The Journey Begins

Well, the moment has arrived. I leave for the Portugal National training camp in preparation for the South Africa World Cup!

I have been fortunate to have worked on three different continents with world class players at all levels. However, I have never had the opportunity to participate in the World Cup. In fact I have never even attended a World Cup. That is all about to change.

Since it was requested that I join Portugal's National Team staff, for the past month I have been functioning on only a few hours of sleep each night. From my responsibilities at the University of Hartford, including my soccer camps-Connecticut Soccer School and Star Goalkeeper Academy-to my family, our two pugs Max and Nuno, it has been an insane pace. But this is my life and soccer is my passion.

It is not often that you get to experience the ultimate dream. Participating in the World Cup competition was the only missing link to complete my professional career dreams.

I am so grateful to all those who impacted me, more than they can ever imagine. I am very fortunate to be surrounded by people who no matter what had faith and confidence in me. People who gave me courage to pursue my dreams, people who presented opportunities for me to learn and grow, people who shared their wisdom and knowledge with me, and people who were kind and generous with me. I pay tribute to these people and the credit goes to them.

I am proud to be an American born coach who has been given this opportunity. My formal soccer foundation was developed in the United States. I feel I am a reflection of our outstanding coaching system and that I, in some way, serve as a US soccer ambassador during my international travels. My goal was to develop my American ingenuity and combine that with my unique European experiences. This combination has shaped me as a coach. I have no doubt that we have outstanding soccer educators in this country and the rest of the world should recognize that. I happen to be a fortunate one. This does not mean I am better or special but simply I am unique. Hopefully, in the near future we will have more like me who will have the opportunity to display their skills in the international arena.

I am so excited about being involved in the South Africa World Cup. What a competition. Think about the magnitude: 204 countries participate, 850 games down to 32 teams who will play 64 games. Finally, one team will be crowned "World Champion". This process is certainly worthy ofthe title "World Champion".

My only regret is that it is not possible to put all my friends and loved ones inside my body and have the opportunity to look out through my eyes at what I will be experiencing. I'm sure it will be difficult for me to express in words what I will see and feel.

When I was notified that I was selected to join the Portugal National Team coaching staff, I went through a maze of emotions. It was as if I was a bottle and the cork was removed allowing all of my emotions to spill out. I began to reflect on the sacrifices that my family, professional associates and I had made to allow this opportunity. I drove back to Colt Park in Hartford and began walking around in the areas that my father used to train me. The tree that I used to throw the ball off and catch is still there. My father was a former professional goalkeeper in Portugal. He was my mentor, inspiration and my hero. You cannot imagine how proud he is. In fact sometimes his pride is embarrassing when he is with his friends having coffee or sipping on a glass of red wine. But it's all good. He loves his son and I love him.

Since Professor Carlos Queiroz, Head Coach of the Portugal National Team, informed me that I would be part of his staff the process began for me to mentally and physically prepare myself for the challenges I will be encountering.

Mentally, I started the process by assembling selected motivating songs on my I-Pod that would be part of my daily life. Physically, I needed to accept who I am today and not what I was 16 years ago when I was also part of Portugal's World Cup qualification process. We lost to Italy in San Siro Stadium in 1993. That loss prevented Portugal to qualify to the 1994 World Cup hosted by the USA. Along with Coach Carr and Coach Kelly's encouragement, we put together a plan that was reasonable, yet challenging. The University of Hartford players were very patient with my regime. I received total support from my players and coaching staff. Their support and understanding is awesome.

The goalkeeper preparation has begun in my mind as well as offering suggestions on team bonding and mental preparations to cope with the pressures of the World Cup competition.

I am sad and anxious as I depart my friends and love ones, my comfort zone. Now I take this exciting adventure and journey to South Africa. Thinking and hoping everyday that the Portugal National Team will represent their country with pride, dignity and honor. There are so many factors that we cannot control. One thing is for sure: our players and coaching staff will be prepared as best as possible. No detail will be overlooked. I am confident that if there were World Cups awarded for preparation, Portugal would be a candidate to lift the Trophy. Unfortunately, there is no such award. It's about results on the field and the rest is conversation.

Within the next few hours, I will step off the plane in Portugal and I will smell, eat, drink and eat soccer. The fierce soccer debates start immediately. From the taxi driver to the little kids and grandparents, everyone will have an opinion on the Portugal National Team. This is a country that has completely embraced the game of soccer. They live it, breath it, and are consumed by the beauty of the game and so am I.

Live the World Cup!
Dan Gaspar