Aug. 7, 2009
From the time UTEP soccer midfielder Anoop Josan was a young girl, she had dreamed of representing Canada at the Women's World Cup. In June 2008, after years honing her skills at national training camps and at the collegiate level, she received the call she had been waiting her whole life for.
Josan was invited to train alongside other potential candidates for Canada's U-20 national team, which would compete at the U-20 FIFA Women's World Cup in November. She packed her bags and arrived on site in Vancouver, B.C., the site of the camp.
Almost immediately, however, the dream scenario quickly became a nightmare. Josan was cut from camp and would not even have a chance to try to help Canada in the World Cup qualifiers.
While the majority of the other ladies who had ventured to Canada's western-most province with ambitions of representing their nation on the sport's grand stage departed upon receiving that message, Josan chose to stay.
"They told me that I was on my own," Josan said. "I was welcome to stay and play with the Whitecaps (the W-League team most of the candidates were competing with) but that when it came to announcing the final roster for the World Cup in September I shouldn't hold my breath."
During the rest of June, July and even into August, Josan ate, slept and lived soccer. She worked relentlessly on her game, refusing to give up on her lifelong vision, even as she heard the detractors telling her to give it a rest.
September rolled around, and Josan received another call. It was from head coach Ian Bridge, inviting her to be one of 24 players to attend what would be a week-long tryout camp.
The majority of the players in the camp had been a part of the championship squad at the CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship in June-which qualified Canada for the World Cup- so it was a small victory for Josan just to be asked to attend.
"When I got there, they told me that only 20 players would make the team," Josan said. "But after all I had gone through, to even have the opportunity was incredible."
What would happen 10 days later is a moment which will forever be etched in Josan's mind.
"At the end of camp, they called me in and told me that I had made the team," Josan said. "I was overwhelmed with emotion. I felt vindicated, since so many people had told me that I would never make it."
Shortly thereafter, the team departed for Chile and won the Four Nations Tournament (the final tune-up for the World Cup). Two months of intense training ensued, leading up to Team Canada returning to South America for the real thing.
The squad opened up play against Japan on Nov. 20 and, not only was Josan on the roster, but she had been named one of the team's starting midfielders.
"It was very surreal," Josan said. "I had gone from being cut from the qualifying team to being a starting midfielder for my country at the World Cup. At one point before the game started, I was like 'oh my gosh, I actually did it!'"
Josan's family made the trip to Chile for the once in a lifetime experience, while friends and family members who couldn't travel got together in Edmonton to watch the games on television.
Canada fell to Japan, 2-0, in its opener but bounced back to derail Switzerland. The team was then edged by Germany, 2-1, which brought Canada's road at the tournament to a close.
In spite of not advancing further in the tournament, Josan's story is one that should inspire many to pursue their dreams-no matter the odds.
"I know what it feels like to be at the bottom," Josan said. "But I also know what it feels like to work your way all the way back, and really, I think the thing everybody should take away from my experience is that you can achieve anything you want if you put your mind to it.
"It was a great journey," Josan said. "I know that the support from my family, friends and everybody at UTEP soccer meant the world to me."
Fast forward to August 2009, and Josan is once again back at a training camp. While the circumstances are different than a year ago, as this time Josan is in El Paso preparing to take on Conference USA foes, one thing remains the same.
"I'm still living my dream," Josan said. "I got back here excited to play, excited to see the team. It feels good to be in El Paso again, and I've got a renewed passion for Miner soccer."
UTEP is certainly thrilled to have her back, as well, as her presence in the central portion of the pitch was missed during her 2008 redshirt season.
"We are very excited to have Anoop in Miner orange and as a team captain for two more seasons," UTEP head coach Kevin Cross said. "The experience she gained by playing in a World Cup will prove to be invaluable to our program. She has brought tremendous honor and recognition to the UTEP soccer program. I am so proud of her because she had to work so hard to get on to the national team."
Only time will tell for what the future holds for Josan and the Miners, but this much is certain. Don't count them out, no matter the situation.