South Bay Force

US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program

The US Youth Soccer ODP Philosophy

To identify players of the highest caliber on a continuing and consistent basis, which will lead to increased success for the U.S. National Teams in the international arena.

Purpose

The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program was formed in 1977 to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a National Team will be selected for international competition; to provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels; and, through the use of carefully selected and licensed coaches, develop a mechanism for the exchange of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching.

Cal South and the ODP

The Cal South ODP has been in existence since 1977, when it was called State Select; in 1982, the name was changed to ODP and girls where added for the first time. Cal South is considered the finest program in the country by placing a large number of players on regional and national teams the fact that Cal South has won more national and regional championships than any other state association or any other ODP program is a big statement. Cal South is proud of the fact that more than 30% of all national team players participating on the men's and women's national teams come from Southern California. We are also very proud of the fact that Cal South ODP players have historically made up anywhere from 45% to 70% of the Regional Pools and Teams each year in all age brackets. No other state association can boast such numbers.

Cal South has a long tradition of providing many of the players that comprise the Regional and National Teams including the World Cup and Olympic Teams. Players such as Marcelo Balboa, Paul Caligiuri, Cobi Jones, Joe-Max Moore, Eric Wynalda, Jovan Kirovski, Landon Donovan, John O'Brien, Chad Marshall , Joy Fawcett, Julie Foudy, Carin Jennings and Jennifer Lawlor have been a part of the Cal South ODP just to name a few. A number of other players are currently on several Major League Soccer teams.

Commencing with the 1999/2000 seasonal year, Cal South implemented a new process for player identification for selection to the Olympic Development Program. This new process relies on the use of a comprehensive player scouting system to identify the top players in Cal South. The main scouting event for ODP will be the Cal South National/State Cup and individual players that are recommended by Club Technical Directors, Club Directors of Coaching and Club Coaches.