Editor’s note: This is part of a series of stories looking at the individual performances of Defiance players who are under contract in 2025. You can find all the stories here.
Jacob Castro signed as a Homegrown Player with the Seattle Sounders in 2023 after a college career playing goalkeeper at the University of Washington and San Diego State University. An athletic player who came to the game of soccer late, Castro is well-regarded in the organization but finds himself fighting with Andrew Thomas for the spot behind Stefan Frei in the first team.
Born: Dec. 18, 1999 (25)
2024 stats: 19 appearances, 43 goals allowed, 3 clean sheets, 1,710 minutes
Total professional minutes: 3,195 minutes
Year in review: Castro made 14 bench appearances with the Sounders, but established himself as the first choice ‘keeper for Defiance as he started 19 of their 30 games in all competitions, including starting both of their playoff matches. In his starts, Defiance had 9 wins and 10 losses, including a win and a loss on penalties, with a +0 goal difference. His performances in the playoffs highlighted the highs and lows of a GK’s life, as he made 8 saves on 22 shots while keeping a clean sheet in the 4-0 win over Ventura County FC in the Round of 16 before facing 22 shots once again in the quarterfinal against North Texas SC and making 6 saves but allowing 4 goals in a 4-1 loss.
If it all works out: The Sounders made Castro an HGP because his raw ability could make him serious goalkeeping prospect. If he can even his performances out and find more consistency from game to game, while improving his distribution even a bit, at the very least the Sounders could have a serious competition behind and after Frei’s departure for that No. 1 spot.
