Edgar Eduardo Castillo Carrillo (born October 8, 1986) is an American professional

soccer Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 players who primarily use their feet to propel the ball around a rectangular field called a pitch. The objective of the game is ...

player who plays as a

left-back In the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield position whose primary role is to stop attacks during the game and prevent the opposition from scoring. Centre-backs are usually positioned in pairs, with one full-back on either s ...

. Castillo is noted for being one of five players to earn a senior cap for both sides of the United States-Mexico rivalry.

Youth

Castillo grew up in Las Cruces,

New Mexico ) , population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano) , seat = Santa Fe , LargestCity = Albuquerque , LargestMetro = Tiguex , OfficialLang = None , Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ker ...

, and played for Mayfield High School under coach Arturo Garibay. In 2002, as a sophomore, he was named

NSCAA The United Soccer Coaches (formerly known as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)) is an organization of American soccer coaches founded in 1941. It is the largest soccer coaches organization in the world, with more than 30 ...

Adidas Adidas AG (; stylized as adidas since 1949) is a German multinational corporation, founded and headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, that designs and manufactures shoes, clothing and accessories. It is the largest sportswear manufactur ...

High School State Player of the Year. He was one of the top players in New Mexico as he helped lead Mayfield High School to two state championships games . He first gained the notice of professional teams in 2005 playing for his local club in the Dallas Cup, one of the world's top youth tournaments. His team made it to the Dallas Cup final for the Super Group but lost to

Atletico Paranaense Club Athletico Paranaense (commonly known as Athletico and formerly known as Atlético Paranaense) is a Brazilian football team from the city of Curitiba, capital city of the Brazilian state of Paraná, founded on March 26, 1924. The team ...

of Brazil, 1–0. Castillo was also a player for the Olympic Development Program regional pool for many years. His younger brother, Noel Castillo, is on the reserve team for

Indios de Ciudad Juárez Club de Fútbol Indios de Ciudad Juárez, commonly referred as Indios de Ciudad Juárez or simply Indios, was a Mexican football club. Founded in 2005 when CF Pachuca moved its Pachuca Juniors to Ciudad Juárez, it was promoted to the Primera Div ...

of Mexico.

Professional career

Castillo began his professional career with

Santos Laguna Club Santos Laguna S.A. de C.V. (), commonly known as Santos Laguna or Santos, is a Mexican professional football club that competes in the Liga MX. It is located in northern Mexico and represents the urban area of La Comarca Lagunera, made up o ...

of the

Primera División de México The Liga MX, officially known as the Liga BBVA MX for sponsorship reasons, is the top professional Association football, football division in Mexico, holding 2 tournaments per year. The league is considered the strongest in North America, and amo ...

. After becoming a first team regular at Santos, and winning the championship in 2008, Castillo transferred mid-season to

Club América Club de Fútbol América S.A. de C.V., commonly known as Club América or simply América, is a professional football club based in Mexico City. Nicknamed ''Las Águilas'' (The Eagles), it competes in Liga MX, the top tier of Mexican football ...

in January 2009. During the off-season, Castillo was on loan to

Tigres UANL Club de Fútbol Tigres de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, simply known as Tigres UANL or Tigres, is a Mexican professional football club based in San Nicolás de los Garza, a city in the Monterrey metropolitan area, Nuevo León. Foun ...

and played for them during the 2009/10 season. He scored his first goal for Tigres against his former side, Santos Laguna, on August 30, 2009. On November 23, 2011, Castillo agreed to being loaned to Club Tijuana; on June 7, 2012, he joined Tijuana, permanently. Castillo moved to Atlas during the 2014 off-season. On January 9, 2018, Castillo moved to the

Colorado Rapids The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver metropolitan area. The Rapids compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference. Founded in 1995, as part of the Anschutz Corporation, la ...

on a one-year loan with an option to buy. Castillo made his debut on March 10, 2018, in a 1–2 loss to the

New England Revolution The New England Revolution is an American professional soccer club based in the Greater Boston area that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), in the Eastern Conference of the league. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having compet ...

. On June 1, 2018, he scored his debut goal for the club in a 1–2 loss to the

Vancouver Whitecaps FC Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club is a Canadian professional soccer team based in Vancouver. They compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member club of the league's Western Conference. The MLS iteration of the club was established on Marc ...

