Edgar Eduardo Castillo Carrillo is an American soccer player who plays for Atlanta United in MLS. Castillo is noted for being one of only two players to earn a senior cap for both sides of the United States-Mexico rivalry.
Youth
Castillo grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and played for Mayfield High School under coach Arturo Garibay. In 2002, as a sophomore, he was named NSCAA/Adidas 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 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 Juarez of Mexico.
Professional career
Castillo began his professional career with Santos Laguna of the Primera División de México. After becoming a first team regular at Santos, and winning the championship in 2008, Castillo transferred mid-season to Club América in January 2009. During the off-season, Castillo was on loan to Tigres UANL 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 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. On June 1, 2018, he scored his debut goal for the club in a 1–2 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Ahead of the 2019 season, Castillo was traded to the New England Revolution in exchange for Kelyn Rowe. He made his debut on March 2, 2019 in a 1–1 draw with FC Dallas. On January 17, 2020, Castillo made the move to Atlanta United after his option was declined by New England at the end of the 2019 season.
Under a recent change in FIFA regulations, Castillo became eligible to play for the United States. 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." On 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 Tigres UANL match vs Estudiantes Tecos 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....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 is now the second player to earn caps for both Mexico and the United States, joining Martin Vasquez, who played non-FIFA-recognized matches with Mexico in 1992 and 1993 before receiving official call-ups to the U.S. starting in 1996. Castillo's decision to join the USMNT 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 Mexico on August 10, 2011.
