OLYMPIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Massachusetts Youth Soccer is proud to present its Olympic Development Program. It is a unique opportunity for elite players to grow and develop in the game in a fun and highly competitive environment. It is the ONLY youth soccer program in Massachusetts that is designed entirely for the development of the individual player rather than for team achievements. Do you want to play, learn in a competitive environment that exposes you to regional, national and even international play? Do you want to be coached by highly trained and experienced Nationally licensed Coaches who are more concerned with your development as a player and as an athlete? If so.....ODP is for you!
What is ODP?
ODP is the original national identification and development program for high-level and elite players. It was established in 1977 as the US Youth Soccer Select Team Program and boasts a time-tested infrastructure and the experience to deliver international travel and competition, exposure, scholarships and other exclusive opportunities not available in any other program.
ODP is the only elite player program with more than 25 years of experience and verifiable results. Only ODP can claim that a majority of current and past players on the United States Men's, Women's and Youth teams are alumni.
Simply put, ODP is an opportunity to train with and compete against the best players at the State, Regional, and National levels.
What are the goals of ODP?
ODP was designed to identify a pool of players in each age group from which United States Men's, Women's, and Youth National Team pools can be selected for international competition.
With a staff of some of the finest and most experienced Coaches, ODP provides a high level training to benefit and enhance the development of individual players at all levels.
How are players selected for ODP?
ODP conducts open tryouts every year. Tryout schedules are posted on this web-site.
Mass Youth also scouts for players at US Youth Soccer and Massachusetts Youth Soccer, State, Regional and National events and during league and club play at US Youth Soccer events and tournaments.
US Youth Soccer selects its Regional Team pools only from players that participate in sanctioned US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program events.
Each player is evaluated on the four basic components of the game
1. Technique or ball skills
2. Tactical sense or decision making ability
3. Fitness and athletic ability
4. Attitude
What are the benefits of participating in ODP?
ODP is designed to help each individual player grow and develop in the game. Team success takes a back seat to the individual player. In this way ODP is unique. It provides a highly competitive soccer environment and encourages individual development rather than success on the scoreboard or in league standings.
At ODP, a player has the opportunity to train, play, and compete with the best players in the State and Region and to learn through individualized traing from some of the best and most experienced coaches in the country.
Costs of playing at ODP are subsidized by US Yotuh Soccer and by Region 1.
ODP has long-standing relationships with collegiate, professional, Regional and National team programs. Playing with ODP offers each player exposure to these programs and coaches that otherwise would never have seen them play.
ODP is a wonderful opportunity to represent Massachusetts Youth Soccer, Region 1 and even the United States in regional and even international competition
What sets Mass Youth ODP apart from other youth soccer programs?
ODP is an opportunity to learn, improve and develop in a friendly, highly competitive environment from Coaches and a Program that puts YOU first. Our primary concern is to ensure that each of our ODP players has a positive and career changing experience in the game. It is the only place you will find that players come before teams.
Should you have any questions about Massachusetts Youth Soccer Olympic Olympic Development Program and what it might mean to you as a young soccer player, please contact our ODP Director, Jared Scarpaci, at jfscarpaci@gmail.com.