A pair of Tennessee Olympic Development Program (ODP) players have been selected to represent the US Youth Soccer ODP National Select Team. Named to the 2007 Girls roster was Rebekah Allen and Maddie Padelski, who will now compete at Dallas Cup this April in Texas.
“We are tremendously proud of Rebekah and Maddie for their accomplishments in ODP this year,” said Bryan Johnson, TSSA Director of Player Development. “To succeed on the State level, advance to represent the South Region and then perform well enough to earn one of the 18 spots on this National ODP roster is no small task. It is a credit first and foremost to these players, but also their families, their coaches and their teammates, without whom this would not be possible.”
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.
“TSSA is excited that USYS ODP is offering these opportunities to our State ODP players who have been identified at the national level,” said Hans Hobson, Chief Operating Officer of the Tennessee State Soccer Association. “We wish Rebekah and Maddie much success as they represent Tennessee in these future events.”
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.
