US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program

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The US Youth Soccer ODP Philosophy

To identify players of the highest level on a continuing and consistent basis, which will lead to increased success for the U.S. National Teams.

History

The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program was formed in 1977 to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a National Team will be selected for international competition. The program was designed to identify the most talented players in the country for further coaching and training. The goal of the program was to field a strong Senior National side.

In 1979 the program expanded, the organization became more efficient and multi-year plans were developed. State Associations were encouraged to develop programs which supported and worked in tandem with National and Regional programs. At the beginning of 1982 a formalized program for girls was created, with the addition of a full committee (one member from each Region).

How are Players Selected?

Most states select players for their ODP pool through open tryouts. A few states utilize scouting programs and invitations to join the program in addition to these tryouts. Players are evaluated on the following four components:

# Technique
# Tactics
# Fitness and Athletic Ability
# Psychological Component (attitude)

The top players in each age group are selected for the State ODP pool, typically about 25 players. This group will train together throughout the year. The top 18 players from the pool will compete against other state ODP teams in friendlies and regional tournaments.

US Youth Soccer is divided into four geographic regions. All of the ODP teams in each region come together twice a year in early summer, first for the regional tournament and then for regional camp.

At the regional tournament state teams compete against one another, and the top team from each region advances to the National tournament, where the champion for that age group will be selected.

At the regional camp, players train and scrimmage with players from throughout the region as top coaches watch. At the end of the camp, coaches will use their observations of players at the ODP tournament and camp to select approximately 60 players from that age group for a regional call back camp.

At this camp, the players will be further observed during training and match play as they compete for a spot on the regional team. Each regional team is comprised of approximately 30 players, who will train throughout the year, and compete together on the National and International level. At call back camps players are also evaluated for possible invitation to a National call back camp. These are held annually to identify the top players in the Nation. The top players from each region are invited to these camps, where they train together as members of the national pool. The top players in these camps will be selected to represent the United States in International competition, and possible inclusion in the National residency Program in Bradenton, FL.

Alumni

Of the 18 players who will represent the United States in the Beijing Olympics, all but one came up through Olympic Development Program. These include players such as Brian McBride and Freddy Adu.

On the women's side, alumni include Brandi Chastain and Mia Hamm.