{{short description|American–Belizean footballer (born 1992)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}} <!-- {{Use Belizean English}} --> {{Infobox football biography | name = Michael Salazar | fullname = Michael Dwane Salazar Jr.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/michael-dwane-salazar-jr/166763/|title=Michael Salazar|publisher=Soccerway}}</ref> | birth_name = <!-- if different from fullname --> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|11|15|df=y}} | birth_place = New York City, United States<ref>{{cite web|title=Michael Salazar profile|url=https://www.impactmontreal.com/en/players/michael-salazar|publisher=Montreal Impact|accessdate=23 March 2018}}</ref> | height = 1.80 m | position = Forward | currentclub = Los Angeles Force | collegeyears1 = 2011–2012 | college1 = CBU Lancers | collegecaps1 = 39 | collegegoals1 = 17 | collegeyears2 = 2013–2015 | college2 = UC Riverside Highlanders | collegecaps2 = 36 | collegegoals2 = 12 | years1 = 2014 | clubs1 = OC Pateadores Blues | caps1 = 3 | goals1 = 2 | years2 = 2015 | clubs2 = PSA Elite | years3 = 2016–2018 | clubs3 = Montreal Impact | caps3 = 34 | goals3 = 5 | years4 = 2016 | clubs4 = → FC Montreal (loan) | caps4 = 3 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2017 | clubs5 = → Ottawa Fury (loan) | caps5 = 4 | goals5 = 2 | years6 = 2018 | clubs6 = → Ottawa Fury (loan) | caps6 = 4 | goals6 = 0 | years7 = 2019 | clubs7 = Rio Grande Valley FC | caps7 = 12 | goals7 = 8 | clubs8 = Houston Dynamo | years8 = 2019–2020 | caps8 = 8 | goals8 = 0 | years9 = 2019 | clubs9 = → Rio Grande Valley FC (loan) | caps9 = 12 | goals9 = 2 | years10 = 2021 | clubs10 = Memphis 901 | caps10 = 32 | goals10 = 6 | years11 = 2022 | clubs11 = LA Galaxy II | caps11 = 27 | goals11 = 5 | years12 = 2023 | clubs12 = Miami FC | caps12 = 32 | goals12 = 2 | years13 = 2024– | clubs13 = Los Angeles Force | caps13 = 3 | goals13 = 0 | nationalteam1 = Belize U17<ref>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/concacaf2013/docs/concacaf_u17_men_2009_tsg|title=CONCACAF 2009 U-17 Championship Tournament Recap|date=18 December 2013 |publisher=Issuu|access-date=24 March 2021}}</ref> | nationalyears2 = 2013– | nationalteam2 = Belize | nationalcaps2 = 23 | nationalgoals2 = 3 | club-update = 18 October 2023 | nationalteam-update = 24 March 2024 }} '''Michael Dwane Salazar Jr.''' (born 15 November 1992) is an American–Belizean professional footballer who plays as a forward for National Independent Soccer Association club Los Angeles Force. Born in the United States, he plays for the Belize national team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lapresse.ca/sports/soccer/impact/201604/15/01-4971456-michael-salazar-du-belize-a-la-mls-la-surprise-de-2016.php|title=Michael Salazar: du Belize à la MLS, la surprise de 2016|work=La Presse |date=15 April 2016 |publisher=lapresse.ca |last1=Milano |first1=Pascal }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2017/07/26/michael-salazar-explique-sa-bonne-sequence|title=L'éclosion de Michael Salazar|date=26 July 2017 |publisher=journaldemontreal.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rds.ca/soccer/impact/ce-n-est-que-partie-remise-pour-salazar-1.3332609|title=Ce n'est que partie remise pour Salazar|date=6 May 2016 |publisher=rds.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rds.ca/soccer/impact/michael-salazar-refait-surface-avec-2-buts-1.4579583|title=Michael Salazar refait surface|date=20 July 2017 |publisher=rds.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rds.ca/soccer/impact/salazar-ne-manque-pas-d-ambition-1.2861934|title=Michael Salazar rêve au titre de recrue de l'année|date=11 February 2016 |publisher=rds.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://plus.lapresse.ca/screens/1455e5ed-8369-4fe9-a4ed-27dd24e3ba7b%7C_0.html|title=TOUT A CHANGÉ POUR SALAZAR|publisher=lapresse.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2016/06/16/michael-salasaz-gagne-du-galon-avec-limpact|title=Michael Salazar gagne du galon avec l'Impact|date=16 June 2016 |publisher=journaldemontreal.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2016/07/27/salazar-et-ontivero-en-progression|title=Salazar et Ontivero en progression|date=28 July 2016 |publisher=journaldemontreal.