{{Short description|Left-wing regionalist political party in Alsace, France}}
{{Short description| }}
{{Infobox football biography
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}}
| name = Jason Castro
{{Infobox political party
| fullname = Jason Vincent Castro
| name = Alternative Alsacienne – ’s Lìnke Elsàss
| image =
| native_name = Alternative Alsacienne – ’s Linke Elsass
| logo =
| =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2007|7|6}}
| leader = Jonathan Herry
| birth_place = [[Monterey Park]], California, United States
| founded = 2020
| height = 1.73 m
| ideology = {{plainlist|
| position = Defensive midfielder
* Left-wing regionalism
| currentclub = Cal Poly Mustangs
* [[Social democracy]]
| clubnumber = 21
* [[Environmentalism]]
| youthyears1 = 2021–2022
* [[Decentralisation]] and [[federalism]]
| youthclubs1 = Los Angeles United Futbol Academy
| youthyears2 = 2022–2024
| youthclubs2 = Strikers FC Irvine
| collegeyears1 = 2025–
| college1 = Cal Poly Mustangs
| nationalyears1 = 2023–
| nationalteam1 = Guam
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 0
}}
}}
”’Jason Vincent Castro”’ (born 6 July 2007) is a footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for the [[Cal Poly Mustangs men’s soccer|Cal Poly Mustangs]] in [[NCAA Division I]] and the [[Guam national football team|Guam national team]].<ref name=”CalPoly”>{{cite web |title=Jason Castro – 2025 Men’s Soccer Roster |url=https://gopoly.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/jason-castro/10212 |access-date=22 November 2025 |website=Cal Poly Athletics}}</ref><ref name=”TMprofile”>{{cite web |title=Jason Castro |url=https://www.transfermarkt.com/jason-castro/profil/spieler/1181789 |access-date=22 November 2025 |website=Transfermarkt}}</ref> Born in the United States, he represents Guam at international level.<ref name=”TMnt”>{{cite web |title=Jason Castro – National team |url=https://www.transfermarkt.com/jason-vincent-castro/nationalmannschaft/spieler/1181789 |access-date=22 November 2025 |website=Transfermarkt}}</ref>
| headquarters = Alsace, France
| website = {{URL|https://www.alternative-alsacienne-s-linke-elsass.alsace/}}
| country = France
| colours = Green
| position = Left-wing
| national = [[New Popular Front]]
| leader_title = President
| seats1_title = National Assembly
| seats2_title = European Parliament
”’Alternative Alsacienne – ’s Lìnke Elsàss”’ is a small left-wing, [[Regionalism (politics)|regionalist]] political party active in [[Alsace]], [[France]]. Founded in 2020 out of the association ”Objectif Euro-région Alsace”, it advocates a social and ecological programme combined with stronger political autonomy for Alsace within a decentralised French Republic and a more federal [[European Union]].<ref name=”DNA2020″>{{cite news |date=14 October 2020 |title=Alternative alsacienne, ou un régionalisme de gauche |url=https://www.dna.fr/politique/2020/10/14/alternative-alsacienne-ou-un-regionalisme-de-gauche |work=Les Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace |language=fr}}</ref><ref name=”Vals”>{{cite web |title=Nos valeurs |url=https://www.alternative-alsacienne-s-linke-elsass.alsace/page/3457661-nos-valeurs |website=Alternative Alsacienne – ’s Linke Elsass (official site) |language=fr}}</ref>
== Early life and youth career ==
== History ==
Castro was born in Monterey Park, California, and grew up in East Los Angeles, California.<ref name=”CalPoly” /> He attended California Online Public Schools, a virtual school based in [[San Juan Capistrano, California|San Juan Capistrano]], California.<ref name=”CalPoly” />
