16-Year-Old El Paso Soccer Star To Enter MLS Draft

Omar Salgado, the US U-20 striker who left Chivas de Guadalajara a few months ago following his decision to play for the United States, has signed with MLS as a member of Generation adidas.

The 16-year-old, who was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, had reportedly been looking to join an MLS side this season. However, his signing means he is now eligible for the 2011 MLS SuperDraft.

Lanky and standing 6’4″, Salgado is a powerful presence in front of goal, but also has the footskills to handle the ball. The predominantly left-footed player is being used as a high forward by the US U-20s.

?He?s skillful with a good nose for the goal,? US U-20 coach Thomas Rongen told MLSsoccer.com in an email. ?He?s fairly strong for a 16-year-old and already possesses a decent soccer IQ. He?s got a great upside.?

Salgado left Chivas last month after deciding to accept a call-up from Rongen for a US U-20 training camp. The club has a famous policy of only employing Mexicans.

“I wanted to come to the US but because of Chivas, I wasn’t able to,” Salgado told the Yanks-Abroad.com. “I decided I was going to tell them anyway that I was going to come over here.”

Salgado is currently with the U-20 national team in Northern Ireland, where the Americans are playing in the Milk Cup international tournament. They face China on Monday, Denmark on Wednesday, and a third team to be determined by results.

Source: MLS Official Website