Gasper is excited for a fresh start

Things moved quickly for Chase Gasper this week.

He was in Minnesota at the start of the week, Los Angeles by late Wednesday night and into his first training session with the Galaxy on Thursday morning.

“My agent told me Tuesday that they there was interest and Wednesday morning when I was driving in to practice at Minnesota, he said, ‘They’re reaching a deal, so it looks like you’re heading to L.A.,’ ” Gasper said.

On Wednesday evening, the Galaxy and Minnesota United FC completed a deal, which sent Gasper to L.A. in exchange for $450,000 in guaranteed General Allocation Money.

“I spent three great years at UCLA, made a lot of friends and spent a lot of great time here,” he said. “I know the area well and I know the rich soccer history of this area and I know the Galaxy’s foothold in this city and how prominent it is to the city. I’m super excited to be here, really grateful and looking forward to getting integrated into the team.”

Gasper, 26, is also here looking for a fresh start.

He was a first-round selection (No. 15 overall) by Minnesota United in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft.

In his first three seasons, he made 63 appearances, starting 60 games. In September, he signed a fouryear contract with Minnesota United.

However, in March, he voluntarily entered the MLS Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program. He spent a month at Cliffside Malibu for treatment.

“It was a long time coming,” he said. “I’d reached my tipping point. I reached out to loved ones and after suffering in silence and not telling anyone because I felt that was the right thing to do, kind of like the tough thing to do. Once I did finally choose to reach out and let others know what was going on, we collectively made the decision it was best to do it then (check in). I’m extremely grateful for everyone that helped make that decision and helped me out through that difficult time because it probably saved my life.”

He returned to the field April 20 in a U.S. Open Cup game and four days later in a MLS Next Pro game.

“I’m so grateful for my time there,” Gasper said of the time at Cliffside.

“I learned a lot and now I’m proud to come out and say that people, regardless of age, race, that anxiety, depression, addiction can affect anyone.

“I’m here to kind of speak to that and hopefully inspire people to reach out and get help if you are suffering. Reach out to a loved one, to a specialist and get help because there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and I can speak from experience on that. So, I just want to use my story to hopefully inspire and help others.”

Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said Gasper will be available when the Galaxy visit Austin FC today.

“We feel very confident in the young man,” Vanney said. “Everybody spoke glowing of him. So I think, sometimes in life, you have challenges and how you meet them and how you deal with them are also a true indicator of your character. And everybody we spoke to was impressed with Chase’s approach and were also celebrating in some ways his bravery to step forward and recognize that there was something that he emotionally wanted to deal with.

“I’ve always thought he was a really strong left-back in our league, a guy who can play all the time, and we want to create an environment where he feels great and is comfortable.”

Gasper played three seasons at UCLA, before transferring to Maryland in 2017. He earned his first national team appearance Feb. 1, 2020 in a friendly against Costa Rica.

Gasper is under contract with the Galaxy through the end of the 2025 MLS season.

“I think I bring a great defensive mind-set and grit to the team,” he said. “I think I’m a pretty physical player, defensively sound. I’m a defender first, but I do have the ability to get forward and help out in the attack.

“I’m super-excited for what the future holds.”