The Houston Dynamo Football Club has hired Rodo Castilla as the Dynamo Academy’s Foundation Phase Director. In this role, Castilla will oversee the development of players within the Foundation Phase (U-10, U-11, U-12) and support of the Catalyst program which is available to many talented and motivated young players throughout the city. Castilla joins the Academy after previously serving as Director of Youth Player Development for the Dynamo | Dash Youth Soccer Club.
Houston Dynamo Dash Youth Academy Director, Dave Dengerink said that the collaboration between both clubs improves coaches and players development.
“The promotion of Rodo Castilla from Houston Dynamo Youth to the Houston Dynamo FC Academy is another excellent example of the professional pathway between our programs. Rodo has spent three years constantly developing himself with the youth club. His work rate and growth mindset will serve the Catalyst program well as he takes this leadership role. I have total confidence he will continue to improve one of the best developmental programs in Houston,” Dengerink said.
Houston Dynamo Academy Director Paul Holocher said that Castilla has proven himself to be a high-quality developer of youth soccer talent.
“We are looking forward to Rodo joining us and our efforts to support the Foundation Phase throughout Greater Houston,” Holocher said. “Rodo is very experienced in youth development and has been an instrumental part of the Catalyst programming these last several years with our partners at Dynamo | Dash Youth. Rodo has a true growth mindset and is highly collaborative, which is the essence of the culture of development we want here in the academy. We are looking forward to taking positive steps to continue improving how we support both the players and coaches in these important developmental ages.”
In this position as Foundation Phase Director, Castilla will be responsible for supporting coach and player development, player assessments, and player integration to the Dynamo Academy including integrated training, invitational training, developmental games, futsal, and skill builders to inspire long-term development.
Prior to joining Houston Dynamo Academy, Castilla served as Youth Director of Coaching for several top soccer clubs in the Houston area and has been part of the STX ODP Coaching Staff since 2014. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, US Soccer Federation “A” and Youth National Licenses, and is finishing a Master’s degree in Soccer Coaching.
Castilla’s youth development experience is not limited to his professional career. His son Juan Castilla became the youngest homegrown signing in Houston Dynamo history when he signed with the club on June 14, 2020.
According to Castilla, he is looking forward to being a part of the culture of the Houston Dynamo Academy.
“I am very excited to join the club and continue the great work that has already been building in the Catalyst program to develop an outstanding developmental culture throughout the community,” Castilla said. “I am looking forward to working alongside our partners in development and the best young talent in our area.”
For more information on the Houston Dynamo Academy or the Catalyst Foundation program, go to www.houstondynamoacademy.net
