New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Santi Castaño has turned down a call-up from the United States U-20 national team to instead accept an invitation to train with the Colombian side.
The 19-year-old shot stopper has been with the United States national team picture since the age of 13, but the Colombian Federation (FCF) confirmed he was part of coach Carlos Restrepo’s side called up to train prior to the CONCACAF U-20 championships which will take place in mid-January and early February.
The United States was so sure Castaño would take part in their camp in Honduras, head coach Tab Ramos named him to his squad and he was announced as part of the roster on USSoccer.com.
Instead, the Queens, NY native showed up in California to train with the Colombian camp.
Castaño has split time with SC Freiburg goalkeeper Zack Steffen this year, with the pair starting six of the team’s seven matches so far in 2014. Castaño himself collected four of those six starts, posting a clean sheet exactly one month ago against the Republic of Ireland.
He joined the New York Red Bulls academy at age 13 and played with every level of their setup before earning a homegrown professional contract in 2012. He has yet to make a senior appearance, serving as the #3 goalkeeper the last two seasons behind Luis Robles and Ryan Meara.
The teen has previously stated his desire to play for Colombia, the country of birth for both his parents. “That’s one of my dreams,” he told Colombiagol.com earlier this year. “Colombia is more than just a country, it is an honor for me.”
US Soccer has confirmed Castaño’s call-up to Colombia, according to MLSSoccer.com.