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Post by bogan on Aug 16, 2020 8:54:44 GMT -5
“On paper, the ODP model prior to the "professionalization" of youth soccer in the USA was the best player ID system we ever had and was foundation of '90 '94 and '02 USMNT World Cup teams that arguably made the biggest impacts. How do we get back to a single pathway that covers all leagues AND finds players who can't afford pay-to-play? Will it take MLS funding residential academies, including support for parents to move and get jobs etc...? Or is this an area U.S. Soccer Federation can focus on for investment with some of the "savings" from dropping the DA?”
Chris Hummer-SoccerWire.com
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Post by bogan on Aug 16, 2020 8:55:52 GMT -5
During an appearance on The SoccerWire Podcast this summer, US Youth Soccer CEO Skip Gilbert expressed high hopes for reinvigorating the USYS Olympic Development Program (ODP) through his organization’s new partnership with Major League Soccer.
Following the closure of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy in April, MLS went on to announce the launch of a new elite boys’ competition platform, and shortly thereafter entered a major national alliance with USYS. That alliance could play a key role in helping MLS, and in turn, U.S. Soccer, cast a wider net when it comes to identifying young talent across the country.
While speaking with SoccerWire analyst Charles Boehm, Gilbert discussed the need for a simplified talent identification pipeline in America. He stated that USYS is looking to pull best practices from several European player development models, while keeping in mind the challenges of scaling for a country as large as the United States:
“Part of the discussion with our friends from Major League Soccer was creating a simplistic pipeline that players can follow,” Gilbert said. “It didn’t matter where they were coming from, but the reality is that this is a big country. I’ve already sat in meetings where we’ve talked about the models in different European countries, and how they’ve got such great player development pipelines, and that’s why they’re able to generate the success on the field that they have.”
[+READ: How MLS can build its new youth league the right way]
“The difference is when you look at the Netherlands or Germany or other European countries, they’re kind of the size of New Jersey, Delaware or Virginia,” Gilbert continued. “We’re big, and the reality is that we need a pipeline that will be able to identify players from Hawaii to Maine, from Washington to Florida, and everywhere else in between. The discussions with Major League Soccer were, how we can take that franchise [ODP] and make it better? To be more inclusive.”
Gilbert added that ODP’s structure of State, Regional and National levels – paired with the new connection to MLS – could once again become a key avenue for players to climb through the ranks of the player development system. Players who start out at the base level of recreational or lower-level travel soccer will have a more direct pathway to playing for an MLS academy, and beyond.
“There are some great players in the system now, whether they’re playing for us, US Club or AYSO, there’s some phenomenal talent out there,” Gilbert said. “The question is not only do we need to be able to tap into them, but there’s also probably millions of kids who aren’t in that pipeline, but who still go out and play. As we develop our pipeline, how are we truly going to make it so that at the state level, all the kids who really should have their hand up can get their hand up, and then how are they going to be recognized from a regional perspective and at the national level?”
In line with the goal of US Youth Soccer’s player development partnership with MLS, the organizations are exploring the potential for a grant program which would allow more kids the opportunity to play without having to pay. To hear Gilbert’s comments on this topic and much more, listen to the full episode of The SoccerWire Podcast.
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Post by georgiatechalum on Aug 24, 2020 8:44:07 GMT -5
I am new to the Forum so I apologize if this was already discussed,
But my son plays at UFA, and during of of his games I over heard some parents saying that ODP is done. Have others of you heard the same?
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Post by Keeper on Aug 24, 2020 10:06:22 GMT -5
I am new to the Forum so I apologize if this was already discussed, But my son plays at UFA, and during of of his games I over heard some parents saying that ODP is done. Have others of you heard the same? Odp in the US is not done. ODP in Ga is on hold till at least Spring and with the GA Director of Coaching Jacob Daniels who runs GA ODP resigning suddenly it’s iffy right now. You will find some Atlanta ECNL/DA parents that believe ODP was pointless already as those players didn’t participate either. |
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Post by atlfutboldad on Aug 24, 2020 10:24:57 GMT -5
They probably mean from a big-club participation standpoint. Last year, for the girls U14 age group, only AFU ECNL and SSA ECNL/NPL "elite" players participated. Other that that, there were mostly NL players (CFC, Inter, Impact primarily with a smattering of Athena A players).
It functioned well last year. This year we are at the U15 age group, so as long as they continue to have it, we will participate for 1-3 more years.
Pairing the national team selection with an organization/league (MLS/DA) is a mistake IMO (just more favoritism for a few clubs, more garbage-in, garbage-out, leaving huge gaps for remote, small-town superstars to fall right through).
IMO, USSF needs to create a YNTDP (Youth National Team Development Program) to replace USYS ODP. USYS/state associations should perform the preliminary tryouts in July based on referral/invitations. Then the states could do 2-3 months of training/evaluations and recommend a waited state pool (based on state population with a little wiggle room) to the regional tryouts in November. During November/Thanksgiving they should have regional pool tryout/practices based on state recommendations (same year, not the following year as the current program does). The remainder of the state pool should continue to train through the calendar year (extra training is beneficial in case you don't get good team tactical training at your club). Then in December have another regional training camp and in January USSF should host the expenses-paid regional final competitions (4 teams of 18, shouldn't be that tough). After January the National team pool would be selected and then they should schedule a couple weekends/weeks of expenses paid NT training camps. Imagine the savings compared to the DA program and it does effectively better identification. Rely on the clubs and state associations to train the players effectively. At any time in the process, players can be promoted directly up to the national team pool. But it would reward exceptional players who are not in MLS/former-DA states or close to those clubs.
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Post by georgiatechalum on Aug 24, 2020 12:29:42 GMT -5
Thanks for the info, I appreciate it. My older daughter played ODP and we thought it was beneficial. My son is at “Pre-ODP” age so I was wondering the status on the program. Do you think ODP is better suited ( more worth while) for girls than boys?
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Post by atlfutboldad on Aug 24, 2020 13:03:43 GMT -5
I don't know much about the boys' side.
Mine was really hesitant to tryout again (didn't make it U12), but she made the U14 pool pretty easily. She really wasn't excited about it. There were some rushed Fridays to get to practice at 7 and some VERY cold practices, and missing out on a few social events, etc. Cost is about $500 for the training/bag/jerseys/sweatshirt. But once she got the Georgia Soccer sweatshirt, I think she was sold. We did the sub and regional events, less comradery than team travel tournaments, which is sad. Those tournaments cost $100-200 each also (entry, coach travel/accomodations/etc).
We practiced at Arizona Ave, mostly Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Focus is a lot on defense and shape/connections/build out of the back/etc. Then there's a fair amount of scrimmaging.
If you're already getting elite-level training and the majority of your teammates are good players, its not necessary, just a resume builder and breaking out of one's comfort zone. But I'm a big believer in breaking out of one's comfort zone and doing things that challenge kids. Also, having different coaches means different points of emphasis and different perspective, which is immensely important.
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