Fans in Dallas have seen first-hand the evolution of an All-Star.
Just two weeks before the start of the 2011 MLS season, FC Dallas acquired a young Colombian forward by the name of Fabian Castillo. Tonight, 131 appearances later, Castillo will realize a long-held personal goal – the title of MLS All-Star.
“It’s one of the greatest accomplishments so far in my career,” Castillo said through a translator. “It’s very important to me to be selected to the All-Star game and to represent this club.”
Those first few seasons for Castillo in Dallas were full of ups-and-downs. During his rookie campaign, he scored just two goals – nothing like the Fabian we now know. In 2012, Castillo broke out with six goals and started 23 games for FCD, but struggled once again in 2013 with two goals in 33 appearances.
It wasn’t until fellow-Colombian Oscar Pareja took the reins of the club in 2014 that Castillo took off setting career-highs in goals, minutes played, games started, shots and shots on target. Just past the mid-way point in 2015, Dallas’ leading scorer is poised to re-write his personal record book once again.
“Fabian keeps growing and understanding the demands of this game,” Pareja said. “I’m very glad to see him now as a good example - being young - as a good example for the academy and youngsters that are coming up.”
Part of the example the 23 year-old is setting for young players is to never stop learning. While Castillo will enjoy his opportunity to play with the league’s biggest names tonight, he isn’t content with just taking in the experience.
“I’m going to try to learn from some of the other great players that are around me,” he said. “Being a
forward like myself, I’m going to try and learn from [NYCFC’s] David Villa and be around him as much as I can. He’s such an amazing player and he’s given it all in all the teams that he’s played for.”
Castillo will be FC Dallas’ lone representative against Tottenham, and he’s motivated to not only show the rest of the league what he can do, but to play for the rest of his teammates in Frisco.
“I think there are a lot of other players in this locker room that should’ve been selected,” he said. “[Unfortunately] I was the only one selected so I’m going to represent the team the best that I can and show why.”
