Bradley selects Torres for Cuba qualifier

Oct 3, 2008 - 5:43 PM CHICAGO (Ticker) - United States coach Bob Bradley has included Jose Francisco Torres in his squad for next week's World Cup qualifier against Cuba after the Pachuca midfielder chose the Stars and Stripes over Mexico.

Pachuca was born to a Mexican father and an American mother. Although he was born in Longview, Texas, the 20-year-old has spent the last five years at Pachuca and is eligible to play for both countries.

The United States have been pursuing Torres for several months, and finally got word from the player earlier this week that he is ready to commit.

"I was born in the US and my dream was always to play for the US national team," said Torres, in comments reported by the Washington Post. "(Mexico) have been interested. They have been calling me for a few weeks now, but I think I took the right decision to choose the US.

"It was a hard decision because I was born in the US and I have lived in Mexico for five years now. My career, I made it in Mexico, but finally I talked it over with my family and they told me whatever decision I make, they had my back."

Torres is one of three uncapped players in Bradley's squad along with goalkeeper Troy Perkins and defender Michael Orozco, who is also based in Mexico with San Luis.

With the United States needing only one more win to secure their place in the final qualifying round, Bradley has gone with a youthful selection that includes Freddy Adu, Jozy Altidore and Maurice Edu.

Eddie Johnson, who has struggled since moving on loan from Fulham to Cardiff City, misses out.

The United States will face Cuba in Washington on October 11 and then travel to Trinidad & Tobago four days later.

Squad: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Troy Perkins (Valerenga); Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard Liege), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock); Freddy Adu (Monaco), DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Danny Szetela (Brescia), Jose Francisco Torres (Pachuca); Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Charlie Davies (Hammarby), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy).