General Information
The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program 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 State ODP teams are comprised of the best Maryland players in various age groups.
US Youth Soccer is divided into four regions, each Region offers a regional identification camp for state association ODP players in each eligible age group pool. Maryland is part of the East Region. 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 regional pool, or regional team participation.
More information concerning the East Region can be found by clicking here
What it takes to be successful in the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program By: John Ellinger – US Youth Soccer Technical Department
How does ODP fit into Today’s Competitive Soccer Landscape? By: Gandalf French – MSYSA ODP Technical Director
Seasonal year Overview
Please see the calendar linked above for more specific information.
- Tryouts: 12U-17U begins in September
- Invitation only callback tryouts will take place immediately after each age group finishes their open tryouts
- 12U-17U boys and 12U-15U girls, begin training in early January with outdoor sessions on Sundays and virtual classroom sessions through February
- 12U-17U boys and 12U-15U girls pools participate in the Maryland Invitational in late February
- 13U-17U boys and 13U-15U girls pools participate in the Virginia Friendlies in late February
- All groups begin outdoor training on Mondays in March
- Teams of selected players from all age groups participate in the East Region Tournament (invited players only)
- Select players from all age groups will be invited to participate in the East Region Identification Camp without additional cost (invited players only)
Calendar
| Date | Event | Groups | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| July. 1, 2024 | Open Tryout Registration Begins for 2025 | 12-17U boys and girls | Register on ODP Website |
| Sep 8, 2024 | Open Tryouts for 2025 Begin | 12-17U boys and girls | Liberty Park – Upper Marlboro, MD |
| Oct 6, 2024 | Callback Tryouts for 2025 Begin | 12-17U boys and girls | Liberty Park – Upper Marlboro, MD |
| Nov. 18-22, 2024 | Parent/Guardian Meetings for 2024 | 12-17U boys and girls | Via Zoom, link on Parent Page |
| Jan. 5, 2025 | Winter Training Begins | 12-17U boys, 12-17U girls | Liberty Park – Upper Marlboro, MD |
| Feb. 15-16, 2025 | Maryland Invitational | 12-17U boys, 12-17U girls | Liberty Park – Upper Marlboro, MD |
| Feb. 21-23, 2025 | Virginia Friendlies | 12-17U boys, 12-17U girls | Warhill Sports Complex – Williamsburg, VA |
| Mar. 3, 2025 | Spring Training Begins | All age groups | Liberty Park – Upper Marlboro, MD |
| April 14-21, 2025 | International trips | Most age groups | Various International |
| Jun. 6-8, 2025 | East Region ODP Tournament | Invited players only, 12U-17U age groups Boys and Girls | Lancaster, PA (Boys), Hammonton, NJ (Girls) |
| Jul. 5-7, 2025 | Girls East Region ID Camp | Invited players only, all age groups | Farmington, CT |
| Jul. 11-13, 2025 | Boys East Region ID Camp | Invited players only, all age groups | Farmington, CT |
2025 Training Schedule
Please note that training times and locations can change without notice. Please review the information linked below frequently.
Coaching Staff
- ODP Technical Director: Gandalf French
- Goalkeeping
- Director of Goalkeeping: Ryan Deuber
- Goalkeeper Coaches: Nick Papadis, Matt Poell, & Sumer Rahe
- 12U Girls
- Pool Coach: Amanda Casares
- Team Coaches: Angela Amato, Diana Lombardi, Jen Smithson
- 13U Girls
- Pool Coach: Steve Senna
- Team Coaches: Nick Papadis & Rebecca Volk
- 14U Girls
- Pool Coach: Chris Lynch
- Team Coaches: Brooke Greybeck, Sean Martin
- 15U Girls
- Pool Coach: Athena Gramates
- Team Coach: Jess Hnatiuk
- 16U/17U Girls
- Pool Coach: Chris Lynch
- Team Coach: Sarah Dewitt
- 12U Boys
- Pool Coach: Shaun Smithson
- Team Coaches: Othmane Benkhallouk, Emanuele Cocuzza, & Bernie Kolsich
- 13U Boys
- Pool Coach: Corey Childs
- Team Coaches: Marc Burkom, Erwin Diaz, & Oliver Male
- 14U Boys
- Pool Coach: Scott Currie
- Team Coaches: Gavin Dodd & Nathean Meadows
- 15U Boys
- Pool Coach: Jessie Balsamo
- Team Coach: Amanda Casares
- 16U Boys
- Pool Coach: Trevor Shea
- Team Coach: Alex Douyon
- 17U Boys
- Pool Coach: Trevor Shea
- Team Coach: John LaRocca
- Staff Coaches
- Jesse Balsamo, Sarah Dewitt, Alex Douyon, Nathean Meadows, Trevor Shea, Jen Smithson, Shaun Smithson, Julio Zarate
Fees
Program fees vary based on the player age group and gender due to different age appropriate competitions each player pool competes in throughout the year. All fees include the following:
- Uniform kit
- Coach fees
- Field fees
- Certified Athletic Trainers at ALL trainings/events
- Administrative cost
- All trainings
- Regional ID Camp for invited players
Regional Tournament fees ($100), international trips, and travel costs are NOT included in the program fees. Fees for each age group that participates in selected Friendly events covers those events as well.
