Center back Robert Castellanos signed with Sporting Kansas City ahead of the 2023 campaign following a brief stint playing abroad with KuPS in Finland. Castellanos turned professional in 2017 and has had stints in the USL Championship, MLS and Finland. Castellanos made his debut for the club in Philadelphia on April 1, 2023 and scored his first goal for Sporting in the 4-1 home win over Austin FC on June 10, 2023.
Castellanos developed at the youth level with Nomads SC in San Diego before joining Liga MX club Atlas’ academy in 2016. He launched his professional career in early 2017, signing for LA Galaxy II and started 15 of 16 appearances in his debut USL Championship season. Castellanos spent the next three years at RGVFC, where he played 37 matches and scored two goals.
Castellanos jumped to MLS by signing for Nashville in February 2021 where he scored an equalizing goal in a 1-1 draw at Toronto FC in his lone appearance for the club. Nashville loaned Castellanos to the Tampa Bay Rowdies for the 2022 season where he played 13 matches, including starts in all three playoff games as the Rowdies reached the Conference Final. Castellanos then ventured abroad by joining KuPS, where he started three matches before leaving the club.
PROFESSIONAL
2023: Made 15 appearances in all competitions during his first season in Kansas City, scoring one goal. MLS Regular Season: Started seven of 12 appearances, making his debut for the club in the 0-0 draw at Philadelphia on April 1. Received a straight red card in the 3-0 setback at San Jose on April 15. Scored his first goal for the club with the game-winner in the 4-1 victory over Austin FC on June 10. MLS Cup Playoffs: Played the final five minutes of the Game 2 victory over St. Louis in Round One of the postseason, helping the club see out a series-clinching 2-1 win. Open Cup: Started both games, logging 168 minutes as Sporting was eliminated by Houston in the Round of 32. Leagues Cup: Did not feature. MLS NEXT Pro: Made four appearances for Sporting KC II, logging 315 minutes.
KuPs (2023): Castellanos ventured abroad in January 2023 by joining KuPS in Finland, where he started in three Finnish League Cup matches before leaving the club and joining Sporting.
Tampa Bay Rowdies (2022): Nashville loaned Castellanos to the Tampa Bay Rowdies for the 2022 USL Championship season. He played 13 matches throughout the year, including starts in all three playoff games as the Rowdies reached the Eastern Conference Final before losing to Louisville City FC in extra time.
Nashville SC (2021): Castellanos jumped from the USL Championship to MLS by signing for Nashville in February 2021. In his lone appearance for the club, Castellanos scored an equalizing goal and went the full 90 minutes in a 1-1 regular season draw at Toronto FC on Aug. 1.
Rio Grande Valley FC (2018-2020): Castellanos spent three years at RGVFC in Edinburg, Texas, where he started 30 of 37 appearances and scored two goals during the 2020 season against FC Tulsa (Aug. 1) and San Antonio FC (Aug. 29).
LA Galaxy II (2017): Launched his professional career in early 2017, signing for LA Galaxy II as an 18-year-old, and started 15 of 16 appearances in his debut USL Championship season.
INTERNATIONAL
Castellanos is a former U.S. youth international, having made two appearances for the United States U-20 Men’s National Team in 2016.
YOUTH
Castellanos developed at the youth level with Nomads SC in San Diego before joining the academy of Liga MX club Atlas in 2016.
