American-born defender Edgar Castillo has been cleared by FIFA to play for the United States, meaning the questions can begin about whether he will eventually be the answer for the team at left back.
Jonathan Bornstein's disappointing showing vs. El Salvador served as a reminder of the lack of options at left fullback, with captain Carlos Bocanegra looking like the most reliable option there these days. The only problem with that is the fact that Bocanegra is one of the team's best central defense option. While Jonathan Spector does play left back for his club, West Ham, he is not a natural left back.
Enter Castillo, a skillful and quick left-footed player whose attacking qualities are unmatched in the U.S. national team left back pool, but whose defensive qualities aren't exactly strong. What is easily forgotten is just how young Castillo is. He's a month from his 23rd birthday and has already established himself as one of the better left backs in the Mexican First Division.
Castillo will be available for selection by the U.S. national team for next month's World Cup qualifiers at Honduras (Oct. 10) and vs. Costa Rica (Oct. 14). As promising a prospect as he is, it seems like a long-shot for him to step in and play a key role in either of those matches, but he could potentially earn a look. If Castillo gets his debut vs. Costa Rica, it would be pretty fitting considering it will have been a year earlier in the same stadium, RFK Stadium, where Jose Francisco Torres earned his first cap for the United States (in a 6-1 qualifying win vs. Cuba). That day, fans at the stadium displayed a sign that said "Torres>Castillo", sentiment that is likely to change now that Castillo is set to play for the country of his birth.
With the immediate club futures of both Heath Pearce and DaMarcus Beasley currently in limbo, options at left back are woefully slim, so Castillo should get a look this year. He is playing regularly for Tigres, which he helped to a SuperLiga title this summer. If he can strengthen the defensive aspects of his game, Castillo could quickly work his way up the depth chart. Offensively, he provides speed, good crosses and a willingness and ability to shoot, a combination that could earn him a serious look sooner rather than later.
What do you think of Castillo playing for the United States? Excited to see a new left back prospect? Feel weird about the fact that Castillo has played for Mexico in the past? Ready to let bygones be bygones if he can represent the United States well?
Share your thoughts below.
cannot wait to see how he does. we need help in this position! i let bygones by bygones the second i heard he was considering changing jerseys!
I agree with those who say Hejduk ought to be on the roster for South Africa, if we qualify. He is not a starter, but he can play multiple positions, is a tireless runner, has speed, overlaps, and always plays at 100%. He is an automatic pick for me and I was never a fan of him in his younger days.
Castillo gets a look because or LB position is weak, he can play MF, too, he plays in a better league and he regularly plays in hostile environments. He would not be intimidated by Saprissa or any other CONCACAF away games. Same goes for Torres.
Orozco should get a look, too. He botched it before, but he is young. If Sacha, Beckerman, Rogers, and Bornstein get several looks, so should Orozco, especially in a place where we are thin.
I am no B. Bradley fan, but saying he does not give guys a look is inaccurate. He has called tons of guys into camp. I disagree with his use of the guys he brought in, but you cannot say he does not give guys a look.
I like Boca, but he is limited and he makes too many mistakes to be a written-in-stone starter. He is good on set pieces — offense and defense — but we could use an upgrade. I think Gooch/DeMerit is our best CB pairing, but the wings are open for competition, in my opinion.
I say plug the kid into the line up and see how he does. The game has subs for a reason.
“Every outfield player touch the ball in this sequence. ”
Except Spector … Oops! (Although his decoy run plays a nice roll in freeing up Clint)