Timbers U23s' Castillo named PDL Defender of the Year, Joined by Wharton on All-West Squad

Portland Timbers U23s defender Dennis Castillo has been named the PDL Defender of the Year by the Premier Development League, the league announced Thursday evening.

The 2015 Defender of the Year is Dennis Castillo of @TimbersFC U23! #Path2Pro pic.twitter.com/52WkkLbLyS

— USL PDL (@USLPDL) July 31, 2015

Additionally, he was named to the All-Western Conference squad, joined by midfielder Todd Wharton.

Castillo made 11 appearances, 9 starts, scoring 1 goal and 1 assist in 893 minutes of play, as the U23s finished second in the PDL's Northwest Division, while allowing only 9 goals in 12 matches, which was tied for 4th in the 63 team field.  Entering his senior season at Virginia Commonwealth, the young Costa Rican has started every match he has appeared for the Rams, helping them finish 11th nationally with 0.65 goals allowed in 2014.

Wharton finished second on the U23s with 3 goals and 1 assist, and was named PDL Player of the Week for Week 9, after scoring 2 goals in the U23s' 2-0 victory over Seattle Sounders U23s on June 26.  Wharton is entering his senior year with Virginia, the 2014 NCAA Champions.

Joining Castillo and Wharton on the All-Western Conference team is Lane United forward Timmy Muellar, scoring 9 goals in 9 appearances for the Eugene-based club, and was named the PDL Young Player of the Year.  He will be a sophomore at Oregon State this fall, he finished second on the team in scoring last year, behind current NYCFC forward Khiry Shelton

On to the awards! First, the All-Conference selections. #Path2Pro pic.twitter.com/VFBJa4Mqto

— USL PDL (@USLPDL) July 31, 2015