What is ODP?

Tryouts are held on the last weekend of July at Independence Park, the home of the ODP. During the tryouts, players participate in 3 to 4 sessions, each lasting between 90 minutes to two hours, over 1.5 days, with the duration adjusted according to age group and player turnout. After the sessions, coaches select standout players who are then invited to join the Winter Pool Training Squad (WPTS).

The Winter Pool Training Squad (WPTS) is an invitation-only program for players selected during the July and November tryouts. Participants typically attend five indoor training sessions throughout the winter, providing an opportunity for skill development and evaluation. At the final session, state teams are announced on the field.

State teams are typically composed of 16 field players and 1-2 goalkeepers per age group or team, with approximately six alternates, though roster sizes may vary. These teams are selected based on player performance during the Winter Pool Training Squad (WPTS) sessions. Final selections are announced on the field after the winter training program.

The Midwest Regional Camp (MWRC) is an invitation-only, high-level training opportunity led by US Youth Soccer (USYS). This camp brings together the top ODP players from across the Midwest Region to train and compete in Illinois. Players are evaluated by the regional coaching staff for potential selection to the Midwest Region Team. Each state recommends its top 8-10 field players and 1-2 goalkeepers per age group to attend. Players who are not initially recommended can still earn an invitation through scouting at the Subregional Event in June.

The Midwest Regional Team is composed of top players selected from the Midwest Regional Camp. These players are invited to compete at the Interregional event, held in January of the following year in Florida. At this prestigious event, the Midwest Regional Team faces off against the best regional teams from across the country. Players have the opportunity to showcase their talent and are evaluated for potential selection to the ODP National Team.

The ODP National Team is an invite-only program, with selections made from the top players across all regions. Those chosen will receive further details directly from US Youth Soccer (USYS) regarding training, competition opportunities, and the next steps in their development at the national level.

Yes, your player can still participate in the ODP cycle 24/25. They must be registered
before the July registration close date. MSYSA State Office holds approximately 10 spots
per age group/gender for players who have a conflict and cannot attend ANY of their
assigned tryout times. These spots are held on a first come first served basis. Players
attending the “alternate tryout” will attend a one-off, 2-hour tryout indoors over in
November.

• Players are exposed to high-level coaches from around the state (college coaches, high-level club coaches, high school coaches, Regional staff coaches, and US Soccer scouts)
• ODP players can play against some of the best players in their state, region, and country
• ODP can be a pathway to the Region Team, National Team, college recruitment, and even professional soccer
• Participation in ODP will help players build their ‘soccer resume’
• MSYSA State Office offers several college scholarship opportunities including one specific to ODP participants

Yes, it is permissible for a player to participate in ODP if they are playing in club soccer.
MSYSA offers ODP to all its members to enhance the player’s soccer experience. The
program was designed by US Youth Soccer to allow players to further their development
and provide them with additional opportunities.

We realize that players may on occasion have a conflict with an ODP event. We
encourage players to communicate with both their club coaches and ODP coaches to
work out any conflicts. We respect the need for players to attend club events and
missing an ODP event for a scheduling conflict is not an issue. Players will NOT be
penalized for this. We do ask that you email stateoffice@michiganyouthsoccer.org in
advance to advise of any conflicts. Include the player’s first/last name and birth year in
the email.

Any player registered with MSYSA born in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, & 2015 is eligible to participate in ODP cycle 25/26!

Our preference is that players attend all assigned sessions, we understand that there
will be scheduling conflicts with other activities/family trips, etc. and for this reason,
players will not be penalized for missing a session. We do ask that they let MSYSA know
in advance by emailing: stateoffice@michiganyouthsoccer.org to advise of any conflicts.
Include the player’s first/last name and birth year in the email. Remember: The more
sessions the player attends, the better their evaluation will be and their chances of
progressing with the program.

Pool players are players selected after the ODP ID Weekend to move forward to the
winter pool training squad. These players will attend 4-5, 2-hour indoor training sessions
over winter. The cost for these sessions is $275 ($55.00 per session).

There is no set number of players that can move to the winter pool training squad.
Typically, coaches select their top 30-35, plus any players they want to move forward
from the alternate tryout.

While attending these 4 training sessions, players are being further evaluated for a
selection to a Michigan ODP State Team.

