Photos courtesy of @brettballachino
In pursuit of earning a playoff spot in the Valley Division, FC Buffalo men’s team eagerly searched for a positive result against division favorites Fort Wayne last Wednesday.
Although the Wolves came out with one point in a drama-filled 1-1 draw, FCB fans at Robert Rich All-High Stadium witnessed history as Ander Castillo became the men’s all-time leading scorer with 19 goals.
Captain Max Kwitchoff opened Fort Wayne’s backline with a long ball pass to Castillo, who showcased his well-known technical ability to fake past three FWFC defenders and slot the ball past keeper Aurie Briscoe in the 82nd minute.
Castillo becomes FCB Men’s All-Time Leading Scorer
[ RELATED: Castillo becomes FCB men’s top scorer in drama-filled draw with Fort Wayne]
“It’s the confidence he [head coach Sean Hallas] has in me, and he always had belief in me since I first came to the club,” said Castillo as he underlined how the club has helped him grow into the dangerous striker he is today. “With the team, he is building trust among one another. I know I can trust someone who can make the pass. Also, I don’t feel pressured to score every time because other players can score goals as well. For example, against Kings Hammer, I didn’t even score, but we came back to win 3-2.”
The Basque kid with the Buffalo tattoo, who has 11 goals this season (nine in USL League Two), has broken a six-year record that was once held by FCB’s mainstay forward (and center back), Kendell McFayden.
“For another guy who went to Medaille University to be the one who broke the record is special,” said McFayden, who, like Castillo, represented Medaille University earlier into their collegiate career. “When he was at Medaille, I was still tracking what they were doing, and he was special. He scored goals, and his name was on the game report. I knew that he was a special player.”
[ RELATED: Castillo’s hat trick makes club history in statement 5-3 win over Cleveland Force]
Castillo is also proud to have broken the record, which was originally held by a Medaille University alumni who is happy about his success.
“He [McFayden] sent me a message congratulating me and told me to pass the record. He played at Medaille, which makes me proud that I’m breaking this record,” Castillo said.
“After he tied my record, I reached out to Nick [Mendola] for his contact. I texted him to let him know that I was happy for him and looking for him to crush the record because the season is still young,” said McFayden.
[ RELATED: All-time Team and Individual Records]
With Medaille Univeristy, Castillo shined in 2022 as he started in all 17 games played, scoring 21 goals and providing two assists.
“What I would say as a forward is the knack of being at the right place at the right time is key to getting those goals,” McFayden said when asked about Castillo’s individual traits and qualities. “But he also has that one-on-one ability, as we saw with the goal he broke the record, and that ability to break down defenders is an amazing trait that any forward would like to have.”
Castillo and his team will take another long road trip to Ohio to face Dayton Dutch Lions at Dayton Outpatient Center Stadium for a 7 pm Tuesday kickoff. Coached by Hans Pascoal, Dayton is searching for their second win this season as they sit sixth in the table.
A win at Dayton would boost the blue and gold’s chance of reaching the playoff, which is one of the many future goals Castillo wants to score once his story with FC Buffalo ends.
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“The next objective, obviously, for me is clinching playoffs and trying to make a run with FC Buffalo. The summer season has been going really well, so hopefully, it just gets better. I have my fall season with UAlbany [Univeristy of Albany], which I am also looking forward to,” Castillo said. “I want to try to play pro for a couple of years, whether here in the U.S. or back home in Spain.”
For the future clubs he would love to join one day, Castillo dreams of playing for an MLS team or two clubs back home.
“Obviously [Athletic] Bilbao, but then my team [SD Deusto] that I used to play as goalkeeper, which is in the fifth division. Inter Miami, too, because of Messi.”
“If he continues to work and do the same thing that is making him successful currently, the sky is the limit for him,” McFayden said when asked about Castillo’s potential future. “As a forward, your job is to score goals, and if you can score goals game in and out, you will get an opportunity to further your career.”
[ RELATED: 2024 Men’s Stats ]
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