Game Previews

EL PASO, Texas – September 14, 2018 – El Paso USL has signed defender, Daniel Navarro of Hyannis, Massachusetts, who saw his most recent action playing with Miami United (NPSL).  Prior to his time with Miami United, Daniel played for SC Sao Paulo in Campeonato Brasilerio Serie D and Campeonato Gaucho in Brazil.  Daniel also brings with him NASL experience where he played with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.  Daniel Navarro joins Omar Salgado and Derek Gebhard, pending league and federation approval, bringing the roster to three signed players thus far for the 2019 season.

This defensive addition to the team, as stated by El Paso USL Coach Mark Lowry, “will be a crucial part of the group we are putting together here in El Paso.  He played at a good level in Brazil and spent time in the NASL, so he is familiar with playing in the US.  As a center back, he is a fierce competitor who is strong in the air and good in 1v1 situations, but even more importantly for us, he is comfortable with the ball at his feet and playing out of the back.  He will add a healthy competition for places within our squad.”

The 27-year-old defender was born in the United States of America and returned to his family’s home country of Brazil at age two, where he spent much of his life and professional career. 

“I am so glad to have signed with El Paso USL,” said Daniel.  “I already have experience playing in the USA, but this will be my first time in the USL and seeing a new club come together is exciting for me as a player.  I believe the El Paso community has a lot of expectations for us.  Combining our work and their support will be important for us to have a great first season.”

EL PASO, Texas – June 13, 2018 – Officials with El Paso USL announced today at a press conference that Omar Salgado has signed as the first player of the newly launched club, owned by MountainStar Sports Group (MSSG).  Salgado will be part of the inaugural 2019 squad with El Paso USL, which is one of four teams to join USL for the 2019 season. 

“We are thrilled for Omar to join the team and be the first ever El Paso USL player.  He is a terrific young man who I believe will be a tremendous asset both on the field and in the community — the community he grew up in — and he is excited to return to as a professional soccer player,” said Andrew Forrest, General Manager of El Paso USL. 

Salgado, who plays as a Forward, comes to El Paso USL with an impressive background, having played for both the United States U20 and U23 National Teams, and in both Major League Soccer and Liga MX. Previously the No. 1 selection in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft by Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Salgado has also spent time training with multiple English Premier League clubs. The terms of Salgado’s contract with El Paso USL include his being loaned to Las Vegas Lights FC for the remainder of the 2018 season. The signing and loan are pending league and federation approval. 

“We are proud to welcome Omar home as the very first player of the very first El Paso USL team.  This is El Paso’s team and nothing symbolizes that more than bringing a true El Pasoan on board as our first signing,” said Josh Hunt, Chairman and CEO of MountainStar Sports Group.    

“This was a remarkable opportunity for us to sign a world-class player with international experience whose roots are firmly planted in El Paso.  Omar is a wonderful person who will represent El Paso well both on and off the pitch,” said Alan Ledford, President of MountainStar Sports Group.  “We are happy to welcome him home.” 

Bio – Omar Salgado

A former Cathedral High School student, Salgado left El Paso at the age of 15 to further his career with soccer giants Club Deportivo Guadalajara, better known as Chivas. With Chivas, he scored seven goals in 10 appearances and was named Player of the Tournament in South America’s U-17 Copa Liberatores competition. Salgado left Chivas when he accepted a call-up for the United States U-20 team, and also has represented the United States at the U-17, U-18, and U-23 levels.  Salgado, now 24, was selected first overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft by the Vancouver Whitecaps FC after training with current English Premier League sides Everton FC and Fulham FC. He started in four of his first 14 appearances as a rookie, scoring Vancouver’s lone goal in his first start against the Columbus Crew. The striker suffered two fractured foot injuries in 2012 and 2013, the second of which sidelined Salgado for the entire 2013 MLS season. After a successful loan to USL club Charleston Battery in 2014, the striker was recalled by the Whitecaps first team before being traded to New York City FC and purchased by Tigres UANL of Liga MX three weeks later at the end of that year. Omar Salgado was raised in El Paso and holds dual citizenship in the United States and Mexico. The striker was active in youth soccer in the Sun City, playing for the Texas Fire Soccer Club. Salgado attended St. Joseph School and Cathedral High School.

About El Paso USL

For more information about El Paso USL, please visit www.elpasousl.com/club.

El Paso, TX – April 25, 2018 – Today MountainStar Sports Group President, Alan Ledford, announced that Andrew Forrest has been hired as General Manager, Business Operations for the new El Paso USL organization. 

“Andrew’s accomplishments in professional soccer team business management and his extensive experience in sales and operations will drive an effective organization for El Paso USL,”said Alan Ledford, President of MountainStar Sports Group. “We are excited to have Andrew join our organization as we prepare for the inaugural season of professional soccer in El Paso in March of 2019.”

Mr. Forrest comes to El Paso from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he was most recently employed as General Manager for Learfield Sports.  Prior to that, he worked for the San Antonio Scorpions Professional Soccer Team as Director of Sponsorship and then as Vice President and Assistant General Manager.  He held previous positions with Playbook Management International, as Senior Account Executive with the San Antonio Scorpions and as Consultant with FC Edmonton and in the cities of Baltimore and Dallas.  Mr. Forrest is a graduate of Roanoke College (Salem, Virginia) and he earned an M.S. in Kinesiology – Sport Leadership from James Madison University (Harrisonburg, Virginia). 

“With the help of Marquee Search, we conducted outreach nationwide to fill this critical position for El Paso USL,” added Ledford.  “We believe Andrew’s experience and background make him an excellent choice to get our organization up and running.”   

Mr. Forrest joins Sarah Nollner, Manager of Business Operations, who was the first hire for MountainStar Sports Group’s USL operation earlier this year.  She joined El Paso USL from Major League Soccer/Soccer United Marketing in New York City where she was the Marketing and Media Consultant for the Mexican National Team, Copa America Centenario, and Gold Cup.  Prior to that, she worked with Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles in US Business Operations.  Ms. Nollner is a graduate of University of Kentucky and earned her MBA in Sports at San Diego State University.

The El Paso USL staff also includes Ryan Schmitz, Sales and Service Representative.  Mr. Schmitz came to El Paso from Boulder, Colorado, where he worked in sales for Xfinity and Assurance Wireless.  Before that, he was employed by the Reno Aces (MiLB) and Reno 1868 (USL) as Communications Coordinator.  Mr. Schmitz held previous public relations positions with the University of Florida Athletic Association, the Seattle Mariners and the Denver Broncos.  Schmitz is a graduate of the University of Missouri.

El Paso USL fans interested in placing a Season Seat Deposit can do so at www.elpasousl.com/tickets or by calling 915-235-GOAL.  Prices and packages will be announced soon. 

“The hometown pride of soccer fans is evident in the entries we’ve seen so far. We are getting a true sense of how the team name will shape the entire brand of El Paso USL. From the team crest to the mascot, we envision that the tradition of the game will blend with the cultural feel of the Borderplex,” added Ledford.

El Paso USL soccer will debut in March of 2019. Those interested in placing a Season Seat Deposit to be among the first to select their season tickets can do so with a $50 per seat deposit at www.elpasousl.com/tickets or may call 915-235-GOAL. Ticket prices and packages will be announced in the coming months.