SYL ODP Camps Underway
Top ’89-’91 boys set for four day showcase camp
 Thursday, January 10
COCOA, FL – United Soccer Leagues first event of the 2008 season kicked off today here in Cocoa, Florida as the top 10 percent of the Super Y-League’s boys U17, U16 and U15 players descended upon the Cocoa Expo Center. This event, heavily scouted and coached by elite-level collegiate coaches, represents the first of four SYL ODP events USL will coordinate between today and Sunday, February 10.
“The most important aspect of this particular age group is that you, the players, are seen and evaluated by as many college coaches as possible,” said SYL ODP Technical Director John Hannan of the Washington Crossfire during the camp’s opening ceremonies. “Even if the coach of the school you want to be seen by is not here, I guarantee you someone here knows them – if not, they know us.”
Hannan, the Technical Director of all four SYL ODP camps, reiterated the importance of networking to the 250+ athletes hailing from Vancouver to Vermont and California back to Miami.
All staff coaches, many of them Division I coaches at the collegiate level, will be available to the players seeking advice on how to break into the upper echelon of college soccer.
 Hannan introduced each of the staff coaches during opening ceremonies, which included college coaches: Chad Wiseman of West Michigan University, Jimmy Walker of Penn State, Jason Mims of Creighton University, Erine Yarborough from the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Frank Speth of Ohio State, Chris Grassie of the University of Michigan, Matt Dwyer of Loyola College, Richard Reese of the University of Washington and Rick King of Valparaiso University. Former professional players include: Colin McCurdy who played for several Irish clubs and ten-year MLS veteran Scott Cannon.
Following opening ceremonies players met with their individual coaches for the first time and competed in small-sided games focused on familiarizing the players with their teammates for the next three days.
About the ODP National Camps
Over the course of the season, the top players in the USL Super Y-League [U.S. and Canada] were selected by the ODP Scouting System to attend the ODP National Camp. Now, during an intense four-day combine at the ODP National Camps, players will be evaluated by ODP Staff Coaches. During this time, players will learn the demands required of players at the highest levels of the game and gain the opportunity to be seen directly by numerous university coaches.
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