The party emerged in October 2020 when the association ”Objectif Euro-région Alsace” rebranded as Alternative Alsacienne – ’s Linke Elsass, positioning itself as a left-wing partner of Alsatian ecologists.<ref name=”DNA2020″ /> Since then the party has taken part in local campaigns and supported green and left coalitions in the region, including during the [[2024 French legislative election|2024 snap legislative elections]] when it publicly called for a “[[New Popular Front|front populaire]]”.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 June 2024 |title=Échos de campagne en Alsace : Bigot soutient Fernandes, S’linke Elsass veut « faire front populaire » |url=https://www.dna.fr/politique/2024/06/27/echos-de-campagne |work=Les Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace |language=fr}}</ref> In August 2025, at the Greens’ summer days held in Strasbourg, the party signalled ongoing cooperation with ecological and left partners.<ref>{{cite web |date=22 August 2025 |title=”s Linke Elsass présent au JDE 2025 à Strasbourg |url=https://www.alternative-alsacienne-s-linke-elsass.alsace/articles/185534-s-linke-elsass-present-au-jde-2025-a-strasbourg |website=Alternative Alsacienne – ’s Linke Elsass (official site) |language=fr}}</ref>
He began his youth career with Los Angeles United Futbol Academy at under-15 level before joining the Strikers FC Irvine academy setup, where he played for several [[MLS Next|MLS NEXT]] age-group teams.<ref name=”FotMob”>{{cite web |title=Jason Castro |url=https://www.fotmob.com/players/1564445/jason-castro |access-date=22 November 2025 |website=FotMob}}</ref><ref name=”TDS”>{{cite web |title=Jason Castro club player profile |url=https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-player-profile/jason-castro/pid-148488 |access-date=22 November 2025 |website=TopDrawerSoccer}}</ref> In youth competition he has been listed primarily as a defensive midfielder and central midfielder.<ref name=”NCSA”>{{cite web |title=Jason Castro Men”s Soccer Recruiting Profile |url=https://www.ncsasports.org/mens-soccer-recruiting/california-connections-academy/jason-castro14 |access-date=22 November 2025 |website=NCSA}}</ref>
== Ideology and positions ==
Alternative Alsacienne defines itself as a local party federating “all left sensibilities” in favour of an “emancipated Alsace” in a [[Proposed French Sixth Republic|Sixth Republic]] and a [[federal Europe]]. Its platform emphasises enhanced autonomy for Alsace within France; environmental action at Rhine-basin scale; defence of bilingualism and Franco-German/Rhenish cultural ties; social rights and anti-poverty measures; equality for women and LGBT people; support for minorities and migrants; and territorial equity between urban and rural areas.<ref name=”Vals” /> Media have described the party’s line as “left-wing regionalism”.<ref name=”DNA2020″ />
== Organisation ==
== ==
In 2024, Strikers FC Irvine announced that Castro had committed to play college soccer for [[California Polytechnic State University]] (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo).<ref name=”StrikersCalPoly”>{{cite web |title=Signed and committed – Jason Castro from our MLS NEXT will continue his soccer career at Cal Poly SLO |url=https://www.facebook.com/strikersirvine/photos/signed-and-committed-jason-castro-from-our-mlsnext-will-continue-his-soccer-care/1021370299976416/ |access-date=22 November 2025 |website=Strikers FC Irvine via Facebook}}</ref> He joined the Cal Poly Mustangs ahead of the 2025 [[NCAA Division I]] men’s soccer season and was listed as a freshman midfielder wearing number 21.<ref name=”CalPoly” /><ref name=”CalPolyRoster”>{{cite web |title=2025 Men’s Soccer Roster |url=https://gopoly.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster |access-date=22 November 2025 |website=Cal Poly Athletics}}</ref>
The party is governed by a collegial executive committee. As of 2025 the president is ”’Jonathan Herry”’; the bureau also includes a vice-president, a secretary and a treasurer.<ref>{{cite web |title=Notre comité directeur |url=https://www.alternative-alsacienne-s-linke-elsass.alsace/page/3457647-notre-comite-directeur |website=Alternative Alsacienne – ’s Linke Elsass (official site) |language=fr}}</ref>
== Elected officials ==
== ==
Castro is eligible to represent both the United States and Guam and chose to play for Guam internationally.<ref name=”TMnt” /> He was first involved with Guam at youth level, appearing for the under-20 and under-23 national sides in Asian Football Confederation qualifying tournaments.<ref name=”BeSoccerNT”>{{cite web |title=Jason Castro national team career |url=https://www.besoccer.com/player/j-castro-3473749 |access-date=22 November 2025 |website=BeSoccer}}</ref><ref name=”GuamU23″>{{cite web |date=5 September 2023 |title=Guam U23 National Team to debut at AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers |url=https://guamfa.com/guam-u23-national-team-to-debut-at-afc-u23-asian-cup-qualifiers/ |access-date=22 November 2025 |website=Guam Football Association}}</ref>
