Odp

[Unregistered]

And that is the major problem with ODP. There is no doubt that the 18 players that make the Region III are "elite." They should be - they represent the best from an 11-State Area!!

The problem is the process of getting to that final 18. There are literally hundreds of girls that are as equally deserving or more deserving to be in that group of 18 but they never get near that team because of bogus "trials", politics, favor trading, etc. Plus, think about it as a funnel - for an 11-State are the funnel comes down to 18 players only? By the time you even get down to the Region III Pool of about 80 players, you have already left behind many, many more deserving players. Maybe 30-40 years ago when it started that funnel was sized adequately to capture the best talent in a region but nowadays it just leaves too many players out which makes many complain about the entire process so they don't participate and you definitely don't end up with the Best 18 even!

That is why they have about 12 coaches weighing in on players. Soccer is very subjective however having multiple coaches weigh in is the fairest process I know of. Is it perfect, nope but one of the best out there. Much better than a single coach picking a group of 18.

[Unregistered]

Exactly. It is a win/win. If all the DA kids flooded back into ODP, there would still be 18 kids on the region team - they would just be "ex DA" kids.

ODP might be a little watered down now but it is giving other kids a chance to develop beyond their own clubs. Without ODP, the kids that are good (but not talented enough make a DA squad) have no where to go. Also, in the cases where kids live too far from a DA, they now have a venue, beyond club, to improve their skills and exposure.

Once again maybe 9 of the 18 would be ex-DA. Did you happen to read the latest about the u20s. You know, the product of DA? The article compared them with a dumpster fire. Lol

[Unregistered]

My kid was offered a DA position but we could not make the transportation work. My kid did not make the R3 pool. So, just because you are DA, doesn't mean you can even make pool much less R3 team.

[Unregistered]

Exactly. It is a win/win. If all the DA kids flooded back into ODP, there would still be 18 kids on the region team - they would just be "ex DA" kids.

ODP might be a little watered down now but it is giving other kids a chance to develop beyond their own clubs. Without ODP, the kids that are good (but not talented enough make a DA squad) have no where to go. Also, in the cases where kids live too far from a DA, they now have a venue, beyond club, to improve their skills and exposure.

Nailed it!!!

Everyone knows ODP is a nice little money maker but it certainly has been watered down with the growth of boys DA. DA expanding to the younger ages is a further nail. As recent as a few years ago, you were at least getting the best players (13 and younger) attending. Now you are essentially getting the average club players. ODP still charges the same coin.....so everything is fine :) It is still a good experience.

Take a look at the u15 and up MNT rosters....kids are all coming from DA. The ODP kids on the region team would all be displaced by DA kids if they played. The night pool games....everything.

[Unregistered]

That's what I was thinking. There are fewer Canadian football players than NFL players - They must be more elite. LOL

As was stated, DA is a positive thing for ODP as it allows the kids a step behind to fill the ODP spots and get a great experience with good coaching. Some of the kids that make region squad are probably capable of making a DA squad....or at least close enough to get a tryout.

LMAO

Its good stuff isn't it? ODP parents suddenly think their lil johnny is elite. The Florida roster gets worse every year. The entire 01-03 list is a "whos who" of kids that did not get even an invite to a DA squad. Funny stuff.

[Unregistered]

Exactly. It is a win/win. If all the DA kids flooded back into ODP, there would still be 18 kids on the region team - they would just be "ex DA" kids.

ODP might be a little watered down now but it is giving other kids a chance to develop beyond their own clubs. Without ODP, the kids that are good (but not talented enough make a DA squad) have no where to go. Also, in the cases where kids live too far from a DA, they now have a venue, beyond club, to improve their skills and exposure.

Can we at least agree that Boys ODP is decent? I will grant that girls ODP has been poor. Hopefully the GDA does not have the same effect on DA as a rule.

[Unregistered]

My kid has been a member of the R3 team for 2 years now and has twice received invites to tryout at DA. First year he did not make it and this past year he chose not to attend tryout.

[Unregistered]

Can we at least agree that Boys ODP is decent? I will grant that girls ODP has been poor. Hopefully the GDA does not have the same effect on DA as a rule.

Oh great, here comes Mr. Wife Beater. Look, ODP might be a step below DA but it is still a gathering of good soccer talent. This has nothing to do with gender you troll!!

[Unregistered]

Oh great, here comes Mr. Wife Beater. Look, ODP might be a step below DA but it is still a gathering of good soccer talent. This has nothing to do with gender you troll!!

This is correct
For those that participate ODP is competitive and a high level
Fir those that bellyache sitting on couch complaining majority is because there kid didn't get selected for ODP

[Unregistered]

LMAO

Its good stuff isn't it? ODP parents suddenly think their lil johnny is elite. The Florida roster gets worse every year. The entire 01-03 list is a "whos who" of kids that did not get even an invite to a DA squad. Funny stuff.

Some people ought to go out and watch the ODP boys play. Impressive. Keep it in perspective. ODP can not be compared to DA because DA is a full time program where the players train together day in and day out. ODP players are elite and when they come together it is dynamite considering they don't come together often. People need to stop comparing the programs because they serve different purposes for the players who participate in them.

[Unregistered]

My Son was on ODP last year 1st team 03 and he had a blast 90% of that team is now DA. That is the last time that will ever happen because the U12 DA just made all those kids ineligible. It sucks for ODP but the kids are now getting 10 months of training. USSF should allow DA Players play ODP then we will here the complaint that the DA players took the ODP spots. Like we here on the girls side all the ECNL girls took all the spots.

[Unregistered]

My Son was on ODP last year 1st team 03 and he had a blast 90% of that team is now DA. That is the last time that will ever happen because the U12 DA just made all those kids ineligible. It sucks for ODP but the kids are now getting 10 months of training. USSF should allow DA Players play ODP then we will here the complaint that the DA players took the ODP spots. Like we here on the girls side all the ECNL girls took all the spots.

But let me ask you this....If you kid is already in the DA system, what is the need for ODP in your kid's particular case? ODP should remain an option for those kids that either do not want to play at a DA for a variety of reasons or do not make for a variety of reasons but are talented enough to stand out from the crowd (hence the try outs and pool training for identification for state,region team).

[Unregistered]

Can we at least agree that Boys ODP is decent? I will grant that girls ODP has been poor. Hopefully the GDA does not have the same effect on DA as a rule.

Actually, we can't agree on that. Ask around the Girls ODP side is has higher level players than the Boys side. Girls side not watered down by DA (yet).

[Unregistered]

But let me ask you this....If you kid is already in the DA system, what is the need for ODP in your kid's particular case? ODP should remain an option for those kids that either do not want to play at a DA for a variety of reasons or do not make for a variety of reasons but are talented enough to stand out from the crowd (hence the try outs and pool training for identification for state,region team).

Because DA kids need to play for fun as well......That is all ODP would be.

[Unregistered]

If DA is not not fun for your kid, why commit that kind off time to it.
That should tell you all you need to know.

At whatever competitive level, soccer is still a 'game' and should be enjoyed for what it is.