Go to a Millikan boys’ soccer game, and you’re likely to hear the player wearing number “10” called by a lot of names: Chicken (a nickname he’s had since 8^th grade at Franklin Middle School); El Pollo Loco; hey, maybe even his given name, Jose Torres.  No matter what he’s called, if you’re at a Millikan game, chances are you’ve heard his name.

The Rams are known this season for their stifling defense, a defense that has notched a school-record 19 shutouts (and counting) in their current campaign.  But, as the saying goes, you can’t win without scoring, even if your defense is perfect.  As another saying goes: you can’t teach a kid how to be in the right place, at the right time, something Torres, a senior, has done since arriving at Millikan.  “I started playing as a defender in middle school, and then when I got into high school I switched to forward, and just stuck to it.”

Millikan fans couldn’t be happier that he did—as part of a potent front line (including fellow seniors Manuel Espinoza and Jonathan Garcia), Torres has made a habit of finding the net, especially in tight games.  Of the Rams’ 19 shutouts, six games were 1-0 wins; Torres had the game-winner or drew a penalty that led to it in at least four of them.  In Millikan’s season opener against Cabrillo, he scored the only goal of the game; in Millikan’s second game against Wilson, which decided the league championship…Torres scored the only goal.  Last week, against West Torrance in the quarterfinals—well, you get the picture.  Once again, Torres scored the game-winner, and only goal of the game. 

“I think he’s the most dangerous offensive player in the league,” says a coach who’s been burned by Torres, Cabrillo’s Pat Noyes.  “Not just scoring either, he’s an incredible passer.”

Torres’ passing is essential, since the Rams are a multiple-touch possession offense.  In big games against Jordan and Fountain Valley (the latter in the first round of CIF), Torres assisted on the first goal of the game, with perfectly placed balls that put his teammates in good position to score—he went on to net one himself in the 5-0 win over Fountain Valley.  His quickness has also cost opponents—in the Rams’ first game against Wilson, and again in the second round against CIF, Torres was knocked down in the box by an opposing defender, earning the Rams a PK (Garcia scored both, which, since both games were shutouts, gave the Rams two more wins).

Torres, to his even greater credit, shrugs off the credit given to him by many: “That’s just a forward’s mentality, is to try and score.  That’s one of my jobs.” 

Not at all to discount the incredible accomplishments of Millikan’s defense, whose total team effort has produced a stone wall that will be remembered in the area for some time to come, but: the difference between a 0-0 tie, and a 1-0 win is enormous.  Today against St. Francis, don’t be surprised if that difference is once again named Jose Torres.  Or Chicken.  Or El Pollo Loco.