Union add Homegrown forward Sal Olivas

The Union added another Homegrown forward to the mix Thursday, signing 18-year-old Sal Olivas to a first-team deal.

The deal runs through 2028, with a club option for 2029. He’s the 29th Homegrown in club history and 13th on the current roster.

Olivas was born in El Paso, Texas, and holds dual Mexican and American citizenship. He’s the first Union player to hail from Mexico since Marco Fabian in 2019 and the seventh in club history, which includes fellow Homegrown Christhian Hernandez.

Olivas, who stands 6-3 and 160 pounds, scored four goals and one assist in 1,265 minutes with Union II in 2024. He played five matches the previous season with Union II, making his professional debut on Aug. 19, 2023. He signed his first pro contract with Union II on Sept. 8, the fourth player to do so.

“Sal is an ambitious young striker who made significant strides in his development with Union II last season,” Sporting Director Ernst Tanner said in a press release. “He’s a high-pressing player who drives the ball forward and can create chances on the attack. His signing to the first team will provide him the opportunity to continue to develop and learn from our coaching staff and gain the necessary experience by playing alongside our veteran players.”

Olivas was a member of the 2023 Generation adidas Cup winner. He has played for the Mexican Under-17 and U-18 national teams.