Dynamo coach Wilmer Cabrera not yet worried about Erick Torres

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When Wilmer Cabrera became a realistic option as a future coach for the Dynamo the first thought for many was his connection with slumping forward Erick Torres.

Now that he has been hired, however, Cabrera says he is not worried about his former Chivas USA player because he may never again get the opportunity to work with him.

During the summer transfer window, the Dynamo loaned Torres to Liga MX club Cruz Azul FC. At the end of the calendar year Cruz Azul will have the option to buy Torres or send him back to Houston for a reunion with the coach who guided him through his most successful season.

"I don't hope anything (concerning Torres)," Cabrera said. "I hope to have a good roster. Cubo is now in Mexico. They have the priority. We need to focus on what we have right now and what we can get."

A Mexican youth international, Torres came to the Dynamo in 2014 as perhaps the highest profile signing in franchise history. In two seasons with Chivas USA, Torres scored 22 goals in 44 games. Cabrera coached the team in 2014 when Torres scored 15 of those goals in 29 games.

"He was very confident," Cabrera said. "He was playing regularly. The team was playing the way it was convenient for him to score goals."

The league shut down Chivas USA following that season. The Dynamo signed Torres as a designated player in December 2014 with hopes he could become the team's greatest scorer.

At the time the MLS Player Union reported Torres' salary as $350,000. This year the Players Union reported it at $575,000 – second highest on the team.

Two seasons and 22 appearances later, however, has not scored with the Dynamo. He arrived in Houston in the summer of 2015 but never became favored by coach Owen Coyle. It was expected Torres would have a fresh start before this season but Coyle picked Will Bruin to start at the front of the attack.

Houston Dynamo forward Erick Torres (9) drives the ball during the first half of an MLB soccer game at BBVA Compass Stadium, Sunday, May 15, 2016, in Houston. Houston Dynamo forward Erick Torres (9) drives the ball during the first half of an MLB soccer game at BBVA Compass Stadium, Sunday, May 15, 2016, in Houston. Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Dynamo coach Wilmer Cabrera not yet worried about Erick Torres 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Later in the season Torres was in and out of Houston for international duty with the Mexican Olympic team. When he came back from that the club decided he needed a 'fresh start' and loaned him to Cruz Azul, a decision Torres had a say in.

Torres is still rehabbing a knee injury he suffered with Cruz Azul. That could put a wrench in the plans of the Mexican club since it does not get a chance to see Torres play in its system over the course of several months.

If Cruz Azul turns down the option to buy him then Torres could be back in Houston where a legion of fans might temper their frustrations with the high-dollar player knowing he will be reunited with the coach who got so much out of him.

Cabrera, though, is not thinking that far ahead.

"We have to be sure we don't hope," Cabrera said. "Hope is when you're not well prepared. We need to be well prepared. If for any reason Cubo comes back he needs to be prepared to be part of this team. He knows me, but he knows he needs to earn everything again to be part of this team."