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2016/02/18/michael-salazar-continue-dimpressionner-au-camp-de-limpact|title=Michael Salazar continue d'impressionner au camp de l'Impact|date=18 February 2016 |publisher=journaldemontreal.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lapresse.ca/sports/soccer/201604/15/01-4971455-impact-de-montreal-dans-la-tourmente-a-cause-dune-video-compromettante.php|title=dans la tourmente à cause d'une vidéo compromettante|work=La Presse |date=15 April 2016 |publisher=lapresse.ca |last1=Larouche |first1=Vincent }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.concacaf.com/nations-league/noticias/beliceno-salazar-la-copa-oro-es-uno-de-nuestros-objetivos/|title=Salazar: "La Copa Oro es uno de nuestros objetivos "|date=14 February 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.highlandernews.org/22455/ucr-unfiltered-michael-salazars-mls-step-up/|title=Michael Salazar's MLS step-up|date=9 February 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mlsmultiplex.com/2019/06/17/houston-dynamo-michael-salazar-another-shrewd-acquisition/|title=Michael Salazar another shrewd acquisition|date=17 June 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.memphis901fc.com/news/2021/07/07/get-to-know-forward-michael-salazar/|title=GET TO KNOW: Forward Michael Salazar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.houstondynamofc.com/news/michael-salazar-rebounds-injuries-return-mls-houston-dynamo|title=Michael Salazar rebounds from injuries to return to MLS with Houston Dynamo}}</ref>
==Club career== ===College and amateur=== Salazar began his collegiate career at California Baptist University. In his freshman year in 2011, Salazar made a total of 20 appearances, starting seven of them, and finished tied for the team lead with 11 goals and was the team leader with 28 points. His strong performances saw him named the Pacific West Conference freshman of the year and named to the All-PacWest second team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cbulancers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1881|title=Michael Salazar - Men's Soccer|website=CBU Athletics|language=en|access-date=2019-07-05}}</ref> He also led the Lancers to a Pacific West Conference championship and helped the Lancers finish with the most wins in program history. To top if off, Salazar helped Cal Baptist win the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national championship, with Salazar scoring twice in the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=National Champions!|url=http://www.cbulancers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=8100&ATCLID=205342083&SPID=3071&SPSID=37608|work=CBULancers.com|publisher=California Baptist University|accessdate=July 8, 2013|date=December 3, 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725125110/http://www.cbulancers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=8100&ATCLID=205342083&SPID=3071&SPSID=37608|archivedate=July 25, 2014}}</ref> In his sophomore year, Salazar made 19 appearances and finished with six goals and led the team with six assists. He was once again named to the All PacWest Second Team.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://gohighlanders.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3911|title=Michael Salazar - 2015 - Men's Soccer|website=UC Riverside Athletics|language=en|access-date=2019-07-05}}</ref> The Lancers their second straight national NCCAA title with Salazar picking up 2 assists in the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Hope And A Championship|url=http://www.cbulancers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=8100&ATCLID=205819000&SPID=3071&SPSID=37608|work=CBULancers.com|publisher=California Baptist University|accessdate=July 8, 2013|date=December 1, 2012}}</ref> After two seasons at California Baptist, Salazar transferred to UC Riverside on 10 June 2013.<ref name="UC_Riverside">{{cite web|title=14 Newcomers commit to UC Riverside men's soccer for 2013–14 season|url=http://www.gohighlanders.com/news/2013/6/10/MSOC_0610131029.aspx|work=GoHighlanders.com|publisher=UC Riverside|accessdate=July 8, 2013|date=June 10, 2013}}</ref>
