BALTIMORE, MD - Vancouver Whitecaps FC selected striker Omar Salgado as the first overall pick for 2011 MLS SuperDraft on Thursday afternoon. The club then used their three other SuperDraft picks to select midfielder Michael Nanchoff (eighth), midfielder/striker Jeb Brovsky (19th), and defender Bilal Duckett (37th).
Salgado, 17, comes to Vancouver as a current member of the United States U-20 national team. Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, the 6-foot-4, 175-pound striker scored his first international goal in his debut for USA U-20's at the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland. Appearing in all three of the USA's matches, Salgado helped the American U-20 squad prevail in the prestigious international youth tournament last summer. In July, Salgado signed with MLS as a member of 'Generation adidas' - a program that encourages early entry of elite players into the league. Salgado's selection made him the first non-collegiate player to be picked first overall in an MLS SuperDraft since 2005.
Before joining the USA U-20 squad, Salgado spent one season with the youth set-up of Mexican giants Club Deportivo Guadalajara - better known as 'Chivas' (Goats). Salgado scored seven goals in 10 appearances with the Chivas reserve side, with the youngster also spending time with the club's U-17 squad.
With their second first-round pick, the 'Caps selected midfielder Nanchoff from the University of Akron. A native of North Royalton, Ohio, the 22-year-old was a member of the Zips squad that claimed the 2010 NCAA College Cup title. It was the first NCAA Division I national championship to be won in any sport by a University of Akron varsity team. In 2009 and 2010, the 5-foot-8, 150-pound, midfielder was named to the All-Mid American Conference First Team, while he was also selected to the 2010 NCAA College Cup All-Tournament Team.
With the first pick of the second round, Vancouver selected 22-year-old Brovsky from the University of Notre Dame. A 6-foot-1, 170-pound withdrawn striker, who can also play in midfield, was named to the 2010 All-Big East Conference First Team in his senior year with the Fighting Irish. During his four-year career at Notre Dame, the native of Lakewood, Colorado, was a three-time member of the All-Big East Conference Championship Team and a four-time Big East Conference Academic All-Star selection.
With the first pick of the third round, Whitecaps FC's final SuperDraft selection saw them return to the University of Notre Dame for defender Duckett. A native of Peachtree City, Georgia, the 22-year-old was the Fighting Irish's starting right fullback during his junior and senior year. In 2009 and 2010, the 6-foot-2 and 165 pound defender was a Big East Conference Academic All-Star selection.
Whitecaps FC 2011 Major League Soccer season tickets start at a base price of $319, plus applicable tax and a $10 processing fee per order, and more than 60 per cent of seats are available for less than $31 per game. To secure a seat and for additional information about Whitecaps FC MLS season tickets, suites, and loge boxes, call 604.669.9283 or visit whitecapsfc.com.
Omar Salgado
Position: Forward
Height: 6-04
Weight: 170
Born: September 10, 1993, in El Paso, Texas
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
Last Club: U.S. U-20 National Team
Citizenship: United States
How Acquired: Selected first overall in MLS SuperDraft on January 13, 2011
Michael Nanchoff
Position: Midfield
Height: 5-08
Weight: 150
Born: September 24, 1988, in North Royalton, Ohio
Hometown: North Royalton, Ohio
Last Club: University of Akron
Citizenship: United States
How Acquired: Selected eighth overall in MLS SuperDraft on January 13, 2011
Jon (Jeb) Brovsky
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Height: 6-01
Weight: 170
Born: March 12, 1988, in Lakewood, Colorado
Hometown: Lakewood, Colorado
College: University of Notre Dame
Citizenship: United States
How Acquired: Selected 19th overall in MLS SuperDraft on January 13, 2011
Bilal Duckett
Position: Defender
Height: 6-02
Weight: 165
Born: January 9, 1989, in Peachtree City, Georgia
Hometown: Peachtree City, Georgia
College: University of Notre Dame
Citizenship: United States
How Acquired: Selected 37th overall in MLS SuperDraft on January 13, 2011
About Vancouver Whitecaps FC
In 1974, Vancouver Whitecaps FC played their inaugural season in the North American Soccer League, and in 1979, the club won the NASL Soccer Bowl championship. From 1987 to 1992, as a member of the Canadian Soccer League, Vancouver won four straight CSL titles. In 2002, Whitecaps FC created a full club model that encompasses professional teams for men and women, extensive youth development and grassroots participation programs, facility development, and the Whitecaps Foundation to support specific initiatives related to health and wellness through soccer. Since 2004, Whitecaps FC have won two United Soccer Leagues First Division championships and two USL W-League championships. In 2011, Whitecaps FC will begin their inaugural season in Major League Soccer at Empire Field before moving into the new BC Place Stadium in downtown Vancouver. For additional information on Vancouver Whitecaps FC, visit whitecapsfc.com.