A State Team player is a player who has been selected to represent Michigan in state
tournaments, sub-regional events, and friendlies. State Team players will be evaluated
for the opportunity to attend the Midwest Region ID Camp.

A State Team typically consists of 16 field players and 2 goalkeepers, plus any alternates
named.

At times, State Team players may be unable to attend events. In these instances, a
player from the alternate list will have an opportunity to participate.

Coaches may select up to 6 alternates per age/group gender for their State Team pool.

At the end of the final session of the ODP ID Weekend, the jersey numbers of those
players moving forward to the winter pool training squad will be announced on the
field. An email in the days following will be sent from the MSYSA State Office (to the
email address used for registration) listing the jerseys of those players moving forward
to the winter pool training squad.

Recommendations for the Midwest Region ID Camp will be made by our State Coaches
and sent to USYS approximately 1 month after tryouts. This information is not shared
with players/families until USYS reaches out with invitations

For those who move forward to the winter pool training squad, State Team
announcements are usually made on the field after the final winter pool training
session. We do allow coaches a 7 day window after the final training to announce a
team if extra time is needed. An email in the days following will be sent from the MSYSA
State Office (to the email address used for registration) listing the jerseys of those
players named to the State Team as a player or alternate.

State Coaches and Region Staff observe and evaluate players throughout the ODP Cycle.
Recommendations are made from these observations. It is important to note that the
initial invitations will come from US Youth Soccer after April 1, 2025, however, players
will be evaluated through the entire cycle. Players can be recommended for their
performances at sub-regional events/friendlies etc.

$125.00 Registration March – April 30, 2025

$150.00 Registration May 1 – May 31, 2025

$175.00 Registration June 1 – June 15, 2025

$200 Registration June 16 – Before tryouts

Winter Pool Training: For those players selected to move forward to the winter pool
training squad a fee of $275 is due within 1 month. This fee is for five (5) training
sessions. This equates to $55.00 for each 2-hour training session. This fee covers
insurance, coaching fees, onsite athletic trainers, facility rentals, etc.

MSYSA’s refund policy is listed on the registration form completed for each player and can also
be found on our website. There are no refunds unless you can provide the MSYSA State Office
with a documented injury report from a medical doctor (for your child), before the tryouts/training. If/when supplied, a refund, less $50, is provided.

There will be additional costs for players attending sub-regional events and friendlies.
Costs are dependent on the location of the event. Typically, costs are between $50-250
depending on the location of the event.

State Team uniforms. Players will order their uniforms online from Soccer Village. Price
varies from year to year, typically a full kit is approximately $95. Players will select their
size and uniforms will be shipped to the players. All State Team players are required to
have a uniform to wear to friendlies and subregional events.

Winter training locations will be announced after the July tryouts. Depending on facility
availability we may use facilities in Livonia, Canton, Wixom, and/or Washington
Townships.

Training dates and times will not be made available immediately after teams have been
announced. Please be patient. We have to work around many tournaments and schedules to
schedule 110 hours of winter training for all our teams. As soon as it is available, email
communications will be sent, and the dates and times will be posted on our website.

Parents are welcome to watch from a distance. Please be supportive and avoid yelling
out or sideline coaching.

On your first day of tryouts, players are asked to arrive 30-45 minutes early.

At check-in, players will receive their ODP tryout shirt. This shirt must be worn to all ID
Weekend sessions and winter pool training sessions (if the player progresses to the next
round). Shirts may not be the size you wanted; however, we are not able to switch them
out due to the individual number allocated to each participant before the tryout.

Players will check-in at the check-in tent with MSYSA State Office staff.

If you don’t already, please follow us on social media. MSYSA regularly posts updates for
ODP on Facebook and Instagram as well as on our website. For Facebook:
@msysasoccer. For Instagram: MSYSA. There is a dedicated ODP page on our website:
ODP25/26

This season MSYSA has engaged Team Genius to take care of our player feedback. All
players will receive an individual link that will take them to their evaluation. This
information will be available each season so players can track their progress. Players will
not receive any other written or verbal feedback (other than in the normal coaching
process).

No. All correspondence MUST go through the MSYSA State Office. Please email any
questions/concerns for your coach or to report and absence to:
stateoffice@michiganyouthsoccer.org. Your email will be forwarded to the coach if
necessary or answered by the MSYSA State Office.

Julie Pearson is your State Office contact for ODP.