In Salazar's first match with the Highlanders, he scored 3 goals and picked up 1 assist. He would lead the team with 6 goals and was named to the All Big-West First Team. In 2015, Salazar scored 6 goals, this time good enough for the second most on the team, and was once again named to the All Big-West First Team.<ref name=":1" />
Salazar also played with amateur club Orange County SC U-23 in 2014<ref name="NFT" /> and PSA Elite in 2014 and 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://us.soccerway.com/players/michael-dwane-salazar-jr/166763/|title=Belize - M. Salazar - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|website=us.soccerway.com|access-date=2019-07-06}}</ref> Salazar scored 3 goals in 4 appearances for PSA Elite during the 2015 US Open Cup, earning him the 2015 Lower Division Player of Tournament award.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecup.us/2015/10/21/2015-us-open-cup-michael-salazar-of-psa-elite-narrowly-voted-thecup-us-lower-division-player-of-tournament/|title=2015 US Open Cup: Michael Salazar of PSA Elite narrowly voted TheCup.us Lower Division Player of Tournament|date=21 October 2015 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-06}}</ref>
===Montreal Impact=== Salazar was selected in the second round (24th overall) of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft by CF Montréal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2016/1/16/10772220/impact-select-michael-salazar-in-2016-mls-draft-with-24th-pick|title=Impact Select Michael Salazar in 2016 MLS Draft with 24th Pick|website=mountroyalsoccer.com|publisher=Vox Media|date=January 16, 2016|accessdate=March 21, 2020}}</ref> He attracted favorable attention when he scored a goal for the Impact during a pre-season friendly match against D.C. United.<ref name="Montreal Gazette">{{cite web|title=Oduro scores twice in Impact's 4–1 preseason win against DC. United|url=https://montrealgazette.com/sports/soccer/mls/montreal-impact/oduro-scores-twice-in-impacts-4-1-preseason-win-against-d-c-united|publisher=Montreal Gazette|accessdate=February 24, 2016|date=February 21, 2016}}</ref> He signed his first MLS contract on March 1, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.impactmontreal.com/en/post/2016/03/01/forward-michael-salazar-under-contract-montreal-impact|title=Forward Michael Salazar under contract with the Montreal Impact|date=March 1, 2016|website=Impact Montreal|access-date=June 10, 2019}}</ref> Salazar started the season by making 2 starts with Montreal's USL affiliate FC Montreal.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://us.soccerway.com/players/michael-dwane-salazar-jr/166763/matches/|title=Belize - M. Salazar - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|website=us.soccerway.com|access-date=2019-06-10}}</ref> Salazar made his MLS and Impact debut on 7 May 2016 when he came on as a substitute in a 4–4 draw with the Columbus Crew<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/michael-salazar|title=Michael Salazar|website=MLS Soccer|access-date=June 10, 2019}}</ref> On 1 June he scored his first professional goal in a 4–2 loss to Toronto FC in the first leg of the Canadian Championship semifinals.<ref name=":0" /> Salazar made his first MLS start on 2 July and scored his first and second career MLS goals to help give the Impact a 3–2 win over the New England Revolution.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/salazer-scores-first-two-mls-goals-impact-win-vs-revolution/|title=Salazar scores first two MLS goals in Impact win vs. Revolution - Sportsnet.ca|website=www.sportsnet.ca|access-date=2019-06-10}}</ref>
On 2 May 2017 Salazar was loaned to the Impact's USL affiliate Ottawa Fury FC<ref>{{cite web|title=Fury FC acquire Michael Salazar on loan from Montreal Impact|url=http://www.ottawafuryfc.com/news_article/show/787812|publisher=Ottawa Fury FC|accessdate=3 May 2017}}</ref> after only making 2 substitute appearances in the Impact's first 9 matches.<ref name=":2" /> He made his Fury debut on 6 May in a 0–0 draw with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and scored his first goal for the Fury on 20 May in a 4–3 win over New York Red Bulls II.<ref name=":0" /> Salazar's strong performance's with the Fury saw him return to the impact after 4 appearances with Ottawa.<ref name=":0" /> He picked up his first goal of the season for the Impact on 5 July in a 1–3 loss to the Houston Dynamo FC. Salazar would also manage to put the ball in the net in Montreal's next two games, scoring and picking up an assist against the Philadelphia Union on 19 July in a 2–1 win and scoring in a 1–2 loss to FC Dallas on 22 July.<ref name=":2" />
