From VCU to the pros: soccer captain Dennis Castillo signs
As a captain, Dennis Castillo led VCU to the Atlantic 10 championship final, which the Rams lost 4-1 to Dayton. CT file photo
As professional teams continued selecting players in Major League Soccer’s 2016 SuperDraft, VCU men’s soccer Head Coach Dave Giffard grew anxious.
He knew his captain from the 2015 season, senior defender Dennis Castillo, had the talent to make the selection — and for him, it was a matter of “when,” not “if.”
Castillo, a Costa Rican native, was drafted by the Colorado Rapids with the 37th pick in the second round. The Rapids acquired the pick in a trade by FC Dallas.
“I’m not at all surprised Dennis was drafted, he’s one of the top players in the country,” Giffard said, “In fact, because he’s international, it’s the reason why he went at pick 37 instead of 17 or something like that.”
Giffard believes that MLS Homegrown Player Rule, which cap the amount of non-American players teams are allowed on their roster, may have had a part in Castillo not being selected higher in the draft.
“He’s a great player and he’s consistent day in and day out — that really is what a professional player is.” Giffard said.
Castillo was the 2015 Atlantic 10 defensive player of the year and was also selected for the NSCAA All-Midwest region second team, capping off his career with the Rams where he started 80 games, the most in VCU soccer history. He amassed 17 goals in his collegiate career.
Castillo was also a member of the Costa Rican U-18 and U-20 national teams as he led the Rams to the A-10 Championship final in 2015, which ultimately ended in a loss to Dayton University.
Print News Editor, Fadel Allassan
Fadel is a sophomore print journalism major. He is fluent in English, French and Sarcasm, and he probably doesn’t like you. Fadel enjoys writing about politics and making people drive him to Cook-Out. // Facebook | LinkedIn
