FAQs

What are the benefits of participating in the ODP? 

○ Players are exposed to high-level coaches from around the state (college coaches, high-level club coaches, accomplished high school coaches, Regional Staff Coaches, US Soccer Scouts, etc.). 

○ The USSF Training Methodology is used throughout the Missouri ODP. In some cases, this reinforces what players hear in other soccer environments, which is valuable. In other cases, this information exposes them to new ways to look at and play the game. 

○ ODP players have the opportunity to play against some of the best players in the state, region, and country. 

○ The ODP can be a pathway to the Region Team, National Team, college recruitment, and even professional soccer. 

○ Participation in the ODP will help players build their soccer resume. 

○ Participation in the ODP is a positive environment where kids get to share their love for soccer with other kids with the same passion. 

○ Friendships are made that can last a lifetime.

May my son or daughter still try out even though we missed the initial tryout?

Yes, your child can still participate in the tryout process for the 2024/2025 ODP Cycle. We will host tryouts the weekends of November 9th & 10th and December 7th & 8th. (3 sessions per age group each weekend). We will utilize our Kansas City Winter ODP Friendlies (December 13th & 14th) as the final Tryout opportunity.

Is it ok to participate in the ODP if I am currently playing club soccer? 

Yes, it is permissible for a player to participate in the ODP if they are also playing club soccer and nearly all of our players do! MYSA offers the ODP to all of its members to enhance the players’ soccer experience. The program is designed to allow players to further their development and provide them with additional opportunities.

We realize that players may have club events that conflict with an ODP event. We encourage all players to communicate with both their club coaches and ODP coaches to work out any conflicts. We respect the need for players to attend club events and missing an ODP event for this will NOT be held against them.

What if my child is unable to attend one of the tryouts/training sessions?

We would like the players to make as many sessions as possible, but we realize that there will be conflicts. We want to work in conjunction with Clubs, and we respect their schedules. They will have an opportunity to notify the ODP Administrator of their availability for training and events.

What are the opportunities for my child once they go through the tryout process? 

ALL players remain in the ODP for the entire cycle. For the 2006-2012 age groups (11v11), the players will be assigned to one of three categories: State Team, Alternates, or Pool Players

Players in the 2013-2015 age groups (9v9) are considered developmental. We do not designate the players into State Team, Alternates, or Pool Players. The coaches will be sorting the players into “like-skilled groups” so they can be appropriately placed in events. 

What does it mean to be a State Team player? 

A State Team player is a player who has been selected to represent our state in tournaments, sub-regional events, inter-regional events, and friendlies. State Team players will also be evaluated for the opportunity to participate in the Midwest Region ID Camp. 

What does it mean to be an Alternate? 

At times, State Team players may not be able to attend events. In these situations, the Pool Players will have an opportunity to participate in these tournaments, sub-regional events, inter-regional events, or friendlies. 

What does it mean to be a “Pool Player”? 

A Pool Player is a player that remains in the ODP system and will have access to additional training. These training sessions will be open to ALL ODP players in the age groups. It is highly recommended that players attend these sessions so they can further their development.

Pool Players may also have the opportunity to participate in events with the State Team if the numbers warrant it. 

When can you expect to hear about the placement of your child?

We will have selections completed by December 20, 2024. 



How does a player get selected to go to Region Camp? 

Coaches and Region Staff observe and evaluate players throughout the ODP Cycle. Recommendations are made from these observations. It is important to note that the initial invitations for Region Camp go out approximately May 1, however, we will continue to evaluate players throughout the entire cycle. During this past cycle, we added players after our last event in June. This is why players need to continue to participate in as many of the events as possible. Talent identification is an ongoing process. *In the 2024/2025 ODP Cycle 2007 Birth Year Players who are Seniors in HS will not be eligible for Region Camp. 

How many players make it to Region Camp? 

The number varies from age group to age group. If the coaching staff evaluates a player and determines that they have the skill set to participate at the Regional level, they will be offered an opportunity to attend. 

What is the cost of participating in ODP? 

The registration/tryout fee is $275 for the 2024/2025 ODP Cycle. The registration fee includes up to 18 training sessions and 2 tryout shirts 

What additional cost may I incur throughout the ODP Cycle? 

Each player that is placed on the State Team or named as an Alternate Player, will be required to purchase a uniform. The cost of the uniform kit is approximately $90. That includes two New Balance Dry Fit Jerseys, a pair of New Balance shorts, and two pairs of socks. 

The cost of any additional events/tournaments that a team participates in will be split among the players on that team. You can estimate $75-125 per event, in addition to hotel costs. 



Where are the ODP events held? We will hold open training events in Cape Girardeau, Boonville, Kansas City, Springfield, and St. Louis. Once the official tryouts begin, we will use the Missouri Soccer Park in Boonville, Missouri for training. This is a centrally located turf soccer complex. The tournaments, sub-regional events, inter-regional events, and friendlies that we participate in are scattered among several states within our region - Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, and Tennessee, and are all included on this year’s calendar.

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