Whitecaps go young with No. 1 pick in draft
Posted January 14, 2011 11:55 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
THE CANADIAN PRESS
The Vancouver Whitecaps always said they would use their first pick in the MLS SuperDraft to take the best player available.
Turns out the Whitecaps’ idea of the best player available differed from that of many others.
Vancouver did the unexpected and made Omar Salgado, a 17-year-old forward from El Paso, Texas, the first selection in the draft of U.S. college-aged players Thursday.
The consensus heading into the draft was Darlington Nagbe, a 20-year-old forward from the University of Akron, had the most talent. But the Whitecaps liked Salgado’s fluid pace and the goals he’s scored with a powerful left-footed shot.
Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi said Salgado’s potential made him the right choice, even though he probably won’t be able to dress for Vancouver until he turns 18 on Sept. 10.
FIFA rules prevent players from transferring to clubs outside their country until their 18th birthday.
“We feel we have a player with great playing ability now (who) has demonstrated he has a huge potential,” Lenarduzzi said in a telephone conference call from Baltimore, where the draft was held.
“Nagbe would have been a great pick for us as well. Nagbe, however, is more of a withdrawn striker. Omar is more of an out and out striker. We have players that can play a similar role to the one that Nagbe plays.”
Three straight University of Akron players were selected after Salgado. The NCAA champions accounted for five of the first eight picks in the draft.
The Portland Timbers quickly scooped up Nagbe with the second pick. D.C. United took midfielder Perry Kitchen and Chivas USA grabbed defender Zarek Valentin.
Wayne Rooney’s younger brother John was taken by the New York Red Bulls in the second round.
Nagbe, who was named NCAA player of the year earlier this month, sent mixed messages about the idea of playing in Vancouver.
In an interview with ESPN, Nagbe made it clear he wanted to play in the U.S.
“They (Vancouver) knew it was a preference of mine growing in the United States,” he said. “So maybe that played a role in it, maybe it didn’t. But I’m happy to be in Portland and I’m excited.”
Nagbe seemed to back off his comments later in the day.
“I gladly would have played for Vancouver,” he said during a telephone conference call.
“Growing up in the United States I like this country but any team I was drafted to, I would gladly be a man and go there and play.”
Nagbe shrugged off going second in the draft.
“It’s a draft, a bunch of things happen on draft day,” he said. “I wasn’t surprised. There were a bunch of good players.”
Lenarduzzi said Nagbe’s preferences did not factor in the Whitecaps’ decision.
“We spoke with Darlington himself,” Lenarduzzi said. “Darlington indicated he would be happy to go to whoever wanted him the most.
“We were satisfied that was not going to be an issue and, in fact, really wasn’t a determining factor in our decision making process.”
The Timbers, who like Vancouver will play their inaugural MLS season, were thrilled to have Nagbe land in their laps.
“Very surprised and absolutely ecstatic,” said Timbers coach John Spencer.
Salgado, a member of the U.S. Under-20 team, seemed as surprised as anyone to be the first pick.
“I was really amazed,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting it at all.
“I knew Vancouver had interest in me. I never thought they would take me with the first pick.”
Salgado spent three months with the Whitecaps this summer when they competed in the U.S. Soccer Federation Division 2. He impressed the coaching staff with his ability to shield the ball from defenders and play with his back to the goal.
“We did our due diligence and looked at the other (players) available,” said Lenarduzzi.
“We felt based on our initial look at Omar, and the people we talked to in the game whose opinion we respect, we felt in spite of the fact we may have an issue with him not playing until September, he showed a significant enough upside that we were prepared to live with that.”
Toronto FC didn’t have a first-round pick and waited until 26th to select Demitrius Omphroy, a defender from the University of California. Toronto used the 43rd and 44th picks to take defender Matt Gold from Ohio State and midfielder Junior Burgos from Cal-Poly, San Luis Obispo.
Vancouver used its other first-round pick, the eighth overall selection acquired in an earlier trade with Toronto, to take five-foot-eight Akron midfielder Michael Nanchoff. He had 10 goals and nine assists for the Zips last season.
Lenarduzzi said Nanchoff has the potential challenge for a starting position this season.
“We have a need on the left side of midfield,” said Lenarduzzi. “He is a guy that can get by people, get those crosses into the box.
“He is a player that also understands there is a defensive side of the game that needs to be incorporated into an overall player.”
Lenarduzzi used to play against Nanchoff’s father and uncle in the old Major Indoor Soccer League.
The Whitecaps added two more midfielders by selecting Jeb Brovsky of Notre Dame 19th and Akron’s Anthony Ampaipitakwong 33rd.
Lenarduzzi was asked about reports that Derby Country captain Robbie Savage has told English newspapers he’s prepared to join the Whitecaps.
The contract for the 36-year-old midfielder expires this season.
“We have had initial meetings with him,” said Lenarduzzi. “It appears as though Robbie has taken the initiative to suggest he would like to come to Vancouver.
“We’re no where near that far down the road. He is a player we are talking to, amongst other players we are talking too.”
Salgado joined Mexico’s Chivas de Guadalajara’s academy system as a 15-year-old. He became part of Mexico’s under-17 and under-20 youth team programs.
He ultimately returned to the United States. Chivas has a policy of only employing Mexican players.
Lenarduzzi said Whitecaps won’t rush Salgado’s development.
“I’ve always been a big believer that if you are good enough, you are old enough,” said Lenarduzzi. “If he is demonstrating early on he’s capable of playing on the first team, that’s what he will be doing.
“If he needs time to develop a little bit more, then we want to take that time.”
Vancouver received the first pick in SuperDraft after winning a coin toss with Portland.
All along the Whitecaps said they would trade the pick for an established player or the right offer.
“There were multiple conversations taking place with other clubs about our first pick,” Lenarduzzi said. “We didn’t feel any of the offers were worthy of the potential we see in Omar.”
