Heritage, pride, and community and three words that embody the spirit of Sporting KC defender Robert Castellano. Caste, as he’s better known to his teammates, is not only a passionate soccer player but a community advocate who embodies this spirit as he navigates his dual identity, planting seeds of hope and opportunity for the next generation
From Palmdale, California. Caste grew up in a Mexican American household. Not just a kid from California; Caste is a proud son of two Mexican states—his father hailing from the lively Guadalajara and his mother from the charming little town of Cotija in Michoacán. Growing up Caste lived in a household where English and Spanish blended together, speaking mainly Spanish with his parents and English with his siblings, Caste was always surrounded by his culture.
Growing up, Caste danced between two worlds. Having started his soccer career early on, Caste bounced between the U.S. and Mexico, growing in his talent and passion for soccer.
“I grew up in Tijuana when I was playing in the fuerzas basicas [academy] with Xolos,” Caste shared. “And then, I kept going back and forth from San Diego to Tijuana, San Diego, Tijuana - just having that kind of, double identity, like I'm in Mexico, and then they consider me a gringo, you know? And then I'm here in the States, and they consider me more Mexican American.”
That duality in culture can be confusing for some, but Caste found his footing and credits his dual nationality for his “spice” and describes his heritage as a blessing, allowing him to not only know one culture but two and being able to live soccer, fútbol, in two different ways.
“I think I'm very fortunate to be American,” Caste shared. “And just kind of be able to have the opportunities here in the States and the same ones in Mexico. So that I think has shaped me a lot because it, gave me a lot of like spice, you know, from both places. So, I'm very grateful for that.”
That mentality of gratitude has shaped Caste, who not only celebrates where he comes from but also gives back to the community that raised him.
“Back home, I wanted to build a company with my nonprofit that we have,” Caste shared. “The whole concept would be under Project Rooted. But I just felt like I was very fortunate to come out of my city. We had very limited resources. You know, our city once was, a very soccer-oriented city. We had some fields, the national team trained out there, and then it just kind of fell off the map, and fields weren’t being taken care of. The sport just kind of drifted and died off, but it didn’t mean the talent did.”
“I felt like since I was able to accomplish what I have accomplished in my life and being fortunate enough with the gift that God gave me to play this sport, I feel it is the perfect time for me to build something back home.”
The project combines the physical training aspect of soccer with the mental mentoring side for athletes in the Antelope Valley and Palmdale area to have the resources and opportunities to grow in their passion and career aspirations.
“I want to make sure Rooted provides the pathway for you to at least get close to your dreams,” he emphasizes, “Or to at least get close to your dreams or be able to set yourself up for your dreams.”
“I feel like if I was fortunate enough to get this gift from God, you know, the only thing that God would ever want me to do is, you know, pass it on and make sure I give back as much as I can because you know without him I wouldn't be able to be where I'm at and make sure that I give these kids an opportunity that I didn't have to maybe take it a little further, and that's the concept”.
That desire to invest in his community and give back to those around him is also a product of his family. Crediting his father for his mentality, Caste shares his family’s humble beginnings and how his father’s dedication and hard work allowed him and his family to thrive today.
“My dad started working construction at 18. Now he owns his own construction business,” Caste shared. “That was because he endured the pain, the struggle, and everything that came his way. And he used it as a beneficial tool to help him become the boss he is today and that inspired me because my dad came with nothing.
“There's a lot of Latinos like us; our dads came from nothing, and for me to speak to the young kids and all the people that inspire me that my dad didn't come from nothing, and he built something for us. So, I want to make sure I at least represent my parents and my dad in that aspect where I'm like ‘hey you came out here and gambled and you came out here betted on yourself and doubled down on your family and made sure you found a way for us.” I will make sure I keep that legacy going in a different environment, which is soccer.”
But it’s not merely about individual success; it’s about lifting each other up. “You got to keep the garden healthy and blossoming,” Caste said, a metaphor as rich as the cultural heritage he cherishes. It’s about fostering an environment where dreams can take root and flourish, where kids can look up and see role models who share their backgrounds and experiences.
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Robert Castellano's journey serves as a vibrant reminder that embracing our heritage and giving back to our communities is not just a noble pursuit; it’s a necessity.
“I love being Mexican American. I love representing both my countries,” he beams, embodying the joy of duality in identity.
Caste is planting seeds for future generations, nurturing the garden of the community, and ensuring that the rich history of our heritage continues to thrive. Because in the end, it’s not just about the game; it’s about the people, the stories, and the shared dreams that bind us together.
