The Olympic Development Program is a prestigious identification process affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation and US Youth Soccer. Established in 1977, ODP is the nation’s premier program for identifying and nurturing potential youth national team players.
Players in the ODP system start at the state level and have the opportunity to progress to the regional, and national levels. By training and competing alongside top talent, ODP participants can enhance their skills and catch the eye of college coaches looking for future recruits.
Ultimately, the goal of ODP is to provide a pathway for players to potentially represent Regional and U.S. Youth National Teams. It is a vital stepping stone for aspiring young athletes looking to take their soccer careers to the next level.
Illinois ODP Process
Illinois ODP is an open registration. The program is designed for highly skilled and dedicated players who are looking to take their game to the next level.
Winter Training
Winter training is the starting point for ODP, serving as supplemental training in the winter months and a “tryout” for selection to the Illinois State Team. Sessions focus on various themes and aspects of player development, with coaching staff assessing and identifying top performers in each age group.
Winter Friendlies
In the winter, we will participate in friendlies against ODP teams from other states in the Midwest. Not all players will be invited to these events. The winter friendlies provide coaches with an opportunity to evaluate players in a different setting.
State Team Selection
Upon completion of all events, including training sessions and friendly matches, the coaching staff will carefully select the players who will be invited to join the State Team. For an 11v11 team, this will consist of 16 field players and 2 goalkeepers, while a 9v9 team will be comprised of 14 field players and 2 goalkeepers.
For more information about the Illinois process contact ODP@illinoisyouthsoccer.org
Regional & National ODP
The purpose of the Regional and National process is to identify and provide opportunities for high potential players, facilitate their development, expose them to the next level of their chosen pathway and motivate their pursuit of excellence.
Midwest Regional Camp & Team
The top players within the age group are invited to attend the Midwest Regional ID Camp. This camp takes place in July and brings together exceptional players from the Midwest. Based on their performance at the camp, players may have the chance to be selected to join the Midwest Regional team and compete against the West, South, and East Regional Teams. For more information about the regional process contact MWODPadmin@usyouthsoccer.org
U.S. Youth ODP National Select Team
At the National level, elite players from the program are selected to compete in prestigious tournaments such as the Dallas Cup, Mayors Cup, and international competitions. These events draw the attention of U.S. Soccer Scouts and MLS Academy Scouts, who are always on the lookout for top talent. The goal at the National level is to identify and nurture high-potential players, giving them the chance to further develop their skills and experience the next level of competition.For more information about the national process contact aheffernan@usyouthsoccer.org
ODP – FAQ
The Illinois Olympic Development Program or ODP is the start of the IDENTIFICATION process for the National and Olympic Teams. The Illinois Youth Soccer Association conducts the program for US Soccer under the jurisdiction of the US Olympic Committee. The ODP is protected by the Amateur Sports Act, a federal law enacted by Congress in 1978. The purpose of this prestigious program is to IDENTIFY players on the basis of open tryouts and DEVELOP them to the best of their ability for an opportunity to be selected to represent their state, region, and the United States in soccer competition. ODP teams are formed at each of the 55 US Youth Soccer State Associations.
Any age eligible soccer player can participate in the open ODP registration process. However, ODP is for the serious soccer player who has hopes of playing in college and beyond. Participation in ODP does not replace club play or disqualify a player from playing with his/her Club or High School team.
Illinois ODP staff coaches are experienced selected professionals who are recognized for their ability to identify and train players with superior skills and challenge them to play at their highest potential. Illinois ODP Staff consists of College Coaches, Club Directors of Coaching, Club Coaches, High School Coaches, and renowned GUEST coaches. All Coaches have quality credentials with the majority having US Soccer Federation ‘A’ or ‘B’ licenses.
In addition to our top-level staff coaches, Illinois ODP players have taken part in special training sessions over the years lead by the following Guest Coaches:
- US National Staff Coaches
- Manchester United Academy Coaches
- Chicago Fire Staff Coaches
- Chicago Red Stars Staff Coaches and Players
- Everton FC Youth Academy Director, Tony “Tosh” Farrell
- Everton FC Youth Academy Development Officer, Robbie Anderson
- Derby County Academy Coaching Manager & Wigan Athletic First Team Coach, David Lowe
- Director of Hamburg Football Club Academy, Stephan Hildebrandt
- Hamburg SV Director of Youth Programs and Soccer Academy, Jens Todt
- Charlton Athletic Football Club Youth Academy Coach, Steve Avory
- US Women’s National Team Assistant Coach, Lauren Gregg
- England Women’s National Team Goalkeeper Coach, Keith Reece
- Royal Netherlands Soccer Federation Technical Coordinator, Nico Romeijn
- Royal Netherlands Soccer Federation National Team Coach, Ruud Dokter
- Royal Netherlands Soccer Federation Academy Coach Nico Labohm
- Royal Netherlands Soccer Federation Coach Arno Pijpers
- Fortuna Sittard Head Coach & Technical Manager, Pim Verbeek
- Liverpool Head Coach & Technical Director of the French National Soccer Federation, Gerard Houiller
Players are evaluated and selected on the following major components:
- Technical Skills (Passing, Receiving, etc.)
