ODP

[Anonymous]

I found the tryouts absurd. They are all an hour away late on a Sunday night, at last for our age group. In other states they are much more kid friendly.

[Anonymous]

We did it last year to supplement - the training was good but I do agree that it does not seem the top players do it anymore. I have heard that ECNL and MLS Next is where talent is now found - no longer ODP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As we start thinking about fall tryouts, would love to hear from others regarding recent experience with ODP. Thanks.

If you're in Maryland -

Pros: It's good training, a good way for your kid to meet kids from other clubs and work with coaches outside their own clubs, and the trips (with WorldStrides) are really well done (I'd say they were a highlight, but of course the cost is not included).

Cons: Practice involves a lot of driving, if your kid does not make the first team you can expect them to be largely ignored and not given as many chances during the tournaments, and (at least on the girls' side) the Maryland teams tend to get creamed at regionals because other (larger) states have much more selective teams. ID camp selections are a total scam.

In short, it was good for our DC to get some looks and feedback while they weren't on a top club team. I think the training helped them make a better club team. Now that they've made it, I don't see a need for them to do it anymore.

[Anonymous]

Not top talent anymore, as said above. It's still fun for the kids to play with other kids outside of their club team. Look at it as extra training and a chance to play with/against more kids. Just don't look at this as a pathway to anything.

I've got a friend who takes his kid over to Europe during summer breaks to play soccer. The kid won't become professional because of this but it's fun for them. Think of ODP in the same vein.

[Anonymous]

My player is ECNL and we decided to try it. I was pleasantly surprised. Not by the caliber of other players- as a whole it’s weaker than ECNL all the way through to region. Some good players involved for sure—but as a whole club teams are universally stronger. BUT the coaches were largely ECNL or high level coaches and there were definitely college coaches involved once you get to state/ region which I thought was useful . My player had a blast playing a different position than they play with with their club and they make it fun in terms of the fixture weekends. While it won’t trump ECNL for development, I think it’s good for exposure to different coaches, positions, type of play and players.

As a bonus my player has a new crop of soccer player friends across the state.
If you have the right expectations you won’t be disappointed. If you think ODP will get your player a bid to US Women's National team don’t waste your time as you are not thinking about it right…

[Anonymous]

If your child is not ECNL or MLS Next and they are younger than high school age, I would say it's worth doing. My son enjoyed it, but when he started U15 he dropped it, because the time suck between ODP, ECNL, and high school soccer was just too much. The state ODP training in VA is actually pretty good from what we experienced. Regional is just a slight play level up from states, but I wouldn't say the training is any better or worse. My son plays midfield for his club, but at ODP they liked him at right back or right wing. Gave him a different perspective which he liked. I would say if your child enjoys it and it isn't too much of a hassle getting them there, then go for it. Just remember that it's more a tool for development than a pathway to greatness.

[Anonymous]

ODP was great at the younger ages. As DD got older more and more ECNL girls stopped and the talent level plateaued. She stopped once high school came around because of time. As someone else said, she met so many girls from other clubs that otherwise wouldn’t have met and is still friendly with them today. She liked the coaches at all the levels. She had a great experience overall, but eventually as she got older the time commitment became too much.

[Anonymous]

If you want to run your kid into the ground, have them compete for practically nothing and be coached by coaches who are basically only there to further their coaching careers, go play ODP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want to run your kid into the ground, have them compete for practically nothing and be coached by coaches who are basically only there to further their coaching careers, go play ODP.

Does anyone else feel this way?

[Anonymous]

No

Signed parent of ECNL player whose kid liked ODP coaches and got 2 college coach introductions out of the experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want to run your kid into the ground, have them compete for practically nothing and be coached by coaches who are basically only there to further their coaching careers, go play ODP.

Does anyone else feel this way?

I don't know about coaches' intentions, but my DS was terribly bored. He made the East Region team that played in Florida and enjoyed that experience, but he refused to do ODP again. If it matters, he's now on an MLS Next team. I always heard it was much better years ago, though. One practice/week was easy to manage for us, as well as the commute. He didn't feel like he got anything out of it.

[Anonymous]

My 2011 daughter had a great experience this past year. Made it to the regional camp in CT so far. She loved that she could meet multiple coaches, play different positions, and meet kids from all across VA. I liked that she gained independence by traveling to the scrimmages. The downsides are it is expensive - starts to add up with each event they get asked to do. Also some of the programs require parents to attend (CT for example). That is a lot of time and $ to do those events. She plans to do it again this year, but she also isn't playing at an ECNL or MLS Next level.

[Anonymous]

The Regional Tournament in Florida used to be an event where college coaches would go to scout. Last year that changed when all of the sudden you had to fill out an NCSA profile. Only college coaches in attendance were those that happened to be coaching. Not sure what prompted the change but that was a big plus to stay with ODP that is no longer there.

There are plusses and minuses depending on what you want to get out of it, but I think the younger kids get more out of it than the older ones.

[Anonymous]

How was the turnout for the tryouts today?

[Anonymous]

ECNLDD wrote:

Bestdaysyet wrote:I've been asked several times by parents about ODP due to the fact we have done it pre and post DA. Before the DA, it was the program all the top players attended which resulted in some really good training. My youngest tried it 4 years and we quit after making states. The talent level was very low and although he really shined, it just wasn't worth the time or money. The program really does need to be overhauled to reflect the soccer landscape of today. You will not be scouted by anyone, you will not magically become Messi, most kids are 2-3 level team players, and coaching is the same as you get in any mid to high level club. In fact, my son's coach was the 2nd team coach from his club which we thought was a step down.

If you have the funds and time, join it for what it is which is additional training. But I would rather hire a personal coach instead if I really wanted my kid to get better.

This is correct. There is a prestige factor with making the state or regional team, but if you are top level talent focus on your ECNL or GA showcases and tournaments!

Well, based on the comments, the "prestige factor" has long sailed. Unless you're using ODP acceptance to impress those who don't know the realities.