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Since a young age, expectations have followed Omar Salgado anywhere he’s gone and laced up his cleats.
The 24-year-old forward, originally from El Paso, Texas, signed his first professional contract with Liga MX giant Chivas at age 15, and just a few years later was the first overall pick in the 2011 Major League Soccer SuperDraft of Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Along with first division experience in both the U.S. and Mexico, he’s represented the U.S. Men’s National Team at four different levels.
Now on loan with Lights FC after being the first player signed by 2019 USL expansion side El Paso, he is being thrown into the mix right after becoming eligible to play as a midseason transfer. The first taste of action came Saturday, as one of four midseason newcomers to join the club’s Starting XI for a road match at Rio Grande Valley FC Toros.
In 65 minutes played, the versatile Salgado, playing in the midfield, showed flashes of what could be to come, showed a little bit of rust and showed that he has the edge and toughness necessary to fit in nicely with Lights FC’s preferred style.
Salgado took a few minutes to discuss his first weeks in Las Vegas, his expectations for the rest of 2018 and much more.
Q: Last week, you get your first experience on the pitch with the club. What was your overall experience like? The game was tough, but was there rust to shake off?
A: “Yeah, there was a lot of rust, I think that was the case for all four of us (newcomers). We’ve only been training here for a weeks, and playing out there 11 vs. 11 is something completely different, so I’m really happy to knock that off, and now just look forward to the rest of the season.
Q: What was the main takeaway from the game for you personally as you evaluate your own performance?
A: “In that position – left-midfielder – I need to keep working to get my fitness up to the standard of what it takes to go up and down all game. That was my biggest takeway from playing that position in particular.”
Q: As a midseason signee with a very impressive background, there will obviously be expectations that follow you to Las Vegas. For fans who haven’t had a chance to see you play yet, what can they expect to see the rest of this season?
A: “Hopefully goals. I’m a forward, and I always want to get on the board. Hopefully I can do that, and just help this team win some games here.”
Q: What has the overall experience for you been like in Las Vegas to this point, after training with the club or nearly a month?
A: “It’s awesome, actually. I expected something completely different here, and it’s been a really great month. I’m excited for the rest of my time here the rest of this season. You always come on vacation here, so you don’t often get to experience living here. Living off of the Strip, to be able to really experience Vegas has been great. The tranquility you live in, you get away from the Strip, and you can live a normal life – I love all of it.”
Q: In your career, you’ve had to carry lofty expectations at such a young age. How did you learn early on how to manage and deal with expecations?
A: “I’ve had to learn to be patient. That’s been the biggest thing. Everything tends to come and fall into place slowly. You’re never going to be Ronaldinho in the first game. You sometimes just have to wait for your moment, and when that moment comes … take it. It took me about two or three years. I had to learn through injuries, different coaches, different teammates. It’s all one big experience to learn from.”
Q: Are there guys here who you feel you can continue to draw from, or any guys who you’ve really clicked with so far?
A: “The veterans. Guys like (Joel) Huiqui, (Rodrigo) Iñigo, I have gotten along with them really well and liked learning from them. I like asking about their backgrounds and how they’ve reached the levels that they have. They work hard, and always have a positive attitude no matter what comes their way, and that’s something I really look up to.
