Juan Pablo Torres is settling in well to life as an NYCFC player.
The American youth international is a few weeks into life back in his home country, following a spell abroad in Europe with Lokeren.
Now in Orlando with City on the second leg of preseason, the 19-year old midfielder is looking forward to his first Major League Soccer campaign with the Boys in Blue.
Torres has 90 minutes in his legs through two preseason games, featuring in the first half vs. Copenhagen and the second half vs. AIK in Abu Dhabi.
Torres told NYCFC.com: “Abu Dhabi was a good experience. It’s always great to see foreign countries and to see the culture, but to also be focused and to train.
“We worked on a lot of tactics there, on our movements offensively and defensively. It was a good training camp and now we’re transitioning here in Orlando to get ready for the first game.”
It’s a big 2019 for Torres, who is likely to be a part of Tab Ramos’s U.S. U-20 squad at the U-20 World Cup in Poland in May.
Juan Pablo was an integral part of the squad which qualified for the tournament as a result of winning the CONCACAF Championships, scoring four goals along the way.
This experience in the U.S. youth setup has also made it easier to settle into life at NYCFC, with several familiar faces to help him find his way, as he explains: “I’ve known a lot of the guys from the youth national team so that helped to know some familiar faces coming into it.
“I’ve known Jonathan Lewis for a long time, he played in the last U-20 cycle and I’ve been to a couple of camps with James Sands – with all the youth international guys we’re all in the mix together and everyone knows everyone.
“All the new guys that I’ve met have all been very friendly and welcoming me to the team to help me settle in.
“Everyone’s been getting along and the chemistry has been looking good, so I’m happy to be here continuing to build on that for the season.”
Torres will compete for minutes in a strong NYCFC midfield in 2019, joining Justin Haak, Keaton Parks and Tony Rocha as one of three new options for Domènec Torrent across the middle third.
Upon signing, Torres described it as an “easy decision”.
He said: “The Club has been able to establish itself as one of the leading teams in the country. When NYCFC offered me a deal—it was an easy decision. I’m looking forward to learning from Coach Torrent and his technical team. I will always give my all for the Club and I am ready to help the team as much as I can.”
Juan Pablo and his teammates return to the field on Saturday evening at the Orlando City Invitational vs. the hosts in Florida.
We’ll have a match recap and highlights here on NYCFC.com after the game.
Autore: Stefano Bentivogli
Other news - Focus
Other news
- 13:35 One absent for New York City FC for the trip to Charlotte
- 13:29 New York City FC 2024 team numbers confirmed
- 16:52 Three Keys of NYCFC 0-0 Red Bulls
- 16:23 NYCFC 0-0 Red Bulls, Cushing: "Incredible atmosphere at Yankee Stadium"
- 01:20 The Knicks can sacrifice Immanuel Quickley for a star
- 00:01 Maxi Moralez: "I can't wait to be reunited with the fans"
- 23:00 Maxi Moralez back to NYCFC: "I couldn’t be more excited"
- 22:03 David Lee: "Maxi will bring leadership and experience to our group"
- 22:00 OFFICIAL - Maxi Moralez Returns to New York City Football Club
- 13:00 David Lee: "We're excited to integrate Fernandez into the team"
- 07:20 NYCFC Signs Argentinian Forward Julián Fernández
- 15:30 Bernardeschi can leave Toronto: there is interest from an Italian club
- 14:30 Los Angeles Galaxy crazy offer to Hriving Lozano
- 13:42 CR7: "Saudi Pro League is much better than the MLS"
- 18:44 NYCFC, failing season. The trend needs to be reversed
- 17:27 Birk Risa: "I'm happy to be here, I can't wait to get started"
- 15:39 OFFICIAL - NYCFC Signs Norwegian Defender Birk Risa
- 13:44 Taty Castellanos moves to Lazio
- 13:40 Inter Miami, Alba también se sumará al proyecto
- 23:36 OFFICIAL - Inter Miami, Gerardo Martino named new coach
- 22:58 Timothy Weah has landed in Turin, he will be a Juventus player
- 22:56 OFFICIAL - Kai Havertz is a new Arsenal player
- 15:30 Bayern Munich on Kane, there is an agreement on the contract but not the one with Tottenham
- 14:30 West Ham reject Arsenal's third offer for Rice. Manchester City are considering withdrawing from the auction
- 13:24 Mbappé at Real, the striker's mother-agent is the key: she will be the one to deal with PSG
- 19:15 OFFICIAL - "Welcome to Finnesota". Center forward Pukki restarts from MLS
- 19:13 OFFICIAL - Mateo Kovacic leaves Chelsea and signs with Man City
- 18:30 AC Milan wants Pulisic. Berhalter advises the US midfielder
- 18:00 West Ham: 100 million not enough for Declan Rice, rejected offers from Arsenal and Man City
- 17:30 Timothy Weah moves to Italy
- 17:00 NYCFC may pursue former Vancouver Whitecaps player
- 16:30 Antoine Griezmann wants to play in MLS and rejects the offer from Saudi Arabia
- 15:59 Keaton Parks: "I'm happy to be able to do goal and assist"
- 15:32 Bayern Munich, formal offer for Harry Kane
- 15:23 Andrea Pirlo returns to Italy, signs with Sampdoria
- 13:28 Manchester City's Champions League win could impact NYCFC's future
- 12:00 James Sands Selected To Represent The USMNT At The 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup
- 08:30 Lionel Messi lands in the MLS: pros and cons
- 23:48 Real Salt Lake vs NYCFC: one player unavailable for Cushing
- 23:46 NYCFC, Cushing: “We’re Desperate For The First Road Win"
- 22:34 MLS statement on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF
- 21:54 OFFICIAL - Messi is a new player of Inter Miami FC
- 19:09 Messi's signing with Inter Miami FC