Fans in the Dominican Republic will miss out on seeing their dominant baseball team at the Paris Olympics, as the sport isn’t included in the 2024 lineup.
However, the Dominican men’s soccer team is set to make its unexpected Olympic debut. The team is strengthened by players who have experience in European leagues, many of whom will be representing their country for the first time in France.
“I have the opportunity to represent my heritage, which is deeply meaningful to me,” said Oscar Ureña, who was born in Spain to Dominican parents. “They are very proud and happy for me.”
The Dominican team, nicknamed “Sedofútbol,” appointed Spaniard Ibai Gomez as coach last February. Gomez, who played for nine professional teams including Athletic de Bilbao and Alaves, retired in November 2022 and began his coaching career a year ago with Santutxu in Spain.
“I was genuinely surprised by the offer. I played for 14 years, but my coaching journey is just beginning,” Gomez shared in an interview with the Associated Press.
Before accepting the challenge, Gomez carefully reviewed over 100 player videos to evaluate their skills. “We saw an opportunity to achieve great things,” he said. He took on the role of contributing to the growth of soccer in the Dominican Republic.
Gomez is assembling a squad that includes players with dual nationality like Edgar Pujol, Rafa Núñez, and Junior Firpo, who “already have the skills to succeed in Europe and are more advanced in that aspect.”
For these players, the Olympics mark their first time officially playing for the Dominican national team, which qualified through its under-20 squad.
Ureña, who plays for Leganes, is one of them. He is the youngest of three brothers and the only one born outside of the Dominican Republic, born in Figueras where his parents immigrated to.
“I decided to go because Ibai reached out to me and emphasized how important it was and how much I would enjoy it,” Ureña told AP.
The Dominican team surprised many by qualifying in the CONCACAF U20 tournament, where Mexico, a top contender, was eliminated. In Paris, they will compete in Group C against Egypt, Spain, and Uzbekistan.
“Every day, soccer becomes more competitive and it’s challenging to win matches,” Gomez commented. “I believe it will be an exciting competition.”
Despite Gomez’s early coaching career, he has been mentored by Marcelo Bielsa, Ernesto Valverde, Marcelino, and Joaquin Caparros. Gomez and his team first gathered in March for a 10-day training session and played a two-game series against Paraguay.
“I really enjoyed the experience. We bonded well as a team, and I look forward to returning,” Ureña said. Gomez mentioned that the primary aim for their initial experience with the team is to advance past the group stage, although some players have higher aspirations.
“I would be thrilled not only to participate in the Olympic Games but also to win a medal,” Ureña expressed.
In a nation where baseball dominates and qualifying for the soccer World Cup remains a distant goal, the forward believes Paris 2024 could mark a turning point in boosting soccer’s popularity in the Dominican Republic.
“There is a lot of talent, and in the future, we can achieve great things,” Ureña stated. “If we perform well in the Olympics, it will inspire children to play soccer and represent the Dominican team.”
