ODP Purpose:
To identify and provide opportunities for high potential players, facilitate their development, expose them to the next level of their chosen pathway and motivate their pursuit of excellence.
The Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP) aims to offer young players several key opportunities for growth and development:
- Additional Training and Playing Opportunities: ODP provides training sessions and playing opportunities beyond regular club activities. It also serves as a platform for players to showcase their skills to ODP regional scouts and college coaches, potentially opening doors for higher-level opportunities.
- Representation at Various Levels: Selected players get the chance to represent Eastern Pennsylvania at regional, national, and even international events.
- High-Level Competition and Coaching: ODP ensures that players engage in competitive training sessions and friendlies against other State Association ODP teams. Players will receive instruction from USSF licensed coaches. The coaching is designed to refine technical skills, improve tactical understanding, and foster a competitive spirit among players.
- Aligned with USSF and USYS ODP Philosophies: This alignment ensures that players receive training and opportunities that is consistent with national standards, preparing them not only for current competitions but also for potential future opportunities at higher levels of play.
2025-26 ODP Information:
Details about the 2025–26 Olympic Development Program (ODP) season are now available below. Registration opens Monday, July 7. Be sure to review all information carefully and check back regularly for any updates. You can also follow us on social media (@EPaYouthSoccer) for the latest announcements.
ODP is designed for players ages U12–U17. If you’re interested in our EPA STATE iD Program – a new developmental initiative aligned with the ODP pathway for younger players – please click here to learn more.
2025-26 Tryouts:
Tryouts Registration will open on Monday, July 7. Information about tryout dates, locations, and registration can be found below.
U15-U17 Boys & Girls
- Tryout 1:
- Date: August 24, 2025
- Location: The Proving Grounds
- Time: 3-7 P.M.
- Tryout 2:
- Date: September 7, 2025
- Location: USTC
- Time: 3-7 P.M.
U12-13 Boys & Girls
- September 14 & September 21: Site-Based (times vary)
- EPA North: Moravian Academy – 4-6 P.M.
- EPA South: USTC – 3-7 P.M.
- EPA East: Proving Grounds – 5-7 P.M.
- EPA West: Milton Hershey School – 4-6 P.M.
U14 Boys & Girls
- September 14 & 21: Site-Based (times vary)
- EPA North: Moravian Academy | 4–6 P.M.
- EPA South: USTC | 3–7 P.M.
Note: Players are not required to attend both tryouts; however, attending more than one session increases the opportunity for evaluators to observe and assess each player more thoroughly.
Training & Events
We’re excited to introduce updates to our ODP Training Model! This season, players will train using the Carousel Training Model—a dynamic, station-based approach inspired by PSV’s renowned Skill Box methodology. This model is designed to maximize individual player development by focusing on technical repetition, decision-making, and small-group learning.
Training Sessions, International Trips and Additional Opportunities
The ODP season is comprised of 11 Training Sessions. Training sessions may be adjusted or rescheduled based on weather or upcoming events.
International Trips will be held from March 29-April 6.
Regional and College Prep Clinic will be from April 25/26.
2025-2026 Roster Guidelines
Rosters will be capped to ensure a quality experience and appropriate playing time for all participants.
- 9v9 Format
- Single roster: 18 players
- Double roster: 24 players
- 11v11 Format
- Single roster: Up to 21 players
- Double roster: Up to 32 players
Final roster decisions will be based on player interest, registration numbers, and the overall quality and depth. This will help for competitive training environment while keeping in mind busy club and non-sport schedules
What is Carousel Training Model and Why Use It?
Players rotate, in small groups, through stations. Each station is focused on specific technical and tactical skill sets essential to the game of soccer. These may include:
- Ball mastery
- First touch
- Passing and decision making
- Movement efficiency (Speed, Agility, Quickness)
Each station offers specialized, high-repetition training with an individualized focus to support growth. By rotating and spending a dedicated amount of time through focused training stations, players benefit from a more personalized, high-rep environment that supports both foundational growth and advanced skill refinement.
2025-2026 Training Blocks
We use training blocks to create focused, developmentally appropriate phases of training that align with the broader youth soccer calendar. Each block allows players to train with purpose in a high intensity environment.
- Maximized Learning: Short, dedicated blocks help players retain and apply specific technical skills without long gaps between sessions.
- Age-Appropriate Scheduling: Blocks are aimed to fit around club commitments and Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer State Cup season.
- Program Continuity: With sessions spread across fall, winter, and spring, players benefit from a long-term development arc while still maintaining flexibility.
Block Schedule:
- Fall Block – 4-week training block late October-November
- Spring Block – 4-week training block May
- Winter Training – Jan-March
2025-26 Events
December: NJ Friendlies
U12-U14 Boys and Girls – December 6-7, 2025
January: Far West Friendlies
U15-U17 Boys and Girls (Mesa, AZ) – January 2-5, 2026
January: In House Friendlies
U12-U14 Boys and Girls (Indoor) – TBD
U15-U17 Boys & Girls – Friendly matches vs. NJ/DE
February: MD Friendlies
U15-U17 Boys & Girls (Girls 2/14; Boys 2/15)
February: VA Friendlies
U12-U14 Boys and Girls (Williamsburg, VA) – Feb 20-23, 2026
June: East Regional Tournament
All Groups – June 5-7, 2025
Where are the Training Sessions held?
- EPA North – U12-U14s = Bethlehem and surrounding areas in Lehigh Valley, Moravian Academy and Catty Middle School
- EPA South – U12-U14s = Downingtown, USTC
- EPA East – U12-U13s = Conshohocken, The Proving Grounds
- EPA West – U12-U13s = Hershey, Milton Hershey School
- U15-U17s – training split between USTC and The Proving Grounds
Locations for training may change slightly due to weather and conflicts.
What if my player has a club team event during ODP?
We understand it is nearly impossible to craft the perfect calendar, however, we do our best by holding practices on Sunday afternoons and evenings to avoid club and school events and providing our schedule in advance. We believe club GAMES/TOURNAMENTS should take precedence over ODP TRAINING, however, ODP PLAYING EVENTS should come before CLUB TRAINING.
ODP Calendar
Tryouts
Coaching Staff
ODP International Trips
Boys Teams
Girls Teams
Notable ODP Alumni
ODP By The Numbers:
2024-2025 Season: 127 (61 Boys, 66 Girls) EPA ODP Players Invited to Regional ID Camp
2023-2024 Season: 112 EPA ODP Players Invited to Regional ID Camp
2023-2024 Competition Year: 22 EPA ODP Players selected to East Interregional Teams.22 EPA ODP Players selected to East Interregional Teams.