A dual citizen, Castillo received no attention from MLS, so he went off to become a key performer for the reigning Mexican champs.

Likewise, El Tri were the first to invite him to international camps, and the youngster claims he couldn't refuse the offer from club or country - and now, is excelling as a slashing left back presence for both..

"It would have been nice, to be from the U.S. and play for the U.S.," Castillo told the New York Times. "I was wondering what the U.S. was thinking, why they were not calling me."

"There are going to be people who are going to hate you because you didn't come play in the U.S. - but what can you say? Now, I'm in Mexico."