Gasper Participates in First US Men's National Team Camp
11/5/2019 4:45:00 PM | Men's Soccer
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Former Maryland men's soccer player Chase Gasper was called up to his first U.S. Men's National Team training camp and is currently in the pre-camp at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., which will take place Nov. 2-9. The pre-camp is for 19 MLS players who have already completed their seasons.
Gasper is the first 2019 MLS SuperDraft selection to be called into a USMNT camp and the second college player from the 2018 class to appear in a camp (Andrew Gutman, Indiana). One of the top left back's in the country last season, Gasper was the 15th overall selection by Minnesota United in the SuperDraft and went on to finish fifth in MLS Rookie of Year voting after playing 15 regular season matches for Minnesota in his debut campaign.
"I will always be grateful to Sasho and his staff, all of my teammates and the entire Terp family for everything they did for me," Gasper said. "Maryland soccer's tradition of excellence creates the perfect platform for players to catapult to the next level. Sasho and his staff push their players to achieve their potential everyday, maximizing competition and development. All of the players are like minded creating a brotherhood and culture of success. The tradition of the program dives every player to play for an ideal bigger than themselves, similar to the national team."
Gasper is the latest in a long line of Terps to get the call to the USMNT. The 2018 National Champion is the 13th player coached by head coach Sasho Cirovski to be called into a USMNT camp as the Terps boss has produced former national team stalwarts such as Taylor Twellman, Graham Zusi, Maurice Edu and Clarence Goodson along with current U.S. No. 1 goalkeeper Zack Steffen and center back Omar Gonzalez, both who captained the national team in the 2019 Gold Cup.
Cirovski's efforts have also translated to other nations, with Rodney Wallace (Costa Rica), Christiano Francois (Haiti) and AJ DeLaGarza (Guam) among the former Terps that have been capped for nations other than the United States.
Gasper started 28 matches in two seasons at Maryland after transferring from UCLA. In Maryland's 2018 National Championship campaign, he notched five assists and helped the Terps record five shutouts in the NCAA Tournament and 13 for the season. The Alexandra, Va., native has won every where he's been, helping Minnesota United appear in the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time, leading the Terps to a national title, appearing in a College Cup during his time at UCLA and helping his club team Bethesda-Olney Soccer Academy win the prestigious Dallas Cup in 2012.
"When Chase is on the field, he is a warrior and a winner," Cirovski said. "If you look at the young man's record on any team he's on when he's on the field, they win. I sense that's what the national team saw in him. He cares so much. I'm so happy for him because he's had to overcome so much. I'm sure the call up means more now than if it had been a smooth ride. I'm delighted for him and I'm proud we were able to help him reignite his career."
Gasper has represented the U.S. at multiple levels, with nine appearances for the U21 team and 12 for the U18 team.
Gasper is the first 2019 MLS SuperDraft selection to be called into a USMNT camp and the second college player from the 2018 class to appear in a camp (Andrew Gutman, Indiana). One of the top left back's in the country last season, Gasper was the 15th overall selection by Minnesota United in the SuperDraft and went on to finish fifth in MLS Rookie of Year voting after playing 15 regular season matches for Minnesota in his debut campaign.
"I will always be grateful to Sasho and his staff, all of my teammates and the entire Terp family for everything they did for me," Gasper said. "Maryland soccer's tradition of excellence creates the perfect platform for players to catapult to the next level. Sasho and his staff push their players to achieve their potential everyday, maximizing competition and development. All of the players are like minded creating a brotherhood and culture of success. The tradition of the program dives every player to play for an ideal bigger than themselves, similar to the national team."
Gasper is the latest in a long line of Terps to get the call to the USMNT. The 2018 National Champion is the 13th player coached by head coach Sasho Cirovski to be called into a USMNT camp as the Terps boss has produced former national team stalwarts such as Taylor Twellman, Graham Zusi, Maurice Edu and Clarence Goodson along with current U.S. No. 1 goalkeeper Zack Steffen and center back Omar Gonzalez, both who captained the national team in the 2019 Gold Cup.
Cirovski's efforts have also translated to other nations, with Rodney Wallace (Costa Rica), Christiano Francois (Haiti) and AJ DeLaGarza (Guam) among the former Terps that have been capped for nations other than the United States.
Gasper started 28 matches in two seasons at Maryland after transferring from UCLA. In Maryland's 2018 National Championship campaign, he notched five assists and helped the Terps record five shutouts in the NCAA Tournament and 13 for the season. The Alexandra, Va., native has won every where he's been, helping Minnesota United appear in the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time, leading the Terps to a national title, appearing in a College Cup during his time at UCLA and helping his club team Bethesda-Olney Soccer Academy win the prestigious Dallas Cup in 2012.
"When Chase is on the field, he is a warrior and a winner," Cirovski said. "If you look at the young man's record on any team he's on when he's on the field, they win. I sense that's what the national team saw in him. He cares so much. I'm so happy for him because he's had to overcome so much. I'm sure the call up means more now than if it had been a smooth ride. I'm delighted for him and I'm proud we were able to help him reignite his career."
Gasper has represented the U.S. at multiple levels, with nine appearances for the U21 team and 12 for the U18 team.
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