District II Olympic Development Program
District II ODP Coordinator: Jack Rosenhan (650) 494-3335 (e-mail: usys.odp@gmail.com)
Table of Contents
ODP Introduction
The Olympic Development Program (ODP) is a national process for identifying and developing the best youth soccer players. The process promotes players to the U.S. National Teams, which represent the United States in international competition, such as the Youth World Cup and the Olympics.
The main ODP objective is to identify, evaluate and train highly talented male and female youth soccer players. As part of this national effort, the CYSA ODP is dedicated to developing the highest level of youth soccer.
District II ODP is open for tryout to all players and provides the ultimate experience and training for the players selected. District II's ODP players compete against players from other districts within CYSA, ultimately leading to the selection of state and regional ODP participants, and national team invitees.
Each year several players from all over CYSA (including many District II players) are selected for national boys and girls teams. District II ODP tryouts are held in the spring of each year, while the state tryouts are held in December for the following year's State ODP pools. Regional ODP camps are generally held in late June or July. This program opens numerous opportunities for our youth players.
District II Tryouts for 2010/2011 ODP
2010/2011 District II ODP tryouts will be held on Saturday May 8th, Saturday May 15th, and Sunday May 16th at the Morgan Hill Soccer Complex. Location is subject to change. There are no tryouts on Sunday May 9th in observance of Mother’s Day.
All boys and girls who are not already part of the Cal-North or Region IV ODP pools and were born between 1/01/95 and 12/31/98, are eligible to try out. (Players in those existing pools receive automatic invitations to the next year’s State ODP tryouts.) Advance registration is just $25. Download the registration form.
Tryout times on all days:
| 9:00 | - | 11:00 | All Boys |
| 11:00 | - | 1:00 | All Girls |
| 1:00 | - | 3:00 | All Boys |
| 3:00 | - | 5:00 | All Girls |
CYSA-North 2009/2010 ODP Tryouts
District II had its most successful ODP placement year ever, sending an unprecedented 134 players (74% of those participating) District II players to try out for the State ODP pool! This is the result of the highly qualified, dedicated volunteer ODP coaching staff members, who work long and hard to move our players along. Coach Michael Gokey, 97 Boys; Coach Mike Salvemini, 96 Boys; and Coach Jacob Pickard, 94 Boys were able to garner invitations for all or almost all of their players to the State Tryouts! Other ODP coaches also did very well, and we congratulate them as well as all the players for a fine showing. Here is the complete list of District 2 players attending the 2009-2010 State ODP tryouts.
Coaching for DII ODP
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is ODP a big commitment?
Yes, ODP is a big commitment if you are one of the fortunate 20 players chosen. You are expected to participate in 1 – 3 practice sessions or games per week, which can begin right after tryouts and continue through the summer. There are also extra practices and/or scrimmages to prepare for ODP Play Dates in September and October.
- How long is the District II ODP Season?
The District II ODP season runs from mid-May until mid-October, at which time the selections for invitation to the State ODP pool are made.
- When are ODP practice days, and where are the practices held?
Each coach selects his or her own practice days and fields. Fields are at a premium in District II, but coaches try to secure a field which is centrally located whenever possible.
- Will participating in ODP conflict with my club team?
ODP should not conflict with your club/league team.
- Will I receive confirmation that my child is registered for ODP?
No. Just assume that he or she is.
- Should I enclose a copy of my child's birth certificate?
Not at this time. It is only necessary if your child is selected for the District II Olympic Development Program.
- Are "Politics" a Big Part of the Tryout Process?
Soccer legend Anson Dorrance, head coach at the University of North Carolina and former US national team coach, has written a short article discussing his views on the role "politics" plays in the tryout process. The article relates in an interesting way to the difficulty of making ODP selections, and the challenge this poses for players. This is valuable reading for both ODP hopefuls and their parents. Download the article.
- What Are Coaches Looking for in US Youth Soccer ODP?
Have you ever said, "I wish I knew what the ODP coaches were looking for?" The U.S. Youth Soccer Technical Department has published a paper that describes in detail the technical skills, tactical qualities, fitness level, and pyschological makeup of players that US Youth Soccer ODP coaches select at the District, State, and Regional ODP levels. If you (or your son or daughter) have what it takes, you could find yourself moving up through the most successful ODP identification process in the U.S. — perhaps all the way to the U.S. youth national teams! Read the article.
The Near Post
D2 Spring Soccer League
Registration for the 2010 District II Spring League play is now open. Click here to obtain more information and to register your team.
D2 Coaching Courses
Click here to obtain information about coaching courses that have been scheduled within District II.
D2 Spring Cup
Register by April 10, 2010 for the District II Spring Cup which will take place the weekend of June 5th. Click here to obtain more information.
D2 ODP Tryouts
Registration is now open for players born between 01/01/1995 and 12/31/1998 who are interested in trying out for District II’s 2010-2011 ODP teams. Registration forms are currently being mailed to eligible players, but you can obtain more information or download the registration form by clicking here.
D2 Referee Classes
Click here to view the dates and times when the entry level Grade 8 Referee Clinics are being offered.
District II Players Make State ODP Pool
Congratulations are in order for our fine District II ODP players who advanced to the CYSA ODP State Pool. We wish them luck as they progress through the ODP process and once again thank our wonderful, talented volunteer ODP coaches (Michael Gokey, Mike Salvemini, Izzie Mendoza, Jacob Picard, Matt Schembri, Dawn Hill, Chris Fitzpatrick and Reza Taheri) who helped to make this all possible. Once again, more District II players advance to the State Pool than from any other district in the State. You make us all proud! The complete list of players that made the State ODP Pool can be found here.
CYSA State Playing League
CYSA is in the midst of proposing a new statewide structure for a competitive soccer playing league. Learn about the league here.
