Dominic Crusaders

SANTIAGO CASTAÑEDA’S JOURNEY FROM FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER TO THE USMNT IS INCREDIBLE 🇺🇸📈 Four years ago, Santiago Castañeda was playing high school soccer in Florida and taking his first steps with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Now, the 21-year-old Bundesliga midfielder has earned his FIRST USMNT call-up. This has been his journey 👏 ▫️ Left Tampa Bay United’s MLS NEXT program to attend Tampa Prep, prioritizing his education while continuing with Florida Premier in ECNL. ▫️ Helped Tampa Prep win a state championship during an unbeaten season. ▫️ 2022: Made his senior debut for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the U.S. Open Cup. ▫️ 2023: Chose a professional opportunity with MSV Duisburg in Germany’s third division over a planned college career at Michigan. ▫️ 2024: Earned a move to Paderborn in the German second division. ▫️ 2025: Made his U.S. U21 debut against Serbia. ▫️ 2026: Helped Paderborn win promotion to the Bundesliga, scored his first top-flight goal against Hoffenheim in September, and earned his FIRST senior USMNT call-up. Earlier in his journey, Castañeda explained how high school soccer helped him rediscover his enjoyment of the sport: 🗣️ “It is not the best level of soccer, but it brought joy back to the game for me.” He has now made eight Bundesliga appearances this season, scoring once. When he learned Monday that he had been selected for the USMNT, the emotions hit: 🗣️ “Being called up is a dream come true.” 🗣️ “I could hardly sleep after the news because I was so happy about it.” From Florida high school soccer to Germany’s third division, the Bundesliga and now a chance to represent his country at senior level. What a ride. And he’s still only 21 🇺🇸❤️

This is so incredibly well put by an extremely accomplished and knowledgeable HS ⚽️ Coach. He is 100% right. Stop the gatekeeping. MLS Next is doing more harm than good and is hurting the soccer cultrue of this country. BTW, his teams are better than a lot of MLS Next's....