Rafael Arlex Castillo (born June 6, 1980) is a Colombian
footballer who plays as a
midfielder. He previously played for the former
San Antonio Scorpions
The San Antonio Scorpions were an American professional soccer team based in San Antonio, Texas. Founded in 2010, the team made its debut in the North American Soccer League in 2012. The Scorpions played at Toyota Field, a soccer specific stadium ...
of the
NASL and the
Colombia national football team
The Colombia national football team ( es, Selección de fútbol de Colombia) represents Colombia in men's international football and is managed by the Colombian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Colombia. They are a member ...
between 2001 and 2003. He is known for his tenacious style of play despite his diminutive stature.
His past clubs include
Real Cartagena (Colombia),
Independiente Medellín
Deportivo Independiente Medellín, also known as Independiente Medellín or DIM, is a Colombian professional football club based in Medellín that currently plays in the Categoría Primera A. They play their home games at Estadio Atanasio Girardo ...
(Colombia),
Al-Ahly (
Egypt) and
Deportivo Pereira (Colombia).
San Antonio Scorpions
Castillo was a mid-season acquisition for the Scorpions. He was brought in between the Spring and Fall 2014
North American Soccer League seasons and immediately started. He played attacking midfield for the Scorpions and helped lead the team to the 2014 NASL Championship. In only half a season, he led the team in goals scored for the entire year.
In the
Soccer Bowl 2014, Castillo executed a stunning
Bicycle kick to open the scoring. The San Antonio Scorpions would go on to win the game 2-1. Castillo's effort in the final also included an assist to
Billy Forbes on a sublime through-ball that split the defense.
He remained with San Antonio until the club ceased operations in December 2015.
San Antonio FC
Castillo signed with 2016
USL expansion club,
San Antonio FC on February 4, 2016.
Honours
Independiente Medellín
*
Categoría Primera A
The Categoría Primera A (), commonly referred to as Liga BetPlay Dimayor (between 2015 and 2019 ''Liga Águila'') due to sponsorship by online betting company BetPlay, is a Colombian professional league for association football clubs. It is the ...
: 2004-I, 2009-II
* MVP Soccer Bowl: 2014
References
External links
*
*
*
Rafael Castillo in Independiente Medellín Official Website *
*
1980 births
Living people
Colombian footballers
Colombia international footballers
Deportivo Pereira footballers
Atlético Nacional footballers
Atlético Bucaramanga footballers
Independiente Medellín footballers
Al Ahly SC players
Millonarios F.C. players
Deportes Quindío footballers
Atlético Huila footballers
Deportes Tolima footballers
Real Cartagena footballers
Llaneros F.C. players
San Antonio Scorpions players
San Antonio FC players
Colombian expatriate footballers
Expatriate footballers in Egypt
Expatriate soccer players in the United States
North American Soccer League players
Egyptian Premier League players
Categoría Primera A players
Association football midfielders
People from Pereira, Colombia
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