As predicted, the Vancouver Whitecaps did indeed select a striker with the first overall pick in Thursdayās MLS SuperDraft.
It just wasnāt the striker that most expected.
Omar Salgado became the latest in a string of expansion-bound attacking players to have his name called first by Commissioner Don Garber, following in the footsteps of 2009 top pick Steve Zakuani and 2010 first overall selection Danny Mwanga.
āWith the first pick came a huge responsibility, and there was plenty of discussion about who we would take,ā Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi said via teleconference. āWeāre delighted that Omar was our pick, and weāre excited to have him on board and have him evolve with the club.ā
The consensus among analysts was that if Vancouver chose to draft an attacking player, it would be Akronās Darlington Nagbe.
āNagbe would have been a great pick for us as well, but heās more of a withdrawn striker, and we have other players who can fill that role,ā Lenarduzzi said. āOmar is more of an out-and-out striker.ā
Salgadoās move to Vancouver has, in fact, been a long time coming. The āCaps first had a look at him in August when he trained with the club, and Lenarduzzi says that theyāve been keen to get him onto the roster ever since.
[inline_node:326441]āWe saw enough during that spell that we had him pegged as the No. 1 pick,ā Lenarduzzi said.
āHeās a player that is very gifted, heās got a great left foot and can play with his back to goal, shielding defenders,ā he added. āIf he gets chances, heās a very clinical goalscorer.ā
The snag in selecting the 17-year-old Salgado is a FIFA rule regarding international transfers that may prevent him from playing for Vancouver until he turns 18 in September.
āWe know what the worst case scenario is and we accept that, anything other than that is a bonus,ā Lenarduzzi said. āHeās shown enough upside that we can live with that.ā
Lenarduzzi did not rule out sending Salgado out on loan, but added that he would be busy playing with the United States U-20 team this year anyway.
Salgado, for his part, was ecstatic to be heading to Vancouver, but was very surprised to hear his name announced so early.
āI was really amazed, I wasnāt expecting it at all,ā said the 6-foot-4 youngster. āVancouver is a great city, and I like the people and the coaching staff. Iām just going to do my best everyday and I look forward to getting started.ā
Vancouver also selected Akronās Michael Nanchoff with the eighth pick of the first round.
āWeāve been encouraged that heās a guy that can get by players and get crosses into the box, and he understand that there is a defensive side to the game,ā Lenarduzzi said of Nanchoff. āWeāre light on the left side, so he has an excellent opportunity of coming in and competing for a starting spot.ā
The āCaps rounded out their day by taking the Notre Dame pair of midfielder/striker Jeb Brovsky with the 19th overall selection, and defender Bilal Duckett with the 37th overall pick.