Frequently Asked Questions

1.    How does the program work?
ODP teams are based out of the Mass Youth Soccer office in Lancaster, MA.  There is one state team per gender/age group, U13 through U17. Tryouts are in August every year.  Younger age groups will have callback tryouts, older age groups may not.  Tryouts determine which players will be included in the ODP Pool teams.  The pool teams have indoor practices every other week from early January through the end of March, at which time the Pool teams are cut down to the final ODP teams.  The final ODP teams practice outdoor every week (usually on Monday and Friday afternoons) from April through the end of June, and attend camps, play-days, and tournaments in that time.

2.    How large are the player pools?
All age groups are a little different, but roughly anywhere from 27 to 45 players are in each pool. 

3.    How much does the program cost?
The indoor pool fee is around $250, and the final team fee is around $1000.  ODP is a self-funded program; these numbers will vary depending on what facilities charge us to rent indoor space, and what the Region charges us to send players to camp and tournaments.  ODP does offer scholarships; the scholarship application is included in the Player Handbook sent to those players that make the indoor pool teams.  Some or all of the expense of the program can be offset by selling ads for the ODP Yearbook; information on that is also included in the Player Handbook.

4.    What is ID Camp?  Does everyone get to go?
ID Camp is the opportunity for Massachusetts ODP players to be identified by regional and national ODP coaches, and considered for inclusion on the regional and national ODP teams.  ID Camp is offered only to the players who make it through the March Release date, onto the "final" ODP teams.  The region sets all the policies dealing with ID camp.

5.      How many people can go to the ODP Tournament?
This is a Region 1 policy: 18 players can go to the tournament. The U13 and U14 boys and girls are double teams, which means we are able to bring 36 players in those age groups(2 teams of 18).

6.      Are we playing every weekend on the indoor schedule?
No, you will probably be playing twice a month for about a 5-hour period. You will have a practice, a classroom session, and scrimmage time during each of these periods.

7.      At the ODP Mini-Camp weekend will you still be able to make your MAPLE games?
Yes, we will be done on Sunday morning around 10:30 – 11:00am.  We have made great efforts to allow for MAPLE games and still have a quality camp opportunity that will include Regional and National Staff Coaches.

8.      We received an invoice in the player packet.  Who do we make payment out to and where do we send it?
Payment should be made out to Mass Youth Soccer and it should be mailed to Mass Youth Soccer, Attn: ODP, 512 Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster, MA 01523.  You can also pay your ODP Fees online.

9.      I never received my player packet in the mail, how do I get a copy of one?
If you don't receive a player packet by the end of November and you know for a fact you have been accepted into the pool, please contact Kate at the office at kmurphy@mayouthsoccer.org, or 978-466-8812 ext. 221 and she will make sure that you receive one as soon as possible.

10.    I filled out the player code of conduct and medical release that was included in the player packet.  Where do I send it?
The player code of conduct and medical release are to be given to your team administrator.  DO NOT SEND THESE TO THE MASS YOUTH SOCCER OFFICE.  If you don't know who your team administrator is, you will meet him/her at your first practice.  If after that date you still don't know who they are, call or email Kate at the Mass Youth Soccer office.

11.  I wanted to reserve an ad for the cover of the yearbook but I was told they have already been taken.  I really don't have the money for my child to play in the program.  What other options do I have?
We set the ads at certain prices, but that does not mean that advertisers can't give more than asked.  If a company wants to donate money to your child they can pay as much as they want even if it is more then the ad they receive.  This doesn't happen often, but if a company offers, we greatly accept because we will do everything we can to help the children play the game.  There is no limit to the number of full-page, half-page, quarter-page etc. ads that you may sell.

12.  How many players will be taken after the pool cut?
This question is not that easy to answer.  This program is based on talent and not a certain number of players being involved.  A prediction but not a concrete number would be somewhere between 22 and 25.

13.  How many goalkeepers will be accepted to move on, and out of those, after Pool training, how many will be taken to Rider Cup?
We are not sure how many will move on to the next level, this will be based on what we have for talent.  Usually 2 goalkeepers will go to the Rider Tournament but sometimes we take only one.

14.  I have heard about a Super-Y ODP as well, is the same thing as Mass Youth ODP?
No. US Youth Soccer ODP is the original and primary route of player identification for our regional and national teams.  This program has been in existence since 1977 and continues to be the route of creation for regional and national teams.  The overwhelming majority of players who have played for our national teams have participated in US Youth Soccer's ODP.