Castillo “Grateful” for Being a Rapid in 2016

By Brian Jennings

As the only rookie still on the squad as Colorado wrapped up their 2016 MLS season in the Western Conference finals, Dennis Castillo came into the Rapids at the best possible time to learn some invaluable lessons.  “You just never know how it’s going to turn out-if you’re going to get a lot of minutes or not,” said Castillo, who at one time was a Portland Timber prospect.  “In the end, I’m still part of a team that’s shown me how to reach the highest levels in this league.  I’ll take that as a positive thing that happened to me.”

“Actually, I thought it was going to be harder,” Castillo told The Voice of C38 regarding joining the Rapids following a successful college career at Virginia Commonwealth University.  “It was because I had a couple of experiences in other MLS teams before coming in here.  I thought it was going to just be the same setup but every team is different.  I’m just grateful they picked me.  I knew right away that I was a part of a team that shows me how to be a winner in MLS.  The way this team turned things around from last year it’s something to pay attention to.” 

While attending VCU, Castillo played for the Portland Timbers U-23 squad during the 2015 PDL season.  In fact, before returning for his senior season he was named PDL Defender of The Year for that time even registering a goal and an assist in eleven games.  Thankfully for the Rapids staff, however, he was available to them in the MLS draft and was able spend 2016 learning from the coaching staff of Pablo Mastroeni, John Spencer, and Steve Cooke. 

 

A regular sight after training was Castillo staying to work 1v1 with the assistants on everything from positioning to crossing into the box from out wide.  “They really want to work,” he appreciated of the Rapids staff.  “At this level, it’s more about you wanting to get better and not being babysitted by coaches.” 

That work would pay off for the young Costa Rican as he made his MLS debut in April at home against Seattle, even providing an assist from one of those practiced crosses for Kevin Doyle to finish in the win.  After his first start in Los Angeles against the Galaxy during the summer, Castillo saw his minutes diminish as veterans came back healthy to the lineup.  That didn’t discourage him, though, as he concentrated on improving mentally to match the physical part he obviously had caught up with.

“The (MLS) intensity is way higher than college,” he admitted as a big difference after his promotion to the big league.  “The intensity of playing, the thought process of thinking passes or out-thinking players, smart moves on the field.  People are smarter, physically bigger and stronger, but I think it’s more your thought process and how fast you think and how long can you keep up with the intensity.”

“You know you’re going to get tired but how are you keeping up mentally?  Tiredness is going to creep up and be there at any point during the game so how mentally tough are you to stay in?”

The other big change for most MLS rookies is life off the pitch.  Young players are usually in new cities, living on their own or with a new teammate for the first time, and a bit unsure of what to do next after leaving the team facility every day.  However, Castillo says his learning curve was smoother given his previous experience in Portland.  “Thankfully, when I was with the Timbers U-23s, I was kind of in the same situation.”

“You get some down time after practice so I learned there to carry myself outside of the field.  People underestimate it but it’s definitely a big part of it because it’s going to shape how you feel on a daily basis.  You’re out on your own, you have to make good choices, put your mind on something else to get your mind a break of the sport, and keep your mind fit.  You can’t just be one thing you’re going to drive yourself crazy.” 

With an MLS season of success under his belt, Rapids fans hope to see more of Castillo driving opponents crazy in future seasons.  Judging by his work ethic, speed, and willingness to be “coached” Dennis should have no trouble doing just that.