OBJECTIVE/PURPOSE

The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program has been in existence since 1977. The program was introduced to help identify potential national team youth players through an organized series of trials which begins at the district level, progresses through the state, region and finally the national level. The program also serves as a means of development as the players identified are brought together for training and prepared for interstate, interregional and international competitions. The development of the players is taking place rapidly as talented players are brought together for training and competition at all levels. Training and playing with those of equal or greater ability is a tremendous teaching tool. The program is open to any youth player.

The higher up the ladder a player progresses, the more intense the training and playing become. The regional teams experience both interregional and international competitions on an annual basis. A pool of players is selected for each age group with the rosters changing each year as players develop at different rates. Regional players have traveled to Florida, Las Vegas, San Diego, France, England, Costa Rica, Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

While the US Youth Soccer ODP is one vehicle for development and identification, it is not the only method. All programs work together to help the players attain their ultimate potential. The US Youth Soccer ODP does provide a systematic method that allows players to advance as far as their abilities allow. It serves as a form of self-evaluation in a system that is recognized by coaches at all levels.

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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION?

1. Development as a player. The opportunity to train and play with the best players in one's age group.
2. Quality instruction from nationally licensed coaches.
3. Quality competition. Games against other state association teams.
4. Exposure to regional and national team coaches.
5. The opportunity to represent one's state, region, or country in competition.
6. Exposure to college coaches.

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DISTRICT SELECT

2011–2012 Eligible Age Groups: 1998, 1999 and 2000 ONLY

The entry level age groups for US Youth Soccer ODP participate in the District Select Program in the fall and on one weekend in the spring. The program is open to all players and includes four training sessions and two one-day festivals. At the conclusion of the process, a pool of approximately 36 players (for 1998, 1999 & 2000 boys and girls) will be identified for further training and potential selection to a regional camp in July 2012. The District Select Program offers an ideal opportunity for players to sample the program without the pressure of a traditional tryout situation.

Players of all competitive levels are encouraged to take advantage of this experience. Participation in the District Select Program is not an essential prerequisite to future participation in the US Youth Soccer ODP, however, the earlier a player's skills and potential are identified the more help it can be to the evaluations of district, state, regional and national coaches.

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STATE SELECT

2011–2012 Eligible Age Groups: 1995, 1996 and 1997 ONLY

This program is open to all players born in the eligible birth year and begins with two identification sessions in late April. At the conclusion of the identification process, a pool of approximately 24 players per age group and gender under the eligible State Select birth years will be selected for further training and potential selection to a regional camp in July 2012. Players of all competitive levels are encouraged to take part in this program

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PHILOSOPHY

The development of players in Minnesota is primarily the responsibility of our affiliate clubs and US Youth Soccer ODP should not interfere with that development. It is the responsibility of MYSA to supplement that development by identifying and allowing the best players in the state to play along side each other and against other select teams domestically and internationally. The success of US Youth Soccer ODP is a direct result of the quality of players, coaches and level of competition within Minnesota.

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CALENDAR

• 2012 Training and Camp Dates

Unless otherwise noted, all girls regional camps are held in DeKalb, Ill. and all boys regional camps are held in Rockford, Ill. Holdover and Call-back camps are by regional invitation ONLY.

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HOW DO PLAYERS SIGN UP?

For the 2011–2012 seasonal year, the 12 age groups are as follows:

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MULTIMEDIA CLICK HERE to view the ODP Highlights video from US Youth Soccer.

HOW ARE PLAYERS SELECTED?

Beginning in September the younger age groups are selected (40–50 players) through the District Select Program, which includes training and competition. The older age groups (24-30 players) are identified through open tryouts generally held the following Spring.

A player may also be identified and asked to join at anytime during the year. It is the MYSA State Coaches' responsibility to provide the best 18 players in their respective age groups. They will scout games throughout the year looking for player talent.

Selection is not an easy task for age group coaches. The head coach uses input from other qualified coaches at the identifications to make the final selection.

Players are evaluated on the four components that make up a soccer player:

1. Skill
2. Tactics
3. Fitness and Athletic Ability
4. Psychological (attitude)

Of the components mentioned skill, the player's ability to control the ball under game conditions, is usually the determining factor.

Because of the volume of players attending selection and efforts to keep costs to a minimum we are unable to provide written individual evaluations on all players. We remain available to discuss selections with players and their coaches.

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WHAT ARE REGIONAL CAMPS?

US Youth Soccer is divided into four regions, each of which offers a regional camp for state association teams in each eligible age group. The camps are designed to provide high-level competition and training for participating players. During this training and competition, players who are capable of performing at a higher level of play are identified for possible national team camp, pool, or team participation.

WHAT IS A NATIONAL CAMP?

