'93/'94 ODP Interregional underway

'93/'94 ODP Interregional underway
February 20, 2009

POMONA, CALIFORNIA – With the adidas ESP just around the corner, there’s another gathering of elite youth soccer players that might not be getting as much notoriety, but this week’s U.S. Youth Soccer ODP Interregional here is still a very good opportunity both for the players involved and for a host of college coaches looking in on the proceedings.

Taking place at a soccer complex featuring four turf fields, the event includes approximately 150 players total, drawn from all four ODP regions in both the 1993 and 1994 age groups. While there is a mini regional tournament taking place this weekend, much of the event is conducted under a scramble format, where players are formed into new teams, mixed among all four regions.

Elite club soccer playes huddle.ODP participants huddle during training.
Other divisions of players utilized during the various sessions include along functional lines, such as wide players, target players, defenders and playmakers. On Thursday afternoon players were with their Scramble teams working on the art of getting behind the defense, while in the morning training team defending had been the emphasis. Small-sided games were yet another focus during the week and a “street soccer” tournament will take place later.

Platini Soaf, Region IV ODP head coach and director of the camp, said the scramble format, first instituted at a previous camp by Region I coach Sue Ryan, is useful both for player development and player identification.

“This gives the players a chance to work with someone different than the same regional coach they’ve had at regional camp or other events,” Soaf said. “They can hear another point of view and that can be a good thing. It also lets someone else who maybe hasn’t seen them before take a look at them. The staff all work together on this so it’s useful.”

Soaf added that approximately two percent of the players will be recommended to USSF national staff coaches for further evalulation. He noted that both Elizabeth Eddy and Cloee Colohan were recommended from previous camps and ended up being selected by U17 GNT coach Kazbek Tambi for last year’s FIFA U17 World Cup.

Region IV ’94 player Laura Liedle said the event’s format is to her liking.

“It’s been good,” Liedle, who plays club soccer for San Diego Surf, said. “I’m learning a lot about different position and meeting a lot of new players and coaches. It’s good to get another point of view. The games have been very fast and high quality.”

While the absence of the players who are at ESP means each region digs deeper into its pool. Soaf calls that a positive, not a drawback.

“Anytime we can get to look at more players and anytime those players can get in here and play with other good players, it’s a good thing,” Soaf said. “Again, it gives another opportunity to identify players and  I think you’re always going to have some diamonds in the rough.”

 

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