what is opd?
The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP) 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; to provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels; and, through the use of carefully selected and licensed coaches, develop a mechanism for the exchange of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching.
How does the scouting process work?
Players will register for the ODP scouting process and will be selected to a pool of players for their age group. DYSA will also employ “Scouts” to attend club training sessions, team games, etc. to evaluate players.
How do I register for ODP if I do not play for a registered DYSA club or program?
If you are not a registered DYSA player but would like to participate in the DE Olympic Development Program, you may do so.
My child resides in Delaware, but plays for an out of state team. How does registration work in this situation?
Since the child resides in Delaware, the player does not need permission from their out of state team to tryout for DE ODP.
What is the player pool and how do I get selected to the player pool?
A player pool is the number of players that are selected during an evaluation period that make up the age group. The ideal number of players per player pool age group is 30 – 40 players but as few as 25 may be selected. Players are selected for a player pool by registering to be scouted.
Will goalkeepers be evaluated separately by a goalkeeper coach?
A goalkeeper coach will be on staff. It will be the job of the goalkeeper coach to evaluate the goalkeepers and make recommendations to the trainer each age group.
Where and when are the training dates?
Similar to US Soccer Youth, DE ODP will hold mini camps for training prior to each tournament. A mini camp will be held in Feb and April.
What will happen during mini camps?
Players should arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time and begin with light running to prepare for training. Times and locations will be posted online. Players will receive a numbered t-shirt that must be worn during all mini camp sessions. Players will be grouped by their birth year and will be evaluated by DE ODP Staff.
What do I need to bring to training?
To each session, players should bring a water bottle and shin guards. All players should wear black shorts and the tryout shirt provided by DE ODP. Players are not permitted to wear club specific gear.
What is East Region ODP Camp?
US Youth Soccer is divided into four regions. All regions offer a Regional Camp for ODP participants in each eligible age group. The camps are designed to develop players through high-level competition and training. During East Region ODP Camp, players who are identified for possible selection to the Regional Pool for possible selection to the Regional team. Regional teams attend events that place them in contention to be selected for US Soccer National Teams.
What is the cost of OPD?
- Players pay for teh program as they are selected for tryouts and events
Players are required to purchase a DE ODP uniform kit each year.
Can’t find what you are looking for? Contact the Tyler Bastianelli, Director of ODP and Talent Identification at Tyler@dysa.org or the Executive Director at executivedirector@dysa.org