José Rafael "Chiquis" García Torres (born 14 August 1974) is a Mexican former professional footballer and current manager.
As a player, he was a participant in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.FIFA. "2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: Mexico". Retrieved on March 29, 2013.
Club career A midfielder comfortable in the center or on the left side, García began his club career with UNAM in 1992.MedioTiempo. "Rafael García - Veracruz" . Retrieved on March 29, 2013. During the 1994–95 season, he established himself in the Pumas lineup, appearing in 32 matches and scoring 8 goals. In the summer of 1998 he left for Toluca, beginning a six-year stint at the club. At Toluca, García won league titles during the Verano 1999,MedioTiempo. "Toluca 2 (5-4) 2 Atlas" . June 6, 1999. Retrieved on March 29, 2013. Verano 2000,MedioTiempo. "Toluca 5 - 1 Santos" . June 3, 2000. Retrieved on March 29, 2013. and Apertura 2002MedioTiempo. "Toluca 4 - 1 Morelia" . December 21, 2002. Retrieved on March 29, 2013. seasons, appearing in the finals on each occasion. Playing wide on the left alongside Fabián Estay and Víctor Ruiz in his early years with Toluca, García later formed a central midfield trio with Israel López and Antonio Naelson. In 2004, he moved to Cruz Azul, joined Atlas for one year in 2005, then returned to Cruz Azul briefly before finishing his top-division career in 2008 with Veracruz.
International career García also earned 52 caps for the Mexico national team, scoring three times.Mexico - Record International Players - RSSSF He made his international debut on February 7, 1996, in a 2–1 loss against Chile.Morrison, Neil. "International Matches 1996 - Intercontinental, January-March". RSSSF, February 2, 2005. Retrieved on March 29, 2013. In the 1996 U.S. Cup, he scored his first international goal with a bending free kick against the United States at the Rose Bowl.Jones, Grahame L. "Mexico Wins U.S. Cup '96; Americans Look Ahead". Los Angeles Times, June 17, 1996. Retrieved on March 29, 2013. García represented Mexico in four matches of the 1997 Copa América,Tabeira, Martín. "Copa América 1997". RSSSF, August 2, 2007. Retrieved on March 29, 2013. but missed the 1998 FIFA World Cup. After the appointment of Manuel Lapuente as national coach, García appeared at the 1999 Copa AméricaTabeira, Martín. "Copa América 1999" . RSSSF, May 31, 2012. Retrieved on March 29, 2013. and the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup, which Mexico won.Courtney, Barrie. "Intercontinental Cup for Nations 1999". RSSSF, December 21, 2005. Retrieved on March 29, 2013. Recalled to the team for the 2002 World Cup, he played 14 minutes in the opening-round match against Italy.FIFA. "2002 FIFA World Cup Match Report: Mexico - Italy 1:1". June 13, 2002. Retrieved on March 29, 2013. García remained in the team under new coach Ricardo Antonio Lavolpe, helping Mexico to victory in the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup and scoring in the quarterfinal against Jamaica.Saaid, Hamdan. "CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2003 - Full Details" . RSSSF, December 6, 2006. Retrieved on March 29, 2013. Although he also played in the 2005 CONCACAF Gold CupCourtney, Barrie & Saaid, Hamdan. "CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2005 - Full Details" . RSSSF, July 30, 2005. Retrieved on March 29, 2013. and five qualifying matches for the 2006 FIFA World Cup,FIFA. "FIFA Player Statistics: Rafael GARCIA". Retrieved on March 29, 2013. he did not play any matches in the 2006 competition itself. García made his final international appearance in a 2–1 loss to the Netherlands on June 1, 2006.CONCACAF.com. "Mexico and Trinidad & Tobago drop friendlies to European squads". CONCACAF, June 1, 2006. Retrieved on March 29, 2013. New light has surfaced that nepotism was the reason why he participated in the World Cup games of 2006 as he is a relative of then Coach Ricardo La Volpe.
At junior international levels, García competed for Mexico at the 1991 FIFA U-17 World Championship and 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship, as well as the 1996 Summer Olympics.
International goals Scores and results list Mexico's goal tally first.
GoalDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition 1. 16 June 1996 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, United States 1–1 2–2 1996 U.S. Cup 2. 20 July 2003 Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico 2–0 5–0 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup 3. 31 March 2004 The Home Depot Center, Carson, United States 1–0 2–0 Friendly
Honours Toluca Mexican Primera División: Verano 1998, Verano 1999, Verano 2000, Apertura 2002 Campeón de Campeones: 2003 CONCACAF Champions' Cup: 2003
Mexico FIFA Confederations Cup: 1999 CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2003 Pan American Games Silver Medal: 1995 CONCACAF Pre-Olympic Tournament: 1996
Individual CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI: 2003
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