. Ahead of the 2019 season, Castillo was traded to the

in exchange for Kelyn Rowe. He made his debut on March 2, 2019, in a 1–1 draw with

FC Dallas FC Dallas is an American professional Association football, soccer club based in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. The club competes as a member of the Western Conference (MLS), Western Conference in Major League Soccer (MLS). The franchise be ...

. On January 17, 2020, Castillo made the move to

Atlanta United Atlanta United FC, commonly known as Atlanta United, is an American professional soccer club based in Atlanta that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference. Founded in 2014, Atlanta United began pl ...

after his option was declined by New England at the end of the 2019 season. Following the 2020 season, Castillo was released by Atlanta on November 24, 2020. On April 13, 2021, Castillo signed with

FC Cincinnati Football Club Cincinnati, commonly known as FC Cincinnati, is an American professional association football, soccer club based in Cincinnati. The club plays in the Eastern Conference (MLS), Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS). The ...

on a one-year deal. Following the 2021 season, Cincinnati declined their contract option on Castillo.

International career

Mexico

In early August 2007,

Mexico Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...

coach

Hugo Sánchez Hugo Sánchez Márquez (born 11 July 1958) is a Mexican former professional footballer and manager, who played as a forward. A prolific goalscorer known for his spectacular strikes and volleys, he is widely regarded as the greatest Mexican fo ...

called-up Castillo for the three upcoming friendlies with

Colombia Colombia (, ; ), officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country in South America with insular regions in North America—near Nicaragua's Caribbean coast—as well as in the Pacific Ocean. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Car ...

Panama Panama ( , ; es, link=no, Panamá ), officially the Republic of Panama ( es, República de Panamá), is a transcontinental country spanning the southern part of North America and the northern part of South America. It is bordered by Cos ...

, and

Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...

. On August 22, 2007, Castillo made his debut with the Mexico national team and entered at the 53rd minute in the friendly against Colombia. In March 2008 he was also a member of the Mexico U-23 squad which participated in the 2008 CONCACAF Men Pre-Olympic Tournament in order to qualify for

2008 Summer Olympics The 2008 Summer Olympics (), officially the Games of the XXIX Olympiad () and also known as Beijing 2008 (), were an international multisport event held from 8 to 24 August 2008, in Beijing, China. A total of 10,942 athletes from 204 Na ...

. He was called up by

Sven-Göran Eriksson Sven-Göran Eriksson (; born 5 February 1948) is a Swedish football manager and former player. After an unassuming playing career as a right-back, Eriksson went on to experience major success in club management between 1977 and 2001, winning 18 ...

to be on the 23-man roster for the Mexico national team, but he was benched during the game against

Honduras Honduras, officially the Republic of Honduras, is a country in Central America. The republic of Honduras is bordered to the west by Guatemala, to the southwest by El Salvador, to the southeast by Nicaragua, to the south by the Pacific Oce ...

on August 20, 2008. On November 12, 2008, Castillo appeared in a friendly match against

Ecuador Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechua: ''Ikwadur Ripuwlika''; Shuar: ''Eku ...

Phoenix Phoenix most often refers to: * Phoenix (mythology), a legendary bird from ancient Greek folklore * Phoenix, Arizona, a city in the United States Phoenix may also refer to: Mythology Greek mythological figures * Phoenix (son of Amyntor), a ...

Arizona Arizona ( ; nv, Hoozdo Hahoodzo ; ood, Alĭ ṣonak ) is a state in the Southwestern United States. It is the 6th largest and the 14th most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix. Arizona is part of the Fou ...

. He replaced

Francisco Fonseca José Francisco "Kikin" Fonseca Guzmán (born 2 October 1979) is a Mexican former professional footballer who played as a striker. He currently works as a football analyst for Televisa Deportes Network. Club career Born in León, Guanajuato, ...

as Mexico beat Ecuador 2–1. He was called up for the national team again on January 28, 2009, in a friendly against

Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic country located on ...

. Castillo was called up to the national side for

World Cup qualifiers The FIFA World Cup qualification is a competitive match that a national association football team takes in order to qualify for one of the available berths at the final tournament of the (men's) FIFA World Cup. Qualifying tournaments are hel ...

against

Costa Rica Costa Rica (, ; ; literally "Rich Coast"), officially the Republic of Costa Rica ( es, República de Costa Rica), is a country in the Central American region of North America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the no ...

in Mexico City and

San Pedro Sula San Pedro Sula () is the capital of Cortés Department, Honduras. It is located in the northwest corner of the country in the Sula Valley, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Puerto Cortés on the Caribbean Sea. With a population of 671,460 ...

on March 28 and April 1, 2009, but was unable to travel to either match because he had "lost" his Mexico passport.