National Camps and Interregional events are held throughout the year at various locations in the United States. The National Team Coach or a National Staff Coach is present at these events to observe, train, and identify players for placement in the national pool or on a national team. Candidates identified at regional events may be invited to attend a national camp.

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ODP NEWS

Albert Lea boys’ soccer player, Timothy Furland, reflects on making the top 30 for the state’s Olympic Development Program.

• www.albertleatribune.com/2011/08/27/a-big-break/

Nathan Rasmussen (’94) has an Olympic-sized summer.

• northfieldnews.com/content/rasmussen-had-olympic-sized-summer

ODP Journals

Lesley Chilton (1994) from Eden Prairie writes about her experience in Boca Raton, Fla. over Thanksgiving playing with the US Youth Soccer Region II ODP Team. Her experience involved playing soccer against other players from around the country, volunteering at a local park, going to the beach and enjoying a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner. Congratulations to Lesley and Darian Powell (1994) from La Porte City, Iowa/Shattuck-St. Mary’s who also participated in the event.

• Boca Raton: November 18-25, 2011
  by Lesley Chilton (Eden Prairie, Minn.)

Minnesota ODP players Ben Lemay (Hugo), Ryan Herold (Fridley) and Tyler Anderson (Bloomington) were part of a International Tournament in Costa Rica with Region II ODP in February 2011. Toby Khounviseth (Lakeville) also participated in the event with the 1996 age group. Sophie Babo (Maple Grove) travelled to Costa Rica and Kylie Schwarz (Plymouth) to Holland both with Region II ODP. Congratulations to each of you and thank you to Ben for keeping a journal of the Costa Rica event.

• Costa Rica: February 5–12, 2011
  by Ben Lemay (Hugo, Minn.)

• Minnesota 1993 Boys Chilling in the Desert
  by Dominick Running (Eagan, Minn.)

The Under-14 Boys National Identification Camp, held August 1-7, 2010 in Concord, Mass., brought together 119 players from around the country to Concord, Mass., for seven days of training and evaluation. The training camp generally consists of training in the morning and matches in the afternoon. The evening includes programming designed to introduce the athletes to the National Team environment and how to prepare themselves for potential call-ups to national teams in the future. The Under-14 program introduces young players to a level of soccer they would not otherwise see at such a young age and allows the country’s top youths the chance to experience soccer at its highest level and in an international setting.

• National Identification Camp
  By Luke Haakenson (Maple Grove, Minn.)

US Youth Soccer ODP on USSF National Teams roster
Teal Bunbury ’90 (Kansas City Wizards, Prior Lake, Minn.), Cody Cropper ’93 (Ipswich Town, England and Plymouth, Minn.), Fuad Ibrahim ’91 (Toronto FC, Richfield, Minn.) all get USSF National Team experience.

• Bradley Names 18-Man Roster to Face South Africa on Nov. 17 in-Cape Town
• U-20 Squad Set for Torneo de las Americas in Kennesaw, Ga.-in late November
• US Youth Soccer ODP a Common Thread Among Players Selected to Residency
• 283 US Youth Soccer ODP Players invited to U-14 and U-15 National Team camps

US Youth Soccer ODP Thanksgiving Interregionals
Minnesota Youth Soccer ODP is sending 12 players to the Thanksgiving Interregional Tournament in Orlando, Florida for the boys and Coral Springs, Florida for the girls. Congratulations to: Abdikadir Anyah, St. Paul; Toby Khounviseth, Lakeville; Grant Dumler, Burnsville; Matthew Gandier, Hastings; Stoil Ganev, Minneapolis; Luke Haakenson, Maple Grove; Ian Smith, Minneapolis; Jackson Yueill, Bloomington; Taylor Uhl, Eden Prairie; Lauren Urke, Medina; Kylie Swartz, Plymouth; Sophie Babo, Maple Grove.

Three players have been invited into USSF U14 National Team events over Thanksgiving – Mukwalle Akale, Minneapolis; Maximiliano Steigwardt, Maple Grove; and Amber Greely, St. Michael.

• Roster announced for 2010 US Youth Soccer ODP Boys Thanksgiving Interregional
  
• Roster announced for 2010 US Youth Soccer ODP Girls Thanksgiving Interregional
  

Other MYSA players that were selected to the 2010/2011 US Youth Soccer ODP Region II Pool are listed below.

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ODP REGIONAL/NATIONAL TEAM PLAYERS

The following MYSA club players, listed by birth year, were previously identified for Region II ODP Pools through the Minnesota US Youth Soccer ODP program. In 2011, 22 boys and 12 girls earned this honor. Selection to the Region II Pool opens the door to further opportunities to travel and compete with Region II ODP and U.S. Soccer National Teams. Congratulations to the following players on their accomplishments and thank you to all those who support their commitment to the game.

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