On 28 February 2018 Salazar was loaned to Ottawa for a second spell.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fury FC adds trio from Impact led by Salazar|url=http://www.ottawafuryfc.com/news_article/show/892149|publisher=Ottawa Fury FC|accessdate=1 March 2018}}</ref> In the Fury's first game of the 2018 season, Salazar picked up an assist in a 1–4 defeat to the Charlotte Independence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/charlotteindependence-ottawafuryfc-971222|title=2018 {{!}} Charlotte Independence vs Ottawa Fury FC {{!}} uslchampionship.com|website=www.uslchampionship.com|language=en-us|access-date=2019-07-05}}</ref> After making 4 appearances for Ottawa, Salazar suffered a knee injury that forced him to miss the rest of the season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/dbab5aa7/Michael-Salazar|title=Michael Salazar Stats|website=FBref.com|language=en|access-date=2019-07-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dynamotheory.com/2019/3/18/18269591/rgvfc-the-belizean-beast-is-back|title=The Belizean Beast is back|last=Merk|first=Carson A.|date=2019-03-18|website=Dynamo Theory|access-date=2019-07-05}}</ref>
Salazar was released by Montreal at the end of their 2018 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.impactmontreal.com/en/post/2018/11/26/impact-exercises-options-seven-players|title=Impact exercises options for seven players |date=November 26, 2018|website=Impactmontreal.com}}</ref>
In early 2019, Salazar went on trial with USL Championship club Birmingham Legion FC and scored a goal for them in a 3–1 victory in a friendly against the Chattanooga Red Wolves on 13 February 2019<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bhmlegion.com/news_article/show/995341-legion-fc-wins-first-friendly-at-bbva-compass-field-|title=Legion FC Wins First Friendly at BBVA Compass Field|last=Team|first=Legion FC Communications|date=2019-02-14|website=Birmingham Legion FC|language=en-us|access-date=2019-06-10}}</ref> However, he was not offered a contract with the Legion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.houstondynamo.com/post/2019/06/11/michael-salazar-rebounds-injuries-return-mls-houston-dynamo|title=Michael Salazar rebounds from injuries to return to MLS with Houston Dynamo|date=June 11, 2019|website=Houston Dynamo|access-date=July 5, 2019}}</ref>
===Rio Grande Valley FC=== On 14 March 2019, Rio Grande Valley FC Toros announced that Salazar has signed with the club for the 2019 USL Championship season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/rio-grande-valley-fc-signs-forward-michael-salazar/n-5458071|title=Rio Grande Valley FC Signs Forward Michael Salazar|website=oursportscentral.com|publisher=Our Sports Central|date=March 14, 2019|accessdate=March 21, 2020}}</ref> He made his Toros debut on 16 March, coming on as a sub in a 2–0 loss to Fresno FC.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/dbab5aa7/matchlogs/2019/Michael-Salazar|title=Michael Salazar 2019 Match Logs|website=FBref.com|language=en|access-date=2019-07-05}}</ref> He scored his first goal for RGVFC on 13 April in a 2–1 win over Oklahoma City Energy FC. On 24 April Salazar came on as a sub and scored 3 goals to help give the Toros a 4–4 draw with LA Galaxy II.<ref name=":3" /> He was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week in honor of his performance against LA Galaxy II.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1017075-new-mexico-s-frater-voted-championship-player-of-the-week|title=New Mexico's Frater Voted Championship Player of the Week|author=USLChampionship com Staff|date=2019-04-30|website=USL Championship|language=en-us|access-date=2019-07-05}}</ref> Salazar scored again against LA Galaxy II on 18 May to help RGVFC secure a 2–2 draw. In the Toros next match, Salazar would score a brace against San Antonio FC to help give RGVFC a 3–1 win.