After being selected to the US Youth Soccer ODP National Select Teams for their respective age groups, a trio of Tennessee Olympic Development Program (ODP) players recently helped their teams reach the Dallas Cup Final in Texas. Rebekah Allen and Maddie Padelski of Tennessee Soccer Club represented the 2007 ODP Girls, while Hallie McBride of Lady Lobos Rush competed with the 2008 ODP Girls.
“We are really proud of Rebekah, Maddie and Hallie, and all they have accomplished as they move through the ODP pathway from the state to regional level and now all the way to the national level,” said Bryan Johnson, TSSA Director of Player Development. “Their success at each step along the journey is a true credit to their families, teammates and coaches, but it is first and foremost indicative of all their hard work as players themselves. They continue to be the leaders of their own development as they strive to become the best they can possibly be.”
Allen, Padelski and the 2007 ODP Girls opened group play with a 1-1 draw against FC Dallas Youth ECNL G07 before blanking Sting Dallas Royal ECNL RL 07G Quiroz by a tally of 3-0 in their second match. Despite falling to FC Dallas Youth RL G07 in their final game of group play, 2-0, the 2007 ODP Girls still secured a second-place finish in the group to advance to the semifinals.
In the semifinal round, the 2007 ODP Girls faced FC Dallas Youth RL G07. In group play, FC Dallas Youth RL G07 had outscored their opponents, 14-0, over three victories to earn the top spot in their bracket. However, the 2007 ODP Girls were up to the difficult task at hand and earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the previously unbeaten side to advance to the championship match. In the 16U Dallas Cup Final, FC Dallas Youth ECNL G07 jumped out to a 2-0 advantage, but the 2007 ODP Girls were able to pull within a goal in the 72nd minute. Unfortunately, they were unable to find an equalizer and saw their championship run come up just short, 2-1.
McBride and the 2008 ODP Girls excelled in group play at Dallas Cup, winning all three of their matches and finishing at the top of the table. They opened the competition with a huge 7-0 win over Solar ECRL 08G B.Williams, returning to action the next day to blank FC Dallas Youth RL G08, 2-0. The 2008 ODP Girls then completed group play with a 2-1 win over Solar SC ECNL G08, securing the top spot in their bracket after outscoring the opposition, 11-1.
The 2008 ODP Girls faced BRAMPTON SC 2008 ODPL in the semifinal round, where they rolled to a 5-0 victory and secured their place in the championship match. In the 15U Dallas Cup Final, they met Solar SC ECNL G08 for the second time in the tournament. After Solar SC ECNL G08 got out to a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute of the contest, both sides remained scoreless the rest of the way until the final whistle confirmed the 1-0 result.
“We are thankful to USYS ODP and Dallas Cup for providing opportunities like this to our elite players,” said Hans Hobson, Chief Operating Officer of the Tennessee State Soccer Association.
Dallas Cup was founded by the Texas Longhorns Soccer Club in 1980 after they returned home from a trip to Europe. Held every spring, the invitation-only tournament is comprised of nine age groups in the Boys category (12U to 19U) and four age divisions on the Girls side (16U to 19U). Dallas Cup consists of international, national and Dallas area teams that compete for the coveted Boot and Ball Trophy, which is awarded to champions in each age group.
The Olympic Development Program is an identification system linked to the United States Soccer Federation and US Youth Soccer. The program offers its players a pathway that could lead to representing Regional and U.S. Youth National Teams. Originally established in 1977, ODP was the first program in the country designed to identify potential youth national team players. ODP players begin initially at the local sector before progressing to the state, regional and possibly national levels. By playing with like-talented athletes, ODP offers the opportunity for players to advance in their personal development and to be scouted by college coaches.