Although small, the party reports several local mandates in Alsace. These include:
In December 2024, Castro received his first senior call-up to the [[Guam national football team|Guam national team]] for the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary Competition in Hong Kong, China.<ref name=”GuamEAFF”>{{cite web |date=10 December 2024 |title=Roster of 20 players called up to Matao for 2024 EAFF tournament |url=https://guamfa.com/roster-of-20-players-called-up-to-matao-for-2024-eaff-tournament/ |access-date=22 November 2025 |website=Guam Football Association}}</ref> He made his senior international debut as a substitute in a 2–1 win against Macau on 14 December 2024, and appeared again against Hong Kong three days later.<ref name=”EAFFMacau”>{{cite web |date=14 December 2024 |title=Macau 1–2 Guam |url=https://eaff.com/competitions/eaff2024pre/result862.html |access-date=22 November 2025 |website=East Asian Football Federation}}</ref><ref name=”EAFFHK”>{{cite web |date=17 December 2024 |title=Hong Kong 5–0 Guam |url=https://eaff.com/competitions/eaff2024pre/result866.html |access-date=22 November 2025 |website=East Asian Football Federation}}</ref> His club, Strikers FC Irvine, subsequently noted that he had earned his first two caps for Guam at the tournament.<ref name=”StrikersInsta”>{{cite web |title=One of our own – Jason Castro on his first and second appearance for Guam’s Men’s National Team |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DEDsmkDACI4/ |access-date=22 November 2025 |website=Instagram – Strikers FC Irvine}}</ref>
* ”’Jonathan Herry”’, delegated municipal councillor in [[Strasbourg]] responsible for bilingualism and regional cultures, and neighbourhood councillor for Neuhof-Sud (also an Eurometropolis councillor).<ref>{{cite web |title=Jonathan Herry – Conseiller municipal délégué |url=https://www.strasbourg.eu/elu/-/entity/id/20220392 |website=Ville de Strasbourg |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=8 November 2024 |title=Membres français – Eurodistrict Strasbourg-Ortenau (list) |url=https://www.eurodistrict.eu/sites/default/files/doc/24%2011%2008_Conseil%20membres%20fran%C3%A7ais.pdf |website=Eurodistrict Strasbourg-Ortenau |language=fr}}</ref>
* ”’Flavien Ancely-Frey”’, opposition municipal councillor in [[Colmar]].<ref>{{cite news |date=9 May 2022 |title=Circonscription Colmar/Neuf-Brisach : Flavien Ancely-Frey, le Vert dissident |url=https://www.dna.fr/elections/2022/05/09/circonscription-colmar-neuf-brisach-flavien-ancely-frey-le-vert-dissident |work=Les Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=17 June 2025 |title=Quand la campagne électorale s’invite au conseil municipal de Colmar |url=https://www.dna.fr/elections/2025/06/17/quand-la-campagne-electorale-s-invite-en-seance-du-conseil-municipal |work=Les Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace |language=fr}}</ref>
* ”’Perrine Torrent”’, municipal councillor in [[Thann]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Les élu·es – Ville de Thann |url=https://www.ville-thann.fr/ma-mairie/elus-et-democratie-participative/les-elus/ |website=Ville de Thann |language=fr}}</ref>
As of December 2024, Castro has made two senior appearances for Guam.<ref name=”TMnt” /><ref name=”FotMob” />
== See also ==
== Playing style ==
* [[Alsace]]
Castro is usually deployed as a defensive midfielder, noted in youth and international listings for his role screening the defence and distributing from deep positions.<ref name=”TMprofile” /><ref name=”FotMob” /><ref name=”NCSA” />
* [[Alsace independence movement]]
* [[Alsace First]]
* [[Unser Land]]
== External links ==
== ==
{{Updated|intl|2024|12|17}}
=== International ===
* {{Official website|https://www.alternative-alsacienne-s-linke-elsass.alsace/}}
; Appearances and goals by national team
{| class=”wikitable”
!National team
!Year
!Apps
!Goals
|-
|{{fb|GUM}}
|2024
|2
|0
|-
!Total
!
