New Mexico-born left back Edgar Castillo helped Tigres defeat former club Santos Laguna 3-2 to advance to the final of the 2009 SuperLiga. Castillo, who has played for Mexico's U-23 team and made several appearances in friendlies for the full national team, is a United States citizen who grew up in Las Cruces, NM; under a recent FIFA ruling, Castillo is eligible to play for the United States because he never appeared in an official senior competition match for Mexico.In the SuperLiga semifinal against Santos, Castillo was instrumental in setting up his team's final two goals. In the 10th minute, Castillo played a neat ball to the Argentine Lucas Lobos, whose cross from the right was volleyed home by striker Jose "Kikin" Fonseca. In the 70th minute, Castillo's well-timed left-footed pass sprung Brazilian Itamar Batista, who slotted home through the legs of Santos keeper Oswaldo Sanchez.
Tigres to Face the Chicago Fire in the Final
Tigres, which does not open the Mexican Apertura season until the 25th of July, will meet the Chicago Fire in the Final of SuperLiga 2009. The Fire dumped out defending champions New England Revolution 2-1 in Foxborough, MA on a brilliant, curling free kick from Cuauhtemoc Blanco in the 63rd minute.
New Mexico to Mexico
At Mayfield High School in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Castillo led the state in scoring for three straight years and was named New Mexico Player of the Year as a Sophomore in 2002. Upon graduation, Castillo crossed the border into Mexico and signed his first professional contract with Santos Laguna, for whom he made over 78 appearances from 2006 to 2008. Castillo's form with Santos earned him a call-up to the Mexican National Team, with his debut coming in a friendly against Colombia in August, 2007. Castillo's stellar play with Santos also earned him a transfer to Club America for the 2009 season; Castillo would make only five appearances for Club America, however, before moving to Tigres UANL on loan for the start of the 2009 Apertura. At Tigres, Castillo rejoins former coach Daniel Guzman, the man who gave him his debut with Santos.
Castillo Is Eligible Play for the United States
Castillo has speculated that his diminutive stature - he stands only 5'8" - hurt his chances of playing with U.S. Youth National Teams because of their inordinate focus on size and strength. When he decided to play for Mexico in 2007, Castillo seemed to close the door on the United States forever; however, because he never appeared in an official senior match for Mexico (a World Cup qualifier, for example) Castillo now has the option of representing either the country of his birth or the nation where he plays his professional soccer.
Earlier this month, Castillo publicly declared his intention to play for the United States, a decision that produced considerable backlash in the Mexican media. “They will say everything," Castillo responded. "They will say this guy is a traitor. But I have to do what my heart says. And that is to play for the U.S.”
Castillo's Competition at Left Back
The United States currently has several imperfect options at left back. Frankie Hejduk is tenacious, indefatigable, and perhaps the United States' most reliable big-game performer, but is more comfortable on the right side of defense, and adds little in the way of attacking wing play. Chivas USA standout Jonathon Bornstein is more fluid going forward, but can look shaky defensively. Heath Pearce, who appeared to have the position locked down only a year ago, has seen his stock plummet after several poor performances in qualifying, although he has looked better in the 2009 Gold Cup, albeit against weaker competition. If Castillo can nail down a starting spot with Tigres UANL he will almost certainly get a look from United States' coach Bob Bradley as the U.S. roster for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa gradually takes shape.
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