The Super Y-League was granted ODP status in August of 2002 for two programs. These programs are 1) The Super Y-League Finals as a National ODP event where players where will be scouted by US Soccer National Staff Coaches; and 2) The formation of Divisional 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.  At the end of the season each Super Y-League division in each age group will have a Division ODP Team that will attend an Identification Weekend in January, where players will be selected to a National Select ODP Team. From there players will be identified for US National Team Programs.

Please note that there is no connection with this system and the US Youth Soccer ODP system. It is the belief of the Super Y-League 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 US Youth Soccer 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 that the identification of players is best done in a player's 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, 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 are 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.