Weibe: The SYL was granted ODP status in August of 2002 for two programs. These programs are 1) The SYL Finals as a National ODP event where players where will be scouted by US Soccer National Staff Coaches; and 2) The formation of Regional Select ID Weekends where players will be scouted by US Soccer National Staff Coaches.

The number one resource that we have in this country is the clubs themselves for identifying players. Under the guidance of SYL Technical Directors, John Doyle and Peter Vermes, the SYL has set up a National Scouting System that involves the clubs themselves to identify players.

At the end of the season each SYL region in each age group will have a Regional Select Team Pool that will attend a Regional Identification Weekend, where players will be selected to a Regional Team. From there players will be identified for US National Team Programs.

Please note that there is no connection with this system and the USYS ODP system. It is the belief of the SYL and its membership that this will provide a better system and a better alternative for players to be identified for US National Team Programs.

Some clubs now feel that the State ODP programs operated by USYS have become a second club team to the players, where in some cases players are forced to choose between their State ODP and club commitments. Our belief, is the identification of players is best done in a players natural environment within their clubs and players should be identified through their performance in league play, just as it is done in other countries throughout the world.

The State ODP system is somewhat flawed from the start, because it is an open tryout process. That system allows for players to be overlooked and politicizes itself for selection of players. Other cases of not getting the best players include players not being able to afford the State ODP programs, the players do not try-out for various reasons, they play other sports or their parents can not afford the time to arrange travel to training sessions.

Essentially, we have put a lot of faith into the club system and we our confident that they will make this the best opportunity for players to be identified without pulling the players in different directions outside of their club environment.