Youth Soccer and the Olympic Development Program

While some of the U.S. soccer world know about the ODP, many players and families are not familiar with the program.

ODP stands for Olympic Development Program. U.S. Youth Soccer (USYS) developed the ODP in 1977. In 1982, U.S. Youth Soccer established an Olympic Development Program for girls.

The program consists of 12U, 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, and 17U age groups. Approximately 100,000 players participate in the ODP program every year.

ODP offers young players the opportunity to:

• Compete and practice with the best players in one’s age group.
• Improve skills and knowledge of the game.
• Play against highly competitive ODP teams from other states and regions.
• Train at an elite level with knowledgeable, accredited coaches
• Represent their state, region, and the United States in soccer competitions.
• Gain recognition and possibly be selected to a United States National Team for international competition.

OPD Team Selection

All 50 states have an ODP program. Each OPD State Association holds open tryouts on an annual basis. Coaching staffs select players to fill their rosters in each age group to make up that state’s ODP program.

According to USYS, players are selected based on “the four main components that make up a soccer player,” including technique, tactics, fitness/ athletic ability, and psychological aspects.

State OPD teams compete in several tournaments throughout the year, including regional championships, inter-regional events, and national team camps.

The U.S. Youth Soccer ODP Main Tenets:

• Philosophy – To identify players of the highest caliber on a continuing and consistent basis, which will lead to increased success for the U.S. National Teams in the international arena.
• Purpose – To identify and provide opportunities for high-potential players, facilitate their development, and expose them to the next level of their chosen pathway.
• Goal – To be a nationally recognized youth identification and development pathway for U.S. soccer players.

ODP Regional Camps

Top ODP players from each region (East, Midwest, South, and West) are invited to their respective regional camps. The camps provide a higher-level competition and advanced training for selected players.

From regional camps, standout players can earn an invitation to the National Camp and possibly be selected for their age group’s ODP National Team.

The ODP is one of the most expansive scouting systems in the world. Although it doesn’t guarantee advancement to a higher level of play, it strives to scout and develop the best of the best players.

Elite Women Players and the ODP

The ODP has played a significant role in developing a multitude of USWNT, Olympic, and professional female soccer players, including Alex Morgan, Abby Wambach, Kristie Mewis, Carli Lloyd, Kelley O’Hara, and Ali Krieger.

The Olympic Development Program has contributed to the success of the women’s national team. Of the 23 players from the 2019 USWNT World Cup roster, 21 were ODP alumni.

At the professional level, many former ODP players have put their stamp on the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). In the NWSL inaugural season, 116 American players were on opening day rosters, with 101 players being former U.S. Youth Soccer ODP members.

Not only has ODP contributed to the success of women’s soccer nationally and internationally, but the program has also profoundly impacted the players themselves.

Crystal Thomas, forward for the Orlando Pride, fondly commented on her experience with the program, “ODP exposed me to new challenges, new teammates, and gave me great exposure to collegiate and professional scouts. I also had the honor of being captain of the regional team, so I was very proud of that!”

For more information about the Olympic Development Program, check out their website: www.usyouthsoccer.org/olympic-development-program/

Featured image via @usysodp on Twitter

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