PACHUCA, Mexico – US national team midfielder José Francisco Torres says he has been given a green light by Pachuca to leave the club if the right offer comes along, including from MLS.

“I already spoke to [Pachuca president Jesús Martínez] and asked him to let me go if an opportunity comes through and yes, if something comes up, they’ll let me go,” Torres told FutbolMLS.com. “If the opportunity presents itself and there is a good, concrete offer, of course I would enjoy playing in MLS. For now, I’m happy to be with Pachuca and I have to stay focused.”

Torres and los Tuzos experienced a rocky start to 2010. First, the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League winners were ousted from SuperLiga 2010 early on, then went on to struggle early in the Apertura tournament. Coach Guillermo Rivarola was sacked and Torres gave up his starting spot temporarily as Pachuca barely snuck into the playoffs.

“[Going through spells] is part of being a soccer player," said Torres. "You're going through a great moment, then you lose confidence or rhythm. That happened to me. But I never dropped my arms. … I knew I had to fight, battle and I showed [coach Pablo Marini] that I wanted to play.”

Torres never saw Pachuca’s decline coming, especially after winning the CONCACAF Champions League in April. The Longview, Texas, native also experienced a magical summer, making his World Cup debut in South Africa for the US.

Despite a first-round exit from the Mexican playoffs, Torres and Pachuca are still in action as they prepare for the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Los Tuzos will face African side TP Mazembe on Dec. 10 in their opening quarterfinal match.

A few good games in the UAE for Pachuca and Torres could be suiting up for a new team in January.

Álvaro Cruz is a writer for Mexican daily Diario Deportivo Récord. Based in Pachuca, he is also a contributor for FutbolMLS.com.

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