The Illinois Olympic Development Program or ODP is the start of the identification process for the National and Olympic Teams. The Illinois Youth Soccer Association conducts the program for US Soccer under the jurisdiction of the US Olympic Committee. The purpose of this prestigious program is to identify players on the basis of open tryouts and develop them to represent their state, region, and t
he United States in soccer competition. ODP teams are formed in each of the 55 US Youth Soccer State Associations and four regions and are made up of the best players in the various age groups. At the state level, players are selected to participate in pool trainings and competitions against other state teams throughout the winter and based on their performance at those trainings, players are then invited to attend the one-day Illinois ODP State Combine. The State Combine is the final selection process for the Illinois ODP Teams. Teams, made up of 18 select players, will participate in the Region II ODP Camp to train and compete against the ODP teams from the 14 State Associations in the Midwest. At this camp, players will be identified to the Regional Pool from which they can be invited to represent the Region at national and international competitions. At the national events, players are seen by national staff coaches. Any soccer player is eligible to participate in the ODP process provided he or she is age eligible for the specific calendar year age group.
