How important is ODP?

[Cruyff]

Just trying to figure out if we want to do ODP again this year. My daughter is currently a freshman and has played on the LA ODP team for the last 2 years. I can tell you from experience that the program is definitely not worth the $1200 or whatever it costs. I have been told conflicting accounts as to how important it is for girls who want to possibly play beyond high school. Some say that, at the very least, it should be on their resume, while others say that b/c LA is so weak (regarding ODP) that colleges don't really look at the LA kid anyhow, and that money would be better spent doing individual training and doing more ID Camps. My daughter enjoys the social aspects of ODP, but doesn't really get much regarding improved technical ability. They do get to go against good talent at the Texas friendlies and Montevallo, however, they will get to go against just as good talent when they play against RPL teams. Additionally, once the PDL starts up, I believe those teams are suppose to be playing in more of the showcase level tournaments anyway. So how important is it for her to continue to play ODP?

[laffysoccermom]

Don't know much about it but had one coach tell me that it was of benefit if they were good enough to make regional team because coaches paid attention to that but just being on the state team wasn't that big of a benefit. We were discussing whether my child should try out.

Mine has decided she wants to pay intramural or adult rec in college and focus on academics so we haven't pursued any more.

[fireupchips]

I think its a waste of time and money, especially if you don't live in Baton Rouge. We liked the Regional Camp but beyond that we didn't get much from it. If this is a true US development program- then why isn't US Soccer funding it rather than putting more pressure on the wallets of soccer families that already invest a ton in this sport?

[lafutbolplaya07]

I got a lot out of ODP as a player as it got me into college soccer. I wouldn't have been noticed if it wasn't for ODP as my club team really didn't go to the right tournaments. I always liked the camp as it had so many college coaches and they were all really good. The great part was when I made the region team as US Soccer did help fund part of the trips if i remember. I thought they still did that but fireupchips says that isn't the case but i will have to check on that as i think it is still the case.

I'm guessing that half the fees probably go towards the camp as most residential soccer camps are about $600 or $700 these days so that means the rest must be for the other events and training they do which doesn't sound bad for $500 if that is correct.

All i can say about ODP is that it worked for me. I got to go to europe and played in some great games. Guessing it's not for everyone as you have to be pretty good to get selected to the region team and then you may have a chance for the national team. I thought some players got to go to the national program from LA recently from an email i received. I also read or heard something about LA ODP teams making finals of something.

[alto1smom]

My older daughter and her teammates did ODP every year until they aged out. Some were selected to Regional Teams and National Pool. All of her club team play in college except Two of the girls and that is by choice. NONE of the scholarships came from ODP. I was the administrator every year. It was not a bad experience and was a different voice, but no matter how much they won and they WON they didn't get much respect. LA was mainly there to pay the camp bills for FL, North TX, and GA to get looks. THings began to change toward the end with ECNL.

My second daughter started the program and things ECNL simply robbed ODP of all the talent. Only girls from second teams in states where there are ECNL teams. There is no