United States

Under a recent change in FIFA regulations, Castillo became eligible to play for the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

. The new rule allowed players of any age to make a one-time national affiliation change if they held citizenship in their new country and yet have not played in a competitive senior level match for their previous nationality. The previous rule only allowed a change if the player was under 21. On June 29, 2009, he was asked about possibly playing for the United States, saying, "I would play for the United States. I'd want to talk to them first, but I want to play for the U.S. I think it would be a very good opportunity for me, for my career. If they call me I would play for them." Castillo also said, "I have made my decision. I want to represent the country where I was born, the place where I live." In September 2009, Castillo was cleared by FIFA to join the United States national team. On October 31, 2009, Castillo reveals to Mexican media after a

match vs

Estudiantes Tecos Tecos Fútbol Club (often referred to by its nickname "Tecos") is a Mexican professional football club associated with the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara AC. It plays its home games in the ''Estadio 3 de Marzo'' (March 3 Stadium, named for ...

that he had received a call earlier that day and stated "I was called up for training with the U.S. team and I am expected to appear to play against

Denmark ) , song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast") , song_type = National and royal anthem , image_map = EU-Denmark.svg , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Danish Realm, Kingdom of Denmark ...

....I'm hoping to give a good impression". Castillo made his U.S. debut as a second-half sub in a friendly against Denmark in which they lost on November 18, 2009. He then became the second player to earn caps for both Mexico and the United States, joining

Martín Vásquez Martín Vásquez Gómez (born December 24, 1963) is an American former professional soccer player. The first of five players to have played for both the United States and Mexico, he has served as a coach since retiring. Playing career Youth a ...

, who played non-FIFA-recognized matches with Mexico from 1990 to 1992 before receiving official call-ups to the U.S. starting in 1996. Castillo's decision to join the

USMNT The United States men's national soccer team (USMNT) represents the United States in men's international soccer competitions. The team is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and is a member of FIFA and CONCACAF. The U.S. team ha ...

triggered a strongly negative response from Mexican fans. "When I changed to the U.S. national team, it was a hard time for me because people called me a traitor and stuff like that," Castillo remarked. He further elaborated on his decision, ultimately stating, "It's a big priority," Castillo said of playing for the United States. "I was born in the U.S. ...I've played a lot in Mexico because Mexico has been treating me good, I changed to the U.S. national team and I think I made a good choice." Castillo has since been recalled to the USMNT under new head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, and started against

on August 10, 2011.

Honors

Tijuana *

Liga MX The Liga MX, officially known as the Liga BBVA MX for sponsorship reasons, is the top professional football division in Mexico, holding 2 tournaments per year. The league is considered the strongest in North America, and among the strongest in a ...

: Apertura 2012 Santos Laguna *

: Clausura 2008 Monterrey *

Copa MX The Copa MX (formerly called Copa Tower Monterrey, Copa Eliminatoria, Copa México and Copa Corona MX (for sponsorship reasons)) was a Mexican football cup competition that was established in 1907. After a lengthy hiatus that began in 1997, it wa ...

: Apertura 2017 United States *

CONCACAF Gold Cup The CONCACAF Gold Cup ( es, Copa de Oro de la CONCACAF, french: Coupe D'or CONCACAF) is the main association football competition of the men's national football teams governed by CONCACAF, determining the continental champion of North Ameri ...

2013 File:2013 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: Edward Snowden becomes internationally famous for leaking classified NSA wiretapping information; Typhoon Haiyan kills over 6,000 in the Philippines and Southeast Asia; The Dhaka garment fact ...

References

External links

Edgar Castillo stats
* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Castillo, Edgar 1986 births Living people Sportspeople from Las Cruces, New Mexico Soccer players from New Mexico American soccer players Mexican footballers American sportspeople of Mexican descent Santos Laguna footballers Club América footballers Tigres UANL footballers San Luis F.C. players Club Puebla players Club Tijuana footballers Atlas F.C. footballers Liga MX players Mexico international footballers United States men's international soccer players Dual men's international footballers 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup players Copa América Centenario players CONCACAF Gold Cup-winning players American expatriate sportspeople in Mexico C.F. Monterrey players Association football defenders Colorado Rapids players Major League Soccer players New England Revolution players Atlanta United FC players FC Cincinnati players