Marcelo Castillo Named Boca Raton FC’s First Head Coach & General Manager

Born in Viña del Mar, Chile, the native of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, has represented Canada on numerous occasions as a youth including the 1987 Peace Games, Castillo attended Coastal Carolina University, where in 1992 he was a freshman starter on their first ever NCAA D1 Tournament team. Castillo moved on to Francis Marion University, where he earned his BBA In Marketing (’99). Castillo played with the North York Rockets and professionally with CSDC Chile Lindo of the NSL and the Toronto Supra of the CNSL.

The appointment of Castillo as general manager and head coach reinforces Boca Raton FC’s commitment to building a team with strong ties to the community.

Upon moving to Boca Raton in 2001, the coach joined local youth club Boca United FC and earned many firsts for the club, including their first ever FYSA State Cup Championship in 2004 and a GotMilk National Championship. Castillo has also coached with Team Boca and the Coral Springs Storm, which as head coach in 2009, he led to the under-19 FYSA State Cup Championship.

At the High School level, the two-time Florida High School Coach-of-the-Year has seen much success in Boca Raton as well, earning his first Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) State Championship as an assistant in 2002 at Olympic Heights and then in 2010 as the head coach of Boca Raton High School.

Castillo holds a Physical Education Professional Teaching Certification from the Florida Department of Education and has taught at Boca Raton High School for over 11 years.

In those 11 years at Boca Raton High School, the nine-time Palm Beach Coach-of-the-Year, and his teams have amassed 10 Conference, 11 District, and 6 Regional Championships.

Castillo has also been a member of the Florida Athletic Coaches Association, South Region Coordinator and Head Coach of the Florida All-State Team for 9 years.

“Here in Boca Raton have so many great players that don’t do much during the summer, which places them at a disadvantage in the national eyes,” says Castillo. “The Boca Raton FC project of getting together good players of a high level, three times a week training, 18 games during the summer break, will benefit all of the players in our local soccer community.”

“Boca Raton FC will be a team of local flavor that will represent us in a professional manner through football,” added Castillo.

Castillo has a proven track record of developing players. During his tenure as head coach at Boca Raton High School, Castillo has coached many college, professional and National team players.

Having worked closely with Boca Raton native and United States Men’s National Team forward Jozy Altidore and his Foundation where he is currently the soccer director, Castillo, who holds a National Federation of State High School Association U.S. National Soccer Coaching Degree, United States Soccer Federation National Coaching License, and a BFUT Level 2 Brazilian Coaching Certificate, has also been involved with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in both coaching and scouting capacities over the past five years.

Boca Raton FC will hold open try-outs in March, and kickoff the 2015 APSL season in April. For more information, stay tuned to bocaratonfc.com.