- Tactics & Understanding of the Game (Decision Making)
- Movement off the ball
- Communication (Leadership)
- Fitness and Athletic Ability
- Attitude & Willingness to Learn
1. Indoor Sessions (open to everyone)
2. Interstate Friendlies (by invitation only)
3. Regional Camp (by invitation only)
4. Regional Events (by invitation only)
5. National Events (by invitation only)
Illinois ODP Indoor Sessions
The ODP process starts with 7 Indoor Sessions between November and January. It is at the Indoor Sessions that players learn what it takes to become an ODP player and to compete against other quality players under the guidance of the ODP staff. From these trainings some players will be invited to participate in Interstate Friendlies. More importantly, it is during these trainings that the ODP coaches will identify players for Illinois State Team selection. After the completion of the Indoor Sessions, those players who are not selected will be released.
Interstate Friendlies
In addition to the Indoor Sessions, IYSA will organize Friendlies with other states’ ODP teams.
The purpose of the Friendlies is to further evaluate certain players in a game environment against other states’ players. Not every player or age group will be invited to participate in an Interstate Friendly. Teams may travel to other states depending on facility availability. There is an additional fee for the Friendlies. Players will need to provide their own transportation and arrange hotel accommodations should the game schedule require an overnight stay.
US Youth Soccer Midwest Region ODP Camp
The US Youth Soccer Regional Camp is under the jurisdiction of US Youth Soccer Region II not Illinois Youth Soccer. Region II runs the camp, selects the coaching staff and identifies the Regional Pool players from competitions among the 14 State Association ODP teams. The regional camps are camps that take place in July and last between 2-5 days depending on the age group.
Illinois State Team players can expect to attend 1-2 tournaments with the team. The first event takes place over President’s Day Weekend in February. The next one is in the summer with dates and location to be determined.
Ultimately players chosen to the Illinois State Team can also be invited to attend the Midwest Regional Camp in July with the opportunity to be selected for the Midwest Regional Pool.
U.S. Youth Soccer is the national organization for youth soccer and oversees ODP at a Regional and National level. The country is split into four regions, East, West, Midwest, and South. Each region consist of a group of states and their own Olympic Development Program. Illinois falls into the Midwest Region.
Players from each state are invited to the Midwest Regional Camp in July based on their performances in their states ODP. After the camp, players from each age group can be selected to the Midwest Regional Pool. Those players can be selected to participate in National events throughout the country to compete against the three other regions.
Indoor Sessions – Approximately $495
Interstate Friendlies – Varies with each event.
Regional Camp – Varies between approximately $300 and $500 depending on the regional costs and camp duration.
Can I get a refund?
No. ODP does not provide refunds for any reason.
As an organization we want to get the best players into our program. If cost is a concern we have some options that may help. There is a Financial Aid Application that may qualify an eligible player for a partial or complete scholarship. This Application which is forwarded to an outside accounting firm for consideration must be submitted prior to start of the Indoor Sessions. Players who do not qualify for an ODP scholarship can obtain a donation letter.
There is no penalty for missing a session but commitment to the ODP is a consideration. Additionally, the coaching staff needs to see you play and it may improve your chances of getting invited to additional events. KEEP IN MIND THAT EACH SESSION IS A TRYOUT.
PLAYERS MAY NOT ATTEND A MAKE-UP A SESSION WITH A DIFFERENT AGE GROUP! NO EXCEPTIONS!
ODP Administrator –
Ivan Rico – odp@illinoisyouthsoccer.org 847-290-1577 ext. 109
ODP Director of Coaching –
Marek Radziszewski – marekr@illinoisyouthsoccer.org 847-290-1577 ext. 105
Our offices are located at 1655 S. Arlington Heights, Suite 201, Arlington Heights, IL 60005