<ref name=":3" /> He was named to his second USL Championship Team of the Week as a result.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1024291-nashville-s-pickens-voted-championship-player-of-the-week|title=Nashville's Pickens Voted Championship Player of the Week|author=USLChampionship com Staff|date=2019-05-28|website=USL Championship|language=en-us|access-date=2019-07-05}}</ref> Salazar scored against Real Monarchs on 8 June in a Toros 3–5 loss.<ref name=":3" /> His 8 goals set a RGVFC single season record for league goals<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1027531-salazar-makes-move-from-toros-to-dynamo|title=Salazar Makes Move from Toros to Dynamo|author=USLChampionship com Staff|date=2019-06-10|website=USL Championship|language=en-us|access-date=2019-07-06}}</ref>
===Houston Dynamo=== On 10 June 2019, Salazar signed with RGVFC's parent MLS club the Houston Dynamo.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.houstondynamo.com/post/2019/06/10/dynamo-sign-michael-salazar-rgv-fc|title=Dynamo sign Michael Salazar from RGV FC|date=June 10, 2019|website=Houston Dynamo|access-date=June 10, 2019}}</ref> He made his Dynamo debut on 11 June, coming on as a substitute in a 3–2 win over Austin Bold in the US Open Cup.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lacarganaranja.com/2019/06/12/michael-salazar-makes-his-houston-dynamo-debut-in-the-open-cup/|title=Michael Salazar Makes His Houston Dynamo Debut in the Open Cup|date=2019-06-12|website=Down in the Valley|language=en|access-date=2019-07-05}}</ref> Salazar made his first league appearance for the Dynamo on 22 June, coming on as a sub in a 4–0 loss to the Portland Timbers. On 29 June, he made his first start for Houston in a 2–1 defeat to the New England Revolution.<ref name=":3" /> After failing to score in 10 appearances with the Dynamo, Salazar was sent back to RGVFC on loan, where he would score 2 goals in 12 appearances.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/dbab5aa7/matchlogs/2019/Michael-Salazar-Match-Logs|title=Michael Salazar 2019 Match Logs|website=FBref.com|language=en|access-date=2019-12-11}}</ref>
For 2020, Salazar remained with the Dynamo, but only made one appearance all year, a 13-minute substitute appearance against Sporting Kansas City in a 4–0 loss.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Michael Salazar 2020 Match Logs|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/dbab5aa7/matchlogs/2020/summary/Michael-Salazar-Match-Logs|access-date=2020-11-14|website=FBref.com|language=en}}</ref>
His contract option was declined by Houston following their 2020 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.houstondynamofc.com/post/2020/12/01/houston-dynamo-fc-exercise-2021-contract-options-10-players|title=Houston Dynamo FC exercise 2021 contract options on 10 players | Houston Dynamo FC}}</ref>
===Memphis 901=== On 12 April 2021, Salazar signed with USL Championship side Memphis 901 FC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.memphis901fc.com/news_article/show/1157507|title=Striker brings USL, MLS and International Experience to Memphis|website=www.memphis901fc.com}}</ref> He made his debut for Memphis on 15 May, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 loss to the Birmingham Legion. Salazar scored his first goal for Memphis on 5 June in a 2–1 win over Indy Eleven.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Michael Salazar 2021 Match Logs|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/dbab5aa7/matchlogs/2021/summary/Michael-Salazar-Match-Logs|access-date=2021-11-15|website=FBref.com|language=en}}</ref> He ended the regular season with 32 appearances, 6 goals, and 2 assists, helping Memphis finish 3rd in the Central Division and qualify for the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=USL Championship Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/73/USL-Championship-Stats|access-date=2021-11-15|website=FBref.com|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> In Memphis's playoff game, Salazar came on as a substitute in the first half in a 3–1 loss to the Charlotte Independence.<ref name=":4" />