!2
!0
== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{Official website}}<!– if applicable –>
* {{Soccerway|id=YHOw0kMa|name=Jason Castro}}
* {{WorldFootball|id=pe1133489|name=Jason Castro}}
* [https://www.fotmob.com/players/1564445/jason-castro Jason Castro] at FotMob
* [https://www.transfermarkt.com/jason-castro/profil/spieler/1181789 Jason Castro] at Transfermarkt
* [https://gopoly.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/jason-castro/10212 Jason Castro] at Cal Poly Athletics
{{football-bio-stub}}
Guamanian footballer (born 2007)
| Full name | Jason Vincent Castro | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | July 6, 2007 | ||
| Place of birth | Monterey Park, California, United States | ||
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||
| Position | Defensive midfielder | ||
|
Current team |
Cal Poly Mustangs | ||
| Number | 21 | ||
| 2021–2022 | Los Angeles United Futbol Academy | ||
| 2022–2024 | Strikers FC Irvine | ||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2025– | Cal Poly Mustangs | ||
| 2023– | Guam | 2 | (0) |
Jason Vincent Castro (born 6 July 2007) is a footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for the Cal Poly Mustangs in NCAA Division I and the Guam national team.[1][2] Born in the United States, he represents Guam at international level.[3]
Early life and youth career
[edit]
Castro was born in Monterey Park, California, and grew up in East Los Angeles, California.[1] He attended California Online Public Schools, a virtual school based in San Juan Capistrano, California.[1]
He began his youth career with Los Angeles United Futbol Academy at under-15 level before joining the Strikers FC Irvine academy setup, where he played for several MLS NEXT age-group teams.[4][5] In youth competition he has been listed primarily as a defensive midfielder and central midfielder.[6]
In 2024, Strikers FC Irvine announced that Castro had committed to play college soccer for California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo).[7] He joined the Cal Poly Mustangs ahead of the 2025 NCAA Division I men’s soccer season and was listed as a freshman midfielder wearing number 21.[1][8]
International career
[edit]
Castro is eligible to represent both the United States and Guam and chose to play for Guam internationally.[3] He was first involved with Guam at youth level, appearing for the under-20 and under-23 national sides in Asian Football Confederation qualifying tournaments.[9][10]
In December 2024, Castro received his first senior call-up to the Guam national team for the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary Competition in Hong Kong, China.[11] He made his senior international debut as a substitute in a 2–1 win against Macau on 14 December 2024, and appeared again against Hong Kong three days later.[12][13] His club, Strikers FC Irvine, subsequently noted that he had earned his first two caps for Guam at the tournament.[14]
As of December 2024, Castro has made two senior appearances for Guam.[3][4]
Castro is usually deployed as a defensive midfielder, noted in youth and international listings for his role screening the defence and distributing from deep positions.[2][4][6]
- As of intl2024
- Appearances and goals by national team
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
 Guam
|
2024 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 2 | 0 |
