Denise Castro, a recent graduate of San Diego State University’s women’s soccer program, is set to make her senior debut with Mexico’s 23‑under national team during a European training camp that includes friendlies against Norway on June 5 and Sweden on June 8. The call‑up underscores the Aztec pipeline that continues to produce players capable of competing on the international stage.
Castro will join the squad while simultaneously playing for Chivas Femenil in Jalisco, Mexico, where she has already established herself as a key attacking midfielder. Her collegiate career at SDSU was marked by consistent All‑Mountain West First Team honors from 2022 through 2024, and she finished third in program history for points (84) and goals (35).
Aztec Alumni Making Global Impact
Alongside Castro, two other SDSU graduates are carving out professional paths abroad. Midfielder Emma Gaines‑Ramos earned a spot on the Washington Spirit roster in the National Women’s Soccer League and spent the previous season on loan at Tampa Bay Sun, where she contributed to a deep playoff run. Defender Hannah Keane, also an SDSU record‑holder for goals, assists and points, has featured for Tampa Bay Sun and continues to train with the club as she aims for a permanent contract.
The trio’s simultaneous presence in professional leagues highlights the growing reputation of San Diego State’s soccer program, which has cultivated talent that transitions smoothly from college to elite competition. Their achievements reflect a broader trend of Aztec athletes leveraging collegiate success into international opportunities, from youth national teams to senior professional contracts.
As the Mexican 23‑under side prepares for its European fixtures, the matches against Norway and Sweden serve as crucial benchmarks for evaluating the team’s depth and tactical readiness ahead of upcoming tournaments. For Castro, Gaines‑Ramos and Keane, the upcoming games represent both a personal milestone and a chance to showcase the quality of coaching and development they received at San Diego State.