When MLS announced the FC Cincinnati and CF Montreal match would be played at Montreal's home Stade Saputo the Twitter-verse spiraled into a storm of reactions.
There were frustrations as the announcement came just 72 hours before the match is scheduled to begin. There was also a sense of happiness for Montreal as the team will return home for the first time in over one year after playing in Miami due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the previously unknown location of the match looming over FC Cincinnati all week, the team continued training as normal.
More:MLS: Preview, prediction for FC Cincinnati-CF Montreal match in Canada
Edgar Castillo joined the media on Thursday at Mercy Health Training Center. When asked his reactions to the location of Saturday's match, and whether or not he expected the game to be across the Canadian border, Castillo admitted he didn't know much about the situation.
"It is what it is, we have to go there and play," Castillo said. "Our mentality is to go down there and get the result.”
Castillo continued by saying it doesn't necessarily matter to the team the exact location of the game, the road is the road, and match preparation is match preparation.
“We knew we were going to play no matter what so you prepare like a normal game and like I said we have to go there and be prepared," Castillo said. "It’s going to be a tough game there but we have to go and get three points."
More: FC Cincinnati: Jaap Stam's opinion of playing in Montreal 'not one to share'
However, training this week cannot be brushed off as 100% "normal." Travel to Montreal does pose external factors, some of which have already affected the team.
On Monday, four FC Cincinnati starters (Alvaro Barreal, Isaac Atanga, Brenner and Gustavo Vallecilla) missed a day of training to travel to New York City to obtain temporary-resident visas needed to cross the Canadian border. According to team officials, those visas have been granted.
When time comes to travel to Montreal, only fully-vaccinated players and staff will be permitted to cross the border. FC Cincinnati has not disclosed any information on the vaccination status of their athletes and staff, but there's a possibility this could impact the depth of the roster.
The challenge for FC Cincinnati this week will lie deeper than the opposition. Regardless, Castillo continued to focus on the on-field performance of the team.
More:Meet Arquimides Ordonez, FC Cincinnati's second Homegrown player: 'This is business now'
“It is going to be a challenge but we just have to do our part on the field, what Jaap wants us to do and go in there with our mentality to go there and not lose," Castillo said. "We’re working back to getting results and not losing so I feel good.”
Castillo stepping into starting role
When Castillo signed with FC Cincinnati in April, he knew the role he was stepping into. As a 34-year-old, veteran player, Castillo acknowledged that he is approaching the end of his career.
"I’m a back-up and I take that role but whenever it comes down to it and I get some playing time I’m going to make the best of it," Castillo said. "When Mata (Ronald Matarrita) comes back I know he’s the number one but it’s all a competition over whoever plays good and whoever is having a good season but I’m just very happy to get some playing time."
Castillo has started in place of 27-year-old Matarrita since Matarrita left to join Costa Rica for the Gold Cup two weeks ago. He has now started in three FCC matches this season.
More: Castillo gets FCC debut, frustration grows with missed opportunities
However, Castillo has stepped into a larger role than just "the back-up." He made his presence in the starting 11 clear with a goal in the 25th second against Columbus Crew on July 9.
Reflecting on the goal, which was the first he had scored in three years, Castillo smiled.
“I didn’t think I was going to score 25 seconds into the game. It was just that moment, that was my first touch on the ball. I don’t know what was going through my head I just thought ‘I got to hit it’ even if I put it in the stands or wherever, so I hit it but it hit the back of the net," Castillo said. "It was a good goal so I’m happy about that ... I haven’t had enough playing time but I’m getting it now so I’m very happy about that.”
Castillo made his FC Cincinnati debut on June 19 against Colorado when Matarrita was rehabbing an injury. After playing 77 minutes in that match, Castillo has increased his minutes to play the full 90 in both of FCC's most recent games.
Castillo will likely nab his fourth start Saturday against Montreal. The match is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and FC Cincinnati will be looking to extend its four game unbeaten streak.
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