Castro came in after halftime today, Eintracht II won the game 2-1 against Norderstedt. Castro had a chance early in the second half, but missed.
No game before April, so for our weekly post here's a pic of Castro training with the first team instead . http://www.eintracht.com/typo3temp/GB/f699f23137.jpg The picture is from an internal training match between the first and second team.
Castro played 90 minutes in a 0-3 loss against Meppen. Outside of suspensions and injuries, he has been a regular so far most of the time. Played 22 out of 28 games, 18 starts.
As expected, he wasn't in the squad for the midweek game (a 2-1 win at Schilksee). Unlikely this season. The first team has quite a few injuries, but DM (Castro's position) is the position the first team has more than enough players for as it is already. If he stays after the season, maybe in the future. Eintracht is quite good at promoting players from the youth ranks - one third of the current first team squad came out of the club's own youth system. Kind of depends on the first team's transfers too... the club has already signed a new d-mid for next season, and although two long-time players on that position will leave/retire the midfield will probably remain crowded.
Man, this thread has been going a long time! If he were getting minutes in the B2 at 20, he'd be considered a MNT candidate...
Castro returned for a 1-1 against Havelse. He played 90 minutes again. The team right now has been hit hard by injuries and had to play with quite a few youth players to fill in. Eintracht II is savely mid-table, though and neither involved with promotion nor relegation.
This article, or at least the caption, seems to suggest that he might be up for a B2 debut soon. Voller Einsatz: Omar Castro im Regionalliga-Spiel gegen Havelse. Am Sonntag könnte der US-Boy sein Zweitligadebüt feiern. Foto: Agentur Hübner ... Ein weiterer Nachwuchsspieler steht am Sonntag vielleicht vor seiner Premiere in der 2. Bundesliga: „Omar Castro hat eine positive Entwicklung genommen“, so Lieberknecht. Der 20-Jährige US-Amerikaner zeigte zuletzt konstante Leistungen in der U23. Ein andere ‚Debütant‘ bringt da schon etwas mehr Erfahrung mit. Schon vor dem Spiel ist bekannt, dass Jasmin Fejzic das Tor der Eintracht in Bochum sauber halten soll. „Es ist der Zeitpunkt gekommen, wo der Jasi mal zum Einsatz kommt“, bestätigt Torsten Lieberknecht. Ob auch er eine entscheidende Rolle spielt am Sonntag? Am 17. Spieltag rettete Rafal Gikiewicz mit einem gehaltenen Strafstoß den Sieg in letzter Sekunde. http://regionalsport.de/eintracht-gegen-bochum-tradition-und-gegenseitiger-respekt/
Yes, he might make the squad of the first team this season after all. He has trained with the first team this week, and coach Torsten Lieberknecht has mentioned him as having made good progress. The paper today also mentions him as a possible addition for the squad for the game on sunday in Bochum. If he plays, this might be a sign that the club plans to have him in the first team for next season. As I mentioned before, there are quite a few players that can play his position here already, although a few will leave after the season - if Castro plays n the last two games of the season the club likely wants him to stay.
The short guy in the training shirt on the right, if i am not mistaken http://www.eintracht.com/typo3temp/GB/df61ae480e.jpg
Castro has been training with thef irst team again this week, so he will probably be in the squad again for the last game of the season against Düsseldorf on sunday.
I didn't expect this kid to make the 18 for the first team this season, considering that he was mostly a bench player for the U19s last year. Seems like he's made some progress.
A short mention of Castro in the paper today - after some injuries they expect Castro in the squad as well. They also say it seems he made a good impression in his two weeks of training with the first team.
Castro isn't in the squad - the players who were doubtful for the match all got fit in time. It's also the last game for Pfitzner and Vrancic, two long-serving players and both d-mids, so they get their farewell instead. Now the question is if Castro will receive a pro contract for next season.
Castro currently plays in Eintracht's first post-season friendly against Wendezelle. He came in at half-time and is the only reserve player in the squad. Score is 7-0 after 57 minutes.
@Alex_K , according to transfermarkt BS are releasing Damir Vrancic and Marc Pfitzner both of whom are aging center mids who played bit part roles last season. It would make sense in regards to brining up Omar to fill that void but just wondering if this is something you've heard? Is there any other movement you know of or have heard regarding other first team center mids?
Pfitzner might stay as a part-time player - he's as local a player as it gets and he got an offer to continue to play for the reserve team and join the club's staff, which would also allow him to play for the first team in case of emergency. He also has offers to continue as a professional, so it's not decided yet. One replacement has already been signed - Quirin Moll from Dresden. But this has been official for a few weeks now, way before the club has expressed interest an resigning Castro. They have already stated that they see potential in him, and the last three weeks have been kind of an extended trial. If he gets a pro contract then I'd say it's unlikely that another external defensive midfielder is signed (right now the club is looking for more offensive players). The game ended 8-0 btw.
Thanks so much for the insight. What would be your best guess as to when they would offer a contract should decide to? Do they still have friendlies to play before the break that they'll wait for?
The final friendly is tomorrow, so the decision will be made soon, if it hasn't been made already. When an announcement will be made is another matter, maybe @panicfc has some insight. And one picture from the game: http://www.eintracht.com/typo3temp/GB/e6f5f4a3eb.jpg
Castro played the second half (at least, there's no full match report online yet) again, in a 7-0 win in the second post-season friendly against Hillerse. This should be the last game of the season, unless they schedule another friendly in the next few days.