Fresh from another trip to the British Isles, Vancouver Whitecaps FC striker Omar Salgado is back on Canada's west coast after leading the United States U-18 national team to a third-place finish at the 2011 Milk Cup international youth tournament in Northern Ireland.
Playing in The Elite Group, the USA U-18's looked to the experience of Salgado in this year's competition after the teenage goalscorer helped the American U-20 squad to The Elite Group title last year.
He scored the winner in the USA U-18's first match on July 25, as they defeated Israel 2-0 at the Ballymena Showgrounds. However, Mike Matkovich's squad saw their hopes of defending the title won last year by the USA U-20's come to an end with last Wednesday's 1-1 draw versus arch-rivals Mexico at The Showgrounds in Coleraine, Northern Ireland.
Playing in Friday's third-place match versus Georgia, Salgado had the honour of captaining his country's U-18 squad to a 2-1 victory at the Riada Stadium in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland, with the 'Caps striker assisting on Jerome Kiesewetter's winning goal in the second half.
After missing last weekend's home match with LA Galaxy, Salgado will be available for selection when Chicago Fire visit Bell Pitch at Empire Field on Sunday afternoon, August 7, at 4 p.m. PT. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centres, online at ticketmaster.ca, and Charge-by-Phone at 1.855.6.GO-CAPS (1.855.646.2277).
