Reading United News Release -- www.readingunitedac.com
Monday, December 30, 2013
READING, Pa. – Former US Youth International and current Penn State Abington Head Coach, David Castellanos has been named as Head Coach for Reading United A.C. for the 2014 PDL Season. The USSF and NSCAA licensed coach will assume the Reading United Head Coach position starting January 1 and will be present at the December 30 Reading United tryouts.
Born in Fairfax, Va., Castellanos grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1998, he graduated from Christopher Dock Mennonite High School. As a youth player, he was on the U.S. U17 & U20 National Team where he featured with players such as former Union defender Dan Califf. In 1998, Castellanos began his collegiate career at Mercer County Community College. In 2000, he transferred to the University of Connecticut. That season, the Huskies won the 2000 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship with Castellanos providing an assist in the title win over Creighton University. Castellanos graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.
In 2002, the bi-lingual Castellanos turned professional with C.D. Motagua in the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional de Honduras. On March 30, 2004, the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer, signed Castellanos. He also featured with the Minnesota Thunder and Virginia Beach Mariners of USL. On November 9, 2005, Castellanos moved indoors with the Philadelphia KiXX of the Major Indoor Soccer League. Castellanos played for the KiXX until the team ceased operations in 2010. During that time, the KiXX won the 2007 MISL championship.
Currently Castellanos is the head coach of Penn State Abington and is Head coach of the U12, U13, and U15 Contintental FC Delco Academy (one of the Philadelphia Union Youth Academy Partner Clubs). At PSU Abington, Castellanos holds a 34-26-3 overall record since 2008. He has led the team to two NEAC championship tournament appearances as well as an ECAC appearance.
"David brings tremendous energy and understanding of the Philadelphia Union Development structure, and the goals of Reading United," said Reading President Art Auchenbach. "His youth international, collegiate, and professional playing experience combined with his well-established youth and collegiate coaching pedigree form a perfect balance for his transition to the PDL coaching ranks. We are confident that David’s skill set will be beneficial to our players, team, and program.”
Former Reading United Head Coach, Brendan Burke, will see his Philadelphia Union coaching duties expanded this season as the Union look to build on their 2013 season, which featured three Reading alumni (Ray Gaddis, Aaron Wheeler, and Leo Fernandes) on the Union Roster. Burke is expected to remain a vital link in the Union development pyramid, which started in 2010 and quickly saw not only player transitions to the Union, but also coaches like Burke, and former Reading United Super 20 Head Coach Jim Curtin (now also an assistant with the Union).
"I am extremely excited to be part of a club with such great tradition as Reading. I look forward to this great opportunity and to a successful season with continued wins," said Castellanos.
Additional Reading United coaching staff placements will be announced in early January 2014. Trialists interested in witnessing David’s coaching style and expectations can participate as David will lead a contingent of coaches affiliated with Reading United, YSC Sports, and the Philadelphia Union during the December 30 Reading United PDL & Super 20 tryouts. All players interested in trying out for the 2014 PDL or Super 20 team are encouraged to pre-register at: www.readingunitedac.com/reading-united-announce-winter-tryouts.html
Reading United enter the 2014 season looking to build upon their recent successes including a potential 6th straight US Open Cup appearance (a U.S. soccer record), an opportunity for a 7th straight PDL playoff berth, and continued player recognition within our Conference and All League teams. The 2013 Reading United team featured two players (Jason Plumhoff and Damion Lowe) named to the All PDL Team. Additionally, five Reading United alumni were part of the fifty college seniors invited to the 2014 MLS Combine (Kadeem Dacres, Steve Neumann, Jimmy Ockford, Pedro Ribeiro, and Ben Sweat). Lastly, 2013 featured the Reading organization capturing a coveted USL PDL Communication Award at the December 12-15 USL Annual General Meeting.