Oregon Youth Soccer and MLS Join Together To Develop Elite Players
The goal of all organized, competitive youth soccer is to develop players – and to assist those players who are amongst the most talented to become world-class players. A ‘goal’ for American youth soccer is to have talented youth soccer players gain the attention of U.S. National Team Scouts.
Oregon Youth Soccer has created a landmark approach by creating a simple transition for players from ODP to the Academy program. This US Youth Soccer State Association works directly with their state MLS and NWSL teams for ODP.
The Olympic Development Program (ODP) is a national program which is designed to identify and develop talented, committed youth soccer players to represent their state, region, and country. It is also intended to prepare and showcase the players as student athletes for exposure to professional and collegiate soccer programs. Through a collaborative effort between the Portland Timbers, Portland Thorns FC and Oregon Youth Soccer Association, Oregon has a recognized ODP program and cutting-edge youth development and academy system.
SoccerToday spoke with John Madding, CEO & Technical Director regarding the ODP collaboration:
Diane Scavuzzo: When did Oregon Youth Soccer start working with the professional women’s and men’s teams for ODP?
John Madding: The ODP collaboration began in 2010. It started as the Portland Timbers and added the Portland Thorns in 2013 when the NWSL started.
Diane Scavuzzo: What are the benefits? How does this create a streamlined process for player development? Who leads the program?
John Madding: The main benefit is to have an organization that is invested in player development take the lead on the ODP programming. The Timbers/Thorns can see a huge benefit in developing local players. The Timbers/Thorns currently manage player development and identification programs. Mike Smith is the Youth Sporting Director for the Timbers and Thorns.
Diane Scavuzzo: The impact is that your youth state association is no longer in the tournament and camp business. Now, as a more lean organization, do you still oversee ODP? What is your involvement?
John Madding: The Oregon Youth Soccer Association can now focus on energy on growing our relationships with our members. We feel that not having to worry about the operational aspects of ODP, leagues, and cups allows us to spend time on our true mission. We have invested many resources in education. This covers coaches, players, parents, and administrators. Our focus for 2015 is Education, Communication, and Collaboration.
As Technical Director, I am one of the chairs for the ODP committee. This committee governs the ODP for OYSA and the Timbers. Smith and I meet weekly to discuss anything having to do with the OYSA/Timbers relationship.
Diane Scavuzzo: Does Oregon pay the Timbers, for example, a fee for running ODP? Or the State Cup?
John Madding: OYSA does not pay the Timbers for anything other than group tickets to attend professional soccer games. Our relationship is based solely on mutual benefit.
Diane Scavuzzo: Besides the loss of revenue and correlated expense, what has been the impact of this decision?
John Madding: I don’t see the loss of revenue as a negative. Many associations lose sight of why they exist. We now have a streamlined business model that allows us to make decisions based on the current youth soccer landscape. We have already seen tremendous improvements in our member feedback. The key to this success is having a great staff. Our current staff is truly focused on serving our members.
Diane Scavuzzo: Do you think the MLS Academy coaches can run a better ODP than coaches who are outside the US Soccer Development Academy system?
John Madding: I believe that the Timbers have done a tremendous job keeping ODP relevant in Oregon. The Timbers youth staff are directly involved in all aspects of the program. This allows the players to be identified for both the Timbers and Thorns Academy Programs. Some ODP players have already seen the field in MLS reserve games.