===LA Galaxy II=== On 3 March 2022, it was announced that Salazar had signed with USL Championship side Ventura County FC ahead of their final USL season before the club moved to the MLS Next Pro.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lagalaxy.com/news/la-galaxy-ii-announce-2022-player-signings|title=LA Galaxy II Announce 2022 Player Signings | LA Galaxy}}</ref>
===Miami FC=== On 3 January 2023, Salazar signed with USL Championship side Miami FC for their 2023 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Miami FC announces arrival of forward Michael Salazar |url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1253510 |website=USLChampionship.com |date=3 January 2023 |access-date=5 January 2023}}</ref>
==International career== On 11 June 2013, Salazar made his international debut for Belize in a 0–0 draw against Guatemala.<ref>{{cite web|title=Guatemala vs. Belize|url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/matches/report/8131/Guatemala_Belize.html|publisher=National Football Teams|accessdate=July 8, 2013|date=June 11, 2013}}</ref> Two weeks later, he was named to their 23-man roster for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup.<ref>{{cite web|last=Karell|first=Daniel|title=CONCACAF Gold Cup rosters released|url=http://www.soccerbyives.net/2013/06/concacaf-rosters-released.html|publisher=Soccer By Ives|accessdate=July 8, 2013|date=June 29, 2013}}</ref> Salazar would appear in all 3 of Belize's games at the 2013 Gold Cup and all 5 of their games at the 2017 Copa Centroamericana.<ref name=":2" /> Salazar scored his first goal for Belize in a 4–2 win over Grenada in a friendly on 22 March 2018.<ref name="NFT" /> He scored his second international goal on 17 November 2019 in a 3–2 loss to Grenada in a CONCACAF National League match.<ref name="NFT" />
==Personal life== Salazar was born on 15 November 1992, in New York City, but moved along with his parents to their native Belize shortly after birth. He grew up in Cayo, Belize. After living in Belize for 18 years, Salazar and his family moved to Moreno Valley, California where he attended Canyon Springs High School for his senior year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/the91stminute/2016/01/get-to-know-an-mls-draft-prospect-uc-riverside-f-michael-salazar/|title=Get to know an MLS Draft prospect: UC Riverside F Michael Salazar|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-06}}</ref><ref name=":1" />
==Career statistics== {{Updated|15 November 2021}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/michael-salazar|title=Michael Salazar|website=mlssoccer.com|access-date=July 5, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://us.soccerway.com/players/michael-dwane-salazar-jr/166763/|title=M. Salazar|website=soccerway.com|access-date=July 5, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Michael Salazar Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/dbab5aa7/Michael-Salazar|access-date=2020-11-14|website=FBref.com|language=en}}</ref>
===Club=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup{{efn|Appearances in Canadian Championship, and US Open Cup}} !colspan="2"|Playoffs !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- | rowspan="4" |Montreal Impact |2016 | rowspan="3" |MLS |17||2||2||1||0 |0|| colspan="2" |—||19||3 |- |2017 |17||3||0||0|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||17||3 |- |2018 |0||0||0 |0|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||0||10 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !34!!5!!2!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!37!!6 |- |FC Montreal (loan) |2016 |USL |3||0|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||3||0 |- | rowspan="3" |Ottawa Fury (loan) |2017|| rowspan="2" |USL |4||2||0||0|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||4||2 |- |2018 |4||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||4||0 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !8!!2!