The LouCity and Racing Academy has appointed Santiago Castillo as its new U8-U10 academy director, adding another staff member with experience developing young talent.

Castillo arrives in Louisville after most recently working as ECNL director of coaching for St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri, where he coached his teams to two round of 16 appearances, along with a quarterfinal appearance with this year’s U13s.

In the past two years, Castillo has helped nine of his players get promoted to the new St. Louis CITY SC Academy. Prior to that, held a variety of roles with Saint Louis FC, including U15 Academy head coach and director of video analysis. 

“We are extremely fortunate to have someone of Santiago’s quality join our academy program and specifically as the director of our U8 to U10 programming,” said Mario Sanchez head of the LouCity and Racing Academy. “Santiago has a proven track record of developing young technical players and preparing them for success. Most importantly, Santiago is a wonderful leader and mentor for young players and for our coaching staff. This is a very important hire for our academy program and for soccer in the greater Louisville area.”

“I would like to thank Mario Sanchez and the rest of the staff for trusting me and allowing me to join this unique organization.” Castillo said. “I look forward to working with the staff, players and families at LouCity and Racing as we continue to further develop the youth program and make a positive impact in the development of the players in the Louisville region.”

Interim U8 academy director Kiley Polk will continue with the academy as the LouCity and Racing Oldham assistant academy director overseeing the U8 to U10 boys and girls, along with the U11 through U19 Oldham girls.

LouCity’s youth academy, established in 2020 along with the Racing Louisville FC program for girls, provides high-level playing opportunities for those in the U5 to U19 age groups. The academies operate with a vision to develop more professional, collegiate and national team players than any peer in the U.S.