ODP Friendlies

[Guest]

Ok your loss, ODP is a top platform to be identified for national team and Olympics team.

My daughter did ODP for four years. It was a good experience until 9th grade. Then it conflicts with ECNL showcases and games. So she was only able to make a couple of ODP events. Region camp last year was a joke. Very disappointed. One scrimmage for four teams because they only had a handful of folks there to watch and pick teams. Needless to say she was done after that. All the ECNL players didn’t come back the next year.

P.S. If Olympics or NT is your daughters goal then focus on ECNL or GA team. If they happen to be selected, ODP is a third after thought. NT scouts aren’t going to ODP events. They are going to ECNL and GA events.

[Guest]

ODP is actually a better platform than GA, but I guess it’s still a well kept secret. The ones that participate get the opportunities the ones that do not miss out.

ODP was down in NJ for a while but has gotten its act together and are once again attracting top players especially at the older age groups. #NJODPProud

[Guest]

ODP was down in NJ for a while but has gotten its act together and are once again attracting top players especially at the older age groups. #NJODPProud

The NJ teams are actually not that good at older age groups. Just a function of most Jersey players are electing to prioritize club then ODP. Dominated by PA in regions and that is with mainly USYS PA players.

[Guest]

ODP is actually a better platform than GA, but I guess it’s still a well kept secret. The ones that participate get the opportunities the ones that do not miss out.

You shouldn't drink so heavily on the weekend when you're presumedly around kids more

[Guest]

The NJ Blaze is proud to announce that the tryouts for the 2022-2023 season will take place next month at our new home location, located at Monmouth Regional High School, in Tinton Falls.

Registration portals for both open session evaluations and tryouts are now open.

NJ Blaze Staff
NJBLAZESA.COM

[Guest]

ODP was down in NJ for a while but has gotten its act together and are once again attracting top players especially at the older age groups. #NJODPProud

What did they do to turn things around and attract top talent again?

[Guest]

What did they do to turn things around and attract top talent again?

good question- based on what we saw - this year the tryouts attracted a lot of players. More than the year prior (Covid). So it seems to be a numbers factor- more to choose from gives you more options, better players. I will say not the entire team my kid played on was amazing but all were solid. There were definitely some that stood out more than others. But in general those that stood out really showcased well and winning all games some by a large margin made it obvious the talent pool had changed for NJ.

[Guest]

good question- based on what we saw - this year the tryouts attracted a lot of players. More than the year prior (Covid). So it seems to be a numbers factor- more to choose from gives you more options, better players. I will say not the entire team my kid played on was amazing but all were solid. There were definitely some that stood out more than others. But in general those that stood out really showcased well and winning all games some by a large margin made it obvious the talent pool had changed for NJ.

ODP U16-U17 has great teams. Better than the so called elite leagues but that’s to be expected when you have a collection of all stars.

[Guest]

ODP U16-U17 has great teams. Better than the so called elite leagues but that’s to be expected when you have a collection of all stars.

If a bunch of USYS players is elite, then you haven’t watched much ECNL/GA soccer.

[Guest]

If a bunch of USYS players is elite, then you haven’t watched much ECNL/GA soccer.

Isn't that exactly where those elite ECNL/GA players came from? They all play in EDP until u13/u14.

[Guest]

Admittedly not in NJ so I’ll concede the possibility that NJ just happens to garner all the best players in the state….but lending that, in our state, ODP has one low-level ECNL player, one mid-level GA player, and the rest are NPL players. None that play HS were all-state or all conference (in their private schools). Same with the surrounding states to a degree (I don’t know them all)

that being said if you can’t make the full time commitment for an ECNL or GA it’s a good way to get exposure to colleges.

Dont buy into
the Olympic name-That’s an old marketing schtick that is. O longer valid

[Guest]

Isn't that exactly where those elite ECNL/GA players came from? They all play in EDP until u13/u14.

Yup. Some players don’t jump until 10th. It’s funny how people think that these players are trained at ECNL/GA. Most of top talent replace the players that fell into ECNL/GA. Many only play for 3 years or less.

[Guest]

ODP is actually a quality experience and a great opportunity to bolster college exposure. Not sure why so many trash it.

You should keep it a secret and stop telling everyone. I will now go back to not ever thinking about ODP.

[Guest]

Admittedly not in NJ so I’ll concede the possibility that NJ just happens to garner all the best players in the state….but lending that, in our state, ODP has one low-level ECNL player, one mid-level GA player, and the rest are NPL players. None that play HS were all-state or all conference (in their private schools). Same with the surrounding states to a degree (I don’t know them all)

that being said if you can’t make the full time commitment for an ECNL or GA it’s a good way to get exposure to colleges.

Dont buy into
the Olympic name-That’s an old marketing schtick that is. O longer valid

Great point on not falling for the “Olympic” name. But it’s hard for parents not to do. Look at the self proclaimed GA “top platform for girls in the country”. Everyone knows that’s not the case.

[Guest]

Great point on not falling for the “Olympic” name. But it’s hard for parents not to do. Look at the self proclaimed GA “top platform for girls in the country”. Everyone knows that’s not the case.

GA is way closer to being the top platform than ODP is to the Olympics.