September 30, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Hartford Athletic News Release
Hartford Athletic announced today that Dan Gaspar will join the club’s technical staff as the first team’s Goalkeeper Coach, Assistant Coach and Director of Goalkeeping for the Hartford Athletic Academy. An exceptionally decorated and dedicated coach, Gaspar has already begun working with the Hartford Athletic first team.
Gaspar brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the club. Over the last 30 years, he has been a goalkeeper coach for four different national teams, including Iran, Portugal, South Africa, and the U.S. Women’s. He made a seven-year run as Assistant Coach of the Iranian National Team from 2011-2018 where he worked with current Hartford Assistant Coach Omid Namazi. The two of them assisted former Real Madrid Head Coach Carlos Queiroz. Over Gaspar’s seven-year stretch, he helped the team reach two FIFA World Cups, including a first place finish in their qualification group and third place finish in the group stage in 2018 behind Portugal and Spain. Gaspar also assisted Tab Ramos’ U.S. U18 side to a Vaclav Jezek Youth Tournament title in the Czech Republic in 2018. Before joining the Iranian National Team Staff, he was a part of the technical staff for the Portuguese National Team during their World Cup run to the round of 16 in 2010.
“I am thrilled to officially welcome Dan to our Technical Staff,” said Hartford Head Coach Tab Ramos. “His coaching resume speaks for itself and his spirit for the game is only outdone by his knowledge of it. Having coached with him before, I know the impact he can make and he has already made a great connection with our goalkeepers in his short time working with the club.”
“I’m grateful for the opportunity that Hartford Athletic has presented to me,” said Gaspar. “I’ve had the privilege of working with Coach Ramos and Coach Namazi and I have first-hand experience of their quality and work ethic. I couldn’t be more excited to reunite with them in this new and exciting era for Hartford Athletic.”
A Glastonbury, Connecticut native, Gaspar’s Connecticut soccer roots run deep. He played for the University of Hartford from 1974-1977, and became the head coach of his alma mater from 2005 to 2010. Across six seasons, Gaspar led the Hartford Hawks to three straight America East Conference tournament appearances and a semifinal appearance. His head coaching stints in Connecticut also included two years with the…