Castanheira Signs With MLS Cup Champions Atlanta United
1/11/2019 1:14:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Former Columbia goalkeeper Dylan Castanheira has officially signed with Atlanta United, prior to the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, announced by the club pending league and federation approval.
ATLANTA – Former Columbia goalkeeper Dylan Castanheira has officially signed with Atlanta United, prior to the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, announced by the club pending league and federation approval.
"We have followed Dylan for a while now and are excited to sign him to a professional contract with our club," said Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra. "He is one of the top goalkeeping prospects in the college game and we are happy to have him join Atlanta United."
Castanheira was signed by Atlanta United 2, the official USL affiliate of the 2018 MLS Cup Champions. This past fall, he wrapped up his career as one of the most decorated goalkeepers in Columbia and Ivy League history.
"I'm really excited to be able to take my game to the next level," said Castanheira. "Everything I've done in my soccer career is to get to this point. Hopefully now I can continue to make progress and work hard to get to the top team."
"I want to thank my family for their continuous support through good times and bad, as I wouldn't be where I am now without them," he continued. "The coaching staff at Columbia – Kevin, Ken, and Luke – really took a chance on me and I couldn't have picked a better place to spend my college career. I also want to thank the Long Island Rough Riders and Jersey United for my growth and development. The support they all gave me was huge."
During his senior campaign, the Landing, New Jersey, native earned a bevy of awards. Castanheira was named the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, as well as a first team All-Ivy selection. In 2018, he was a second team Scholar All-American pick, as the lone goalkeeper to earn the award. A second team All-Northeast Region honoree, Castanheira also was a Scholar All-Region award-winner, and an Academic All-Ivy League pick.
His name can be found throughout the Ivy League and Columbia record books, as Castanheira broke the conference record for career goals against average at 0.513, while he owns the Columbia career record for career shutouts with 25. His senior year featured five shutouts – all of which came during Columbia victories – and a 10-5-1 record in net, bringing his career tally to 33-10-4. A three-time All-Ivy League selection, Castanheira led the NCAA in goals against average (.290) and save percentage (.903) during his sophomore season, while finishing third with a .425 goals against average during his junior campaign.
"Congratulations to Dylan and his family," said Columbia head coach Kevin Anderson. "Joining the MLS Champs is not a bad start to your professional career. His attitude, character and dedication to his development is outstanding and will be critical in the coming years. We all look forward to watching him grow and wish him the very best. Only one question remains - who will be next? 2019 will be an exciting year and we have 12 months to help our returning players put themselves in this position for the 2020 draft."
"We have followed Dylan for a while now and are excited to sign him to a professional contract with our club," said Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra. "He is one of the top goalkeeping prospects in the college game and we are happy to have him join Atlanta United."
Castanheira was signed by Atlanta United 2, the official USL affiliate of the 2018 MLS Cup Champions. This past fall, he wrapped up his career as one of the most decorated goalkeepers in Columbia and Ivy League history.
"I'm really excited to be able to take my game to the next level," said Castanheira. "Everything I've done in my soccer career is to get to this point. Hopefully now I can continue to make progress and work hard to get to the top team."
"I want to thank my family for their continuous support through good times and bad, as I wouldn't be where I am now without them," he continued. "The coaching staff at Columbia – Kevin, Ken, and Luke – really took a chance on me and I couldn't have picked a better place to spend my college career. I also want to thank the Long Island Rough Riders and Jersey United for my growth and development. The support they all gave me was huge."
During his senior campaign, the Landing, New Jersey, native earned a bevy of awards. Castanheira was named the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, as well as a first team All-Ivy selection. In 2018, he was a second team Scholar All-American pick, as the lone goalkeeper to earn the award. A second team All-Northeast Region honoree, Castanheira also was a Scholar All-Region award-winner, and an Academic All-Ivy League pick.
His name can be found throughout the Ivy League and Columbia record books, as Castanheira broke the conference record for career goals against average at 0.513, while he owns the Columbia career record for career shutouts with 25. His senior year featured five shutouts – all of which came during Columbia victories – and a 10-5-1 record in net, bringing his career tally to 33-10-4. A three-time All-Ivy League selection, Castanheira led the NCAA in goals against average (.290) and save percentage (.903) during his sophomore season, while finishing third with a .425 goals against average during his junior campaign.
"Congratulations to Dylan and his family," said Columbia head coach Kevin Anderson. "Joining the MLS Champs is not a bad start to your professional career. His attitude, character and dedication to his development is outstanding and will be critical in the coming years. We all look forward to watching him grow and wish him the very best. Only one question remains - who will be next? 2019 will be an exciting year and we have 12 months to help our returning players put themselves in this position for the 2020 draft."
Players Mentioned
GK
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