Budding soccer talent chooses U.S.

WASHINGTON - If Jose Francisco Torres plays for the United States on Saturday in a World Cup qualifier against Cuba, there will be no going back. He'll be committed to the U.S. team for life, having chosen the Americans over Mexico.

In Torres' mind, the decision has already been made. He's not planning to change his mind.

"I'm committed to the U.S. team, if I play or I don't play," Torres said Friday. "The U.S. has been good to me so far."

Torres was born in Texas to an American mother and a Mexican father, making him eligible to pick either country when he became good enough to warrant consideration as a national team player. The 20-year-old midfielder has made a name for himself south of the border, playing for famed Mexican club Pachuca.

U.S. officials began to take notice of his talent and this year tried to recruit Torres to play on the Olympic team in Beijing. He said no - people were telling him he should wait for his chance with Mexico - but he accepted the invitation to join the Americans this week as they prepared for Cuba and for Wednesday's match against Trinidad and Tobago.

"It's a hard decision," Torres said, "because I was born in the U.S., and the U.S. has been calling since the Olympic Games. In Mexico, that's where I made my career. Mexico's given me everything. They've made me the player I am now.

"It's my decision, I made it, and I'm happy with the decision I made."