Impact Select Michael Salazar in 2016 MLS Draft with 24th Pick

After selecting Kyle Fisher in the 1st round, the Montreal Impact claimed University of California at Riverside forward Michael Salazar.  Salazar comes to the Impact after spending five years in the college ranks, playing two years at California Baptist University (2011-2012), redshirting in 2013, and then finishing his collegiate career at UC Riverside (2014-2015).

The 5 ft 11 in forward has been capped four times by the Belize national team, although did not receive a call up during the set of 2018 World Cup Qualifying fixtures against Canada in September.

Salazar registered six goals and three assists in nineteen games for UC Riverside in 2015.  He was named to the Big West All Conference Team in his junior and senior year.  He scored a brace against San Jose State University in a 3-0 win on September 25, 2015.

The Highlanders finished with a 6-12-1 mark while Salazar finished second in team scoring by one goal behind Noberto Ochoa, who is also draft eligible but has gone unselected thus far.

The 23 year-old made his international debut on June 11, 2013 in a 0-0 draw against Guatemala.  He was selected for the 2013 Gold Cup squad and made an appearance in all three games Belize played in the tournament.

His profile is interesting as he seems capable of playing as a front striker but also as a secondary striker. Though only time will tell where he will stand in the Impact's pecking order, the first step for young Salazar is to impress the staff during preseason.