The US Youth Soccer ODP is a national identification and development program for high-level players.  The program identifies  and develops youth players throughout the country to represent their state and regional associations.  At the state association level, pools of players are identified in each eligible age group, and brought together as a team to develop their skill through training and competition.  From the state pools and subsequent teams, players are identified for regional and national pools and teams.  Maryland ODP teams are comprised of the best Maryland players in various age groups.

Maryland ODP Eligibility policy

• A player must be registered and in good standing with US Youth Soccer/Maryland State Youth Soccer Association to register and participate in the Maryland ODP.
• A player is eligible to participate in the Maryland ODP if he or she resides in Maryland.
• A player is eligible to participate in the Maryland ODP provided that he or she meets the age requirements for the established age group.
• Players participating in the US Soccer Development Academy are not eligible to participate in the ODP, per Development Academy rules.

2012-13 Eligibility

To be eligible for the 2012-13 Maryland ODP, players must be born within the following years:

• Development as a player
• Opportunity to train and play with the best players in one’s age group
• Quality instruction from nationally licensed coaches
• Quality Inter-regional competition
• Exposure to college, regional and national team coaches
• Opportunity to represent one’s state, region or country in competition

1. To identify a pool of players in each age group from which a United States National Team will be selected for international competition.
2. To provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels.
3. Through the use of carefully selected licensed coaches, develop a mechanism for the enhancement of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching.

Please download, complete and submit the 2012-13 Maryland ODP Scholarship Application Packet to apply for financial assistance. All applications packets are due in the MSYSA office no later than COB on Friday, January 11, 2013.

Players and families are also encouraged to seek sponsorships from friends, family members and local businesses to help defray program costs. MSYSA is a 501 (c) (3) organization and donations are tax deductable for the donor. Please visit the ODP Forms webpage to download sponsorship information, forms and tips.

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Please contact the MSYSA 410-768-5401 with any questions about Maryland ODP financial assistance.

Regional Camps
US YOUTH SOCCER is divided into four regions, each of which offers a regional camp for state association ODP teams in each eligible age group. The camps are designed to provide high level competition and training for participating players. During this training and competition, players who are capable of performing at a higher level of play are identified for possible national camp, pool or team participation. Each region varies somewhat as to the specifics and the cost of their camps. Your state association or regional administrator should be contacted for more information. Again, if you do not have those numbers, contact the National Office. For more information, please visit the ODP Page on www.region1.com

National Camp
National Camps and Interregional events are held throughout the year at various locations. The National Team Coach or a National Staff Coach is present at these events to observe, train and identify players for placement in the national pool or on a national team. Players for the National Camp are selected at Regional Camp events.

Region 1 ODP Mission Statement

US Youth Soccer Policy on Players and Playing Rules