Mexico calls up 20-year-old U.S.-born Castillo

• by Mike Woitalla  @MikeWoitalla, Aug 21, 2007

Edgar Castillo, who was born and raised in Las Cruces, N.M., has been named to Mexico's roster by Coach Hugo Sanchez for El Tri's friendly against Colombia in Commerce City, Colo., on Wednesday. Castillo, who has dual citizenship, has not been called into U.S. national team or Olympic (U-23) camps despite starting at left back for Santos Laguna of the Mexican First Division since January.

Sanchez has chosen a young squad for the friendly to help Mexico's U-23 team prepare for its Olympic qualifying campaign.

Castillo, who played his youth soccer for New Mexico club Strikers FC, debuted for Santos in April of 2006.

In 2005, Edgar and and his younger brother, Noel, attended a tryout for young players at Santos. Out of the 300 players, they were among the eight who were chosen and offered long-term contracts.

Edgar Castillo started and played the full 90 minutes in the Santos' first three games of this season -- wins over Cruz Azul, Toluca and Veracruz.

He played in 18 of Santos 21 Clausura 2007 games.

MEXICO ROSTER
Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (America), Alfonso Blanco (Pachuca), Jonathan Orozco (Monterrey).

Defenders: Omar Esparza (Guadalajara), Severo Meza (Monterrey), Julio Dominguez (Cruz Azul), Edgar Mejia (Guadalajara), Jonny Magallon (Guadalajara), Hector Moreno (Pumas), Adrian Alderete (Morelia), Efrain Velarde (Pumas).

Midfielders: Emmanuel Cerda (Tigres), Jose Guerrero (Atlante), Jaime Correa (Pachuca), Patricio Araujo (Guadalajara), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Jorge Hernandez (Atlas), Gerardo Rodriguez (Pachuca), Edgar Castillo (Santos).

Forwards: Omar Bravo (Guadalajara), Luis Angel Landin (Morelia), Santiago Fernandez (America), Enrique Esqueda (America), Cesar Villaluz (Cruz Azul).