Dynamo's Erick Torres vows to keep working after Gold Cup snub

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Erick Torres' Mexico dreams have been put on hold.

The striker's rise from the Dynamo bench and a loan that could have sent him out of MLS forever to league-leading scorer has been one of the best stories of the 2017 season.

It meant that for the first time in three years, Torres put himself on the radar for a call-up to the Mexico national team. With two tournaments this summer, Torres had tangible hope that he may get a chance to play in the Gold Cup.

Those hopes increased when he was named to the preliminary 40-man roster. They were dashed over the weekend when Mexico released its final 23-man roster for the July competition and Torres was not on it.

"There is no doubt that being called on the 40-man roster there was hope to be there," Torres said Monday through a translator. "I think I have had a good season thus far. I have worked very hard in order to be with the senior national team."

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Torres did not score for the Dynamo in 2015 and 2016, but he wasted no time shaking those memories this year. He scored on a free kick in a season opening win over Seattle Sounders FC.

More goals followed, bringing his total to 10. He led the league for a month before Chicago's Nemanja Nikolic passed him. They are the only two in double digits.

Dynamo forward Erick Torres has four caps and one goal with the Mexico national team. He hoped to get more caps during July's Gold Cup, but Mexico did not list him on its final 23-man roster. Dynamo forward Erick Torres has four caps and one goal with the Mexico national team. He hoped to get more caps during July's Gold Cup, but Mexico did not list him on its final 23-man roster. Photo: RONALDO SCHEMIDT, AFP/Getty Images Photo: RONALDO SCHEMIDT, AFP/Getty Images Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close Dynamo's Erick Torres vows to keep working after Gold Cup snub 1 / 12 Back to Gallery

Torres, who has four caps and one goal with the senior national team, thought scoring goals was the key to getting another call for international duty, but it wasn't enough. He said he talked to the Mexico coaches about their decision but did not reveal the details of those 'personal' conversations.

Torres added that he feels 'flattered' to be able to talk to them.

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"I feel content. I feel happy because the coaching staff is talking with (Dynamo coach) Wilmer Cabrera," Torres said. "I am content because they are watching the Houston Dynamo. They are looking at the way I play. If they decided not to call me up, those are things that happen in soccer and you have to continue to keep working and keep preparing."