World Cup Defender Caligiuri to Join Salsa : Soccer: Former UCLA player plans to donate salary to bombing victims.

Paul Caligiuri, a defender on the U.S. World Cup soccer team, signed Thursday to play with the Salsa of the United States International Soccer League.

Caligiuri will donate his season’s salary to the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing, said David Bolton, Salsa director of communications. It’s not the first time Caligiuri has donated his salary to charity. He participated in a 1994 exhibition called “Rocker Soccer” to help fund the T.J. Martel Foundation and its research for cancer, leukemia and AIDS.

He will appear in the Salsa’s first home game, 2 p.m. Sunday at Trabuco Hills High against the Valley Golden Eagles from the San Fernando Valley.

“It’s a tremendous signing for the Salsa to have a player with Paul’s ability on our team,” said Salsa General Manager and Coach Rick Davis, who played with Caligiuri on the U.S. National team in the mid-’80s. “He will be instrumental and invaluable, bringing knowledge and ability to the Salsa. For the short term, he’ll play in the sweeper role so he can solidify our defense.”

Caligiuri, who is from Diamond Bar and played at UCLA, will keep his commitment to train with the U.S. national team in late May in preparation for international competition in June.

The USISL consists of 55 teams in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. It is accredited by the U.S. Soccer Federation as a third-division professional league.