If you live near Springhead Park, then you’ve probably heard the sound of a swarm of 40 children playing soccer all week. Some are involved with the new FC Plant City, and some are just there on their own volition.
In the middle of the group of kids is Omar Castro, who normally would be playing in Germany with people one to five years his senior. But, he wanted to spend his first week back in the United States helping the kids get better.
“I just wanted to come back and give back to the club that has helped me,” Castro says.
With his three-week vacation, Castro returned to the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World to see his family and enjoy all of the American comforts that many take for granted. Life in Germany, while manageable, is quite different.
Although Castro signed a three-year deal with Bundesliga club Eintracht Braunschweig in February, he had been overseas since the fall of 2013. While playing for an Eintracht-affiliated youth team (he could not sign a professional contract until he turned 18), Castro began to adjust to German culture.
Although native English-speakers won’t have a difficult time communicating while visiting Germany, it’s a different story for those who live there.
“Many young Germans speak English,” Castro says. “But, the older ones — they don’t really speak English. Most don’t like to speak it, because they don’t like to make mistakes. Some try, but they get embarrassed when they make a mistake.”
To ease the transition, Castro studies German for 90 minutes each day during a typical week. In addition to his German studies, Castro also is finishing up his final year in Florida Virtual School.
As a big fan of Mexican food, Castro was a little disappointed when he tried Germany’s take on the cuisine. While traditional German foods such as bratwurst are fine with him — as well as the country’s affinity for quiche and other French foods — eating some authentic Mexican food was high on his vacation bucket list.
“They have some Mexican restaurants, but it’s nothing like home,” he says.
While no one under 21 can enter most American bars, 18-year-old Germans are allowed to go anywhere. Castro says that part of German culture is one of the biggest contrasts to American life, but he missed the beaches more than anything. Germany is mostly landlocked.
The biggest thing for Castro, of course, was the country’s attitude toward his sport. Right from the start, he knew the only similarity between playing in Germany and playing in America is the feeling he gets when stepping onto the pitch.
“At first, I was a bit homesick,” he says. “But, once I stepped onto the field, everything just became normal. I became calm. Everything was going good. When I noticed I’d be here for a year, I said, ‘You know what? Let’s make these three years worth it.’ I wanted to work hard and see how far I could move on.”
Once he turned 18, he was eligible to sign that deal and move on to what can best be considered soccer’s version of Minor League Baseball. Playing the midfield for Eintracht’s U19 squad, Castro was part of a team that went from near-worst to first, winning the league championship. After that, he was bumped up to the U23 league — where it looks like he’ll spend much of the next season — for a few matches.
“Some of the players have already played professionally,” Castro says. “U23 is very competitive. If you’re not doing good, they will get onto you and say, ‘Hey, come on. You need to step it up.’ That’s another big difference. Back here, I would just do my thing. I still trained hard, but not like we do over there.”
Eintracht’s head coach, who spoke recently with Castro’s agent, hopes he will progress enough to make the first team within 18 months.
For now, though, Castro’s just happy to be home. He was so excited to work with the kids that he completely changed the plans for his Challenge Camp. Instead of hosting a formal, $125 camp at Otis M. Andrews Park, he chose to move to Springhead Park and waive the fee, so anyone could come out and learn a thing or two — and have fun doing it.
Aside from working with the kids and maybe playing some pick-up games, he’s excited to put the pro game in the rearview for the time being and act like a kid again.
“I wanted to give back, give some advice to the kids, and make them have fun,” he says.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
OMAR ON THE WORLD CUP
It’s officially time for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and everyone with a pulse and even a marginal interest in soccer is talking about it. Although many seem to agree that the Cup is Brazil’s to lose, picking the top four teams is a lot more difficult.
Omar Castro shared his predictions for the top four with the Plant City Times & Observer:
“I’d say Brazil wins; they’re on home soil,” he says. “I think Germany has many good, young players — they’re up there, too. I’ve watched some of them play.
“Spain’s another one; and the next one — maybe Argentina,” he said. “I don’t want Brazil to win — I’d want Spain to win again. But, I also want Lionel Messi (of Argentina) to win a World Cup.”