Vancouver Whitecaps FC striker and 2011 MLS SuperDraft first overall pick Omar Salgado has been called into international duty with the United States U-18 national team.
Salgado and the rest of the Mike Matkovich’s 18-player squad will depart Newark, New Jersey, on Thursday, July 21, for Belfast, Northern Ireland, where the team will prepare for the Northern Ireland Milk Cup, one of the more popular international youth tournaments that showcases the world's brightest young talents.
The USA enter the competition as the defending champions and will be looking to repeat, beginning with fixtures against Israel on Monday, July 25, and Mexico on Wednesday, July 27, before a placement match on Friday, July 29.
Salgado was a part of the USA U-20 squad that won the 2010 Milk Cup Competition, where, as a 16-year-old, he appeared in all three of the team’s matches, scoring his first international goal in a 1-0 victory over China in the tournament opener. The native of El Paso, Texas, was also a member of the USA U-20 squad during the 2011 CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Guatemala.
Salgado will miss Vancouver’s home match against LA Galaxy, but will be available for selection when the Chicago Fire visit Bell Pitch at Empire Field on August 7.
Whitecaps FC host Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer this Saturday, July 16, at 1 p.m. PT and English Premier League giants Manchester City FC, as part of the Herbalife World Football Challenge 2011, on Monday, July 18, at 7 p.m. PT. Tickets for both matches are available at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centres, online at ticketmaster.ca, or Charge-by-Phone at 1.855.6.GO-CAPS (1.866.646.2277).
