
PRESS RELEASE – A second Guam Youth National Team player – Michael Castaneda – recently committed to play intercollegiate men’s soccer at Muskingum University, following an official announcement by the Fighting Muskies earlier this month.
Castaneda, a John F. Kennedy High School 2020 graduate, joins fellow national teammate Morgan McKenna at the Ohio university this fall.
“I am very proud of Michael and that he is joining a college soccer program,” said Sang Hoon Kim, Guam Football Association Technical Director. “His parents have been working really hard for him, and I would like to thank his parents and family for their support on behalf of GFA.
“Michael is a role model for the U20 National Team with his technical ability in football, as well as his positive mentality. When he is finally at college, I want him to adapt to his team as soon as possible and to always perform at his best. Once again, I would like to congratulate and thank Michael for his great effort to always instill the philosophy of the Guam National Team,” Kim added.

Castaneda, who was born in Korea Republic, later moved to Guam the latter part of his eighth-grade year at F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School and developed an interest in professionally playing the sport.
“Football is one of (Korea Republic’s) top sports, and that’s what first got me into the sport,” Castaneda said. “I started (playing recreationally) on the streets and when I came to Guam, that’s when I started joining school and club teams.
“I have passion for this sport – a big passion, and my ultimate goal is to be the best player in the world. (This opportunity for me) is a step closer to becoming professional,” the Tamuning resident added.
Castaneda played in both the Aloha Maid Minetgot Cup Elite Youth League and the Budweiser Soccer League Premier Division, featuring for the Tigers, Quality Distributors, NAPA Rovers, Islanders FC, and Manhoben Lalahi in different seasons.
In Castaneda’s freshman year at JFK, the Islanders captured the IIAAG Boys High School Soccer League title and again in 2018, while also making finals appearances in 2017 and 2019. In November 2019, Castaneda traveled with the Guam U19 National Team to Vietnam for the AFC U19 Championship Qualifier.
In May this year, Castaneda joined his U19 National Team teammates in a Zoom conference call with Muskingum University Men’s Soccer Head Coach Adam Ponder to learn more about the university and the college soccer recruiting process. After teammate McKenna signed with the university’s team in June, he helped Castaneda reach out personally to Ponder for opportunities at the intercollegiate level.
“After speaking with Michael, he was a great surprise,” Ponder said. “We actually first spoke about how to help him find a school, and he ended up enjoying what we are building. A big thing that stuck out with Michael is his determination to improve and get better every day. Physically, he looks like he can play at this level and I believe he has potential to really be dangerous for us in the attack.
“We will continue to find ways to help Michael and Morgan to improve and to better their chances to get called up by Guam FA (for international competition). Our team is excited to welcome them into our family and to take care of these guys here in Ohio,” Ponder added.
The Muskingum University Fighting Muskies compete in NCAA Division III’s Ohio Athletic Conference. Castaneda plans to major in Athletic Training/Health and Fitness.
“I would love to thank my Coach, (Eladio) Manansala, Coach (Jack) Kido, and Coach Karl (Dodd) for helping me improve throughout my time in Guam,” Castaneda said. “I would also love to thank my families and friends who have always supported me and helped me get better, as well as GFA and GFA executives for all the opportunities.
“Special thanks to all my JFK teammates,” Castaneda added.
Castaneda is the son of Antonio and Genie Castaneda and has two brothers, Joshua and Brandon, and one sister Nicole.



GPS Sports Calendar
February 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for January
1st
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
2nd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
4th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for February
6th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
7th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
8th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
9th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL FINALS
Events for February
12th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 2
Events for February
13th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
14th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
15th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
16th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
17th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
18th
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2K/5K
World Athletics Cross Country Championships
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for February
20th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
21st
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
22nd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
23rd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
24th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for February
24th
Events for February
25th
Events for February
27th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for February
28th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

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