Information regarding financial assistance and age group specific information can be found below.
Information regarding Cancellation Policies and Program Credits can be found on our website here.
12U Boys & Girls (2014/2013)
Cost: $1,075
Payment plan: A $325 deposit will be due 11/15/2024. Five additional installment payments of $150 will be due on the first of the month and will be automatically withdrawn monthly from January to May, 2025.
Fees for this age group also include the Maryland Invitational. *NEW Option for 2025: add on Virginia Friendlies. Cost $100
13U-17U Boys (2012-2008) & 13U-15U Girls (2012-2010)
Cost: $1,300
Payment plan: A $325 deposit will be due 11/15/2024. Five additional installment payments of $195 will be due on the first of the month and will be automatically withdrawn monthly from January to May, 2025.
Fees for these age groups also include the Virginia Friendlies and the Maryland Invitational.
U17 Girls (2009/2008)
Cost: $1,000
Payment plan: A $175 deposit will be due 11/15/2024. Five additional installment payments of $165 will be due on the first of the month and will be automatically withdrawn monthly from January to May, 2025.
*NEW Option for 2025: add on 5 Winter Training session and 2 additional events. Cost $300
Zoom Links
Login links for the age group classroom sessions have been posted below.
| Age Group Login Links: | Boys | Girls |
|---|---|---|
| 12U | Click Here | Click Here |
| 13U | Click Here | Click Here |
| 14U | Click Here | Click Here |
| 15U | Click Here | Click Here |
| 16U | Click Here | – |
| 17U | Click Here | Click Here |
Financial Aid
There are several ways to receive financial assistance to reduce the cost of participation, including scholarships and sponsorship.
Scholarship
The Need-Based scholarship may be applied for from November 1st to December 1st. All applicants will be notified either way by December 31st.
Scholarship amounts will be primarily based on need and will be assigned as follows:
- Partial scholarship: This award means that the family is responsible for a certain percentage of the program fee. Deposit fees and event fees are not subject to scholarship. The payment schedules with applicable due dates will remain the same, however, with modified amounts.
- Full scholarship: This award means that the family is responsible for none of the program fees. Deposit fees and event fee(s) are not subject to scholarship.
- Travel: Scholarship awards are not typically used for travel to ODP events; however, in rare instances, the MSYSA will consider special circumstances.
***PLEASE NOTE*** All information provided will be kept confidential and destroyed after the current season.
Sponsorship
Players (and their families) may wish to consider sponsorship opportunities to assist in covering some of their cost. To receive sponsorship, players are encouraged to go to local businesses and seek donations. These sponsorship donations are tax deductible for the business and will be credited directly toward the players’ financial responsibilities.
We highly recommend that players utilize our tips, request letter, and fact sheet when addressing businesses or other organizations. All donations should be submitted using the Player Sponsorship Form.
Join Our Coaching Staff!
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The Maryland State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) is accepting coaching resumes from qualified individuals to work with the Maryland State Olympic Development Program (ODP) for the 2025 ODP Cycle.
These are paid coaching positions with vacancies for Team Coaches, and Goalkeeper Coaches for both the boys and girls training pools at our home location, Liberty Park!
Qualified coaches must hold a minimum of the USSF National “D” License (or equivalent) or be in the process of obtaining this license. Additionally candidates must have a proven record displaying their ability to teach the sport and demonstrate they can serve as an ambassador for the association.
Please submit your soccer resume and two (2) references to the MSYSA Technical Director at programs@msysa.org.
Review of qualified coaches for each upcoming ODP Cycle is ongoing. The opportunity to join the staff will remain open until all vacancies are filled. This typically occurs by the end of July, with tryouts starting in September.
Additional Program Information:
Anti-Discrimination Policy:
MSYSA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. MSYSA complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.
Please contact Gandalf French the ODP Technical Director with any questions!