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!8!!2 |- |Rio Grande Valley FC||2019||USLC |12||8|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||12||8 |- | rowspan="3" |Houston Dynamo||2019|| rowspan="2" |MLS |7||0||2||0|| colspan="2" |—||1<ref group="lower-alpha" name="LC">Appearances in the Leagues Cup</ref>||0||10||0 |- |2020 |1||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||1||0 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !8!!0!!2!!0!!0!!0!!1!!0!!11!!0 |- | rowspan="2" |Rio Grande Valley FC (loan) |2019||USLC |12||2|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||12||2 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !24!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!24!!10 |- |Memphis 901||2021||USLC |32||6|| colspan="2" |—||1||0|| colspan="2" |—||33||6 |- ! colspan="3" |Career total !109!!23!!4!!1!!1!!0!!1!!0!!115!!24 |} {{notelist}}
===International=== {{updated|match played 24 March 2024}}<ref name="NFT">{{cite web|url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/52741/Michael_Salazar.html|title=Salazar, Michael|publisher=National Football Teams|accessdate=23 March 2018}}</ref>
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year |- !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- | rowspan="12" |Belize |2013||4||0 |- |2014||0||0 |- |2015||0||0 |- |2016||1||0 |- |2017||5||0 |- |2018||1||1 |- |2019||4||1 |- |2020||0||0 |- |2021||0||0 |- |2022||2||0 |- |2023||4||0 |- |2024||2||1 |- ! colspan="2" |Total||23||3 |}
{{updated|match played 24 March 2024}} :''Scores and results list Belize's goal tally first.''<ref name="NFT"/>
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+ List of international goals scored by Michael Salazar !scope=col|No. !scope=col|Date !scope=col|Venue !scope=col|Cap !scope=col|Opponent !scope=col|Score !scope=col|Result !scope=col|Competition |- |style="text-align:center"|1 |22 March 2018||Isidoro Beaton Stadium, Belmopan, Belize||style="text-align:center"|11||rowspan=2|{{fb|GRN}}||style="text-align:center"|1–1||style="text-align:center"|4–2||Friendly |- |style="text-align:center"|2 |17 November 2019||Kirani James Athletic Stadium, St. George's, Grenada||style="text-align:center"|15||style="text-align:center"|2–1||style="text-align:center"|2–3||2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League B |- |style="text-align:center"|3 |24 March 2024||FFB Stadium, Belmopan, Belize||style="text-align:center"|23||{{fb|PUR}}||style="text-align:center"|1–0||style="text-align:center"|3–0||Friendly |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{NFT player|pid=52741}} *[https://archive.today/20130708063142/http://www.cbulancers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=8100&ATCLID=205246861 California Baptist University bio] *[https://gohighlanders.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/michael-salazar/3911 UC Riverside Highlanders bio]
{{Belize squad 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Salazar, Michael}} Category:1992 births Category:Living people Category:Naturalized citizens of Belize<!-- Category:Citizens of Belize through descent --> Category:Belizean men's footballers Category:Belizean expatriate men's footballers Category:Belize men's international footballers Category:American men's soccer players Category:UC Riverside Highlanders men's soccer players Category:OC Pateadores Blues players Category:CF Montréal players Category:FC Montreal players Category:Ottawa Fury FC players Category:People from Cayo District Category:Rio Grande Valley FC Toros players Category:Houston Dynamo FC players Category:Memphis 901 FC players Category:Ventura County FC players Category:Miami FC players Category:Los Angeles Force players Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in Canada Category:USL League Two players Category:Major League Soccer players Category:USL Championship players Category:2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup players Category:CF Montréal draft picks Category:California Baptist Lancers men's soccer players Category:American people of Belizean descent Category:Sportspeople of Belizean descent Category:Men's association football forwards Category:Belize men's youth international footballers Category:National Independent Soccer Association players Category:21st-century American sportsmen