ODP- What is it? Also info for Roger.

Roger; Your State info is online at www.mysa.org and you should really consider joining USYSA.
Pat; ODP is a generally well intentioned effort by qualified people doing their best to identify and develop soccer talent in the USA for international play. I have seen ODP play first-hand and the talent is outstanding. There will always be players left out of the ODP State Roster Pool that could have made it. We all know that Michael Jordan was cut, and Kurt Warner was stocking groceries. We also know that they maintained a positive mental approach and kept working. The bottom 3rd of any roster usually consists of role players that have some superior skills but not the complete package. From a coaches perspective, some of these things are effort (hustles, never quits even when the outcome seems certain), attitude (embraces the fact that they are a role player that needs to learn more), and charisma (contributes to team cohesiveness). ODP is not the answer for all of the best players, just some of them. Many college players have not participated in ODP. ODP requires a great commitment to Soccer at a young age. I should point out that neither I, nor any of my children, have ever been involved in ODP in any way. If you really want what is best for your daughter, then focus your efforts on adding more technical skills to that speed and power. I would not worry about other parents and there kids abilities, since you have no control over what others think and do. As far as the advice that you request for these parents, I am not Mr. Fine, but I would encourage them to keep aspiring to be in that top 1% if you truly love the game. It may get them into the top 10%. Get to work. If your daughter is U-13, she has time to aspire to the same goals.