General Information:
The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program is a national identification and development program for high-level players. The program identifies and develops youth players throughout the country to represent their state and regional associations. At the state association level, pools of players are identified in each eligible age group, and brought together as a team to develop their skill through training and competition. From the state pools and subsequent teams, players are identified for regional and national pools and teams. Maryland State ODP teams are comprised of the best Maryland players in various age groups.
US Youth Soccer is divided into four regions, each Region offers a regional identification camp for state association ODP players in each eligible age group pool. Maryland is part of the East Region. 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 regional pool, or regional team participation.
More information concerning the East Region can be found by clicking here
What it takes to be successful in the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program By: John Ellinger - US Youth Soccer Technical Department
How does ODP fit into Today's Competitive Soccer Landscape? By: Gandalf French - MSYSA ODP Director
Seasonal Year Overview:
Please see the calendar for more specific information.
- Tryouts: 12U-17U begins in September
- Invitation only callback tryouts will take place immediately after each age group finishes their open tryouts
- 12U-17U boys and 12U-15U girls, begin training in early January with outdoor sessions on Sundays and virtual classroom sessions through February
- 12U-17U boys and 12U-15U girls pools participate in the Maryland Invitational in late February
- 13U-17U boys and 13U-15U girls pools participate in the Virginia Friendlies in late February
- All groups begin outdoor training on Mondays in March
- Teams of selected players from all age groups participate in the East Region Tournament (invited players only)
- Select players from all age groups will be invited to participate in the East Region Identification Camp without additional cost (invited players only)
MedStar Health Partnership and Injury Tracking:
The Maryland State Youth Soccer Association has partnered with MedStar Health to improve the coordination of medical care for youth soccer players within Maryland, specifically with regard to concussions. All players within ODP will be utilizing this partnership.
Appointments with MedStar can be scheduled within 48 hours of injury by calling our dedicated number: (888) 44-SPORT (7-7678).
Injury reporting is a three step process:
- When a player becomes injured, the athletic trainer, coach, or team manager enters information into the tracking system and an e-mail is sent to the parent/guardian
- A parent/guardian of the injured player can utilize the dedicated phone line to schedule an appointment with a specialist within 48 hours, if desired
- Once the player is cleared by the medical professional, the injury tracking system is updated by the athletic trainer.