Santiago Castañeda has quickly moved into the U.S. Junior National Team picture, and now the Florida-born midfielder will get his first big chance this month.
Castaneda has been called up to Mauricio Pochettino’s 25-man USA Men’s National Team roster to face Haiti in the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal series. Currently plying his trade at Bundesliga side Paderborn, Castañeda has quickly become a player many USMNT fans are clamoring to see at the international level.
After coming through the academy of USL side Tampa Bay Rowdies, Castañeda moved to then German third-tier side Duisburg. After two goals and 33 games, Castañeda traded Duisburg to second-tier club Paderborn, where he established himself as a key player.
The 21-year-old has made 68 appearances in the 2. Bundesliga, most recently helping Paderborn to promotion to the Bundesliga last May. Castañeda has since remained a consistent starter in the top flight this campaign, scoring two goals in 10 games.
A strong engine and positive attacking skills have allowed Castaneda to enter Pochettino’s mix for the 2030 World Cup cycle. Also eligible to represent Colombia, Castañeda will be officially locked in for the USMNT with one appearance in the upcoming window.
Pochettino is excited to see what Castañeda can bring to the squad this month, combining him with a mix of youth and experience.
“We are watching him closely,” Pochettino said at a press conference on Wednesday. “He’s a player with great physical attributes. He plays in midfield and can do both the power play and attacking duties… The key now is to give him the opportunity and see how he integrates, see the chemistry that develops.”
Castañeda will play one final Bundesliga game against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday before beginning what he hopes will be a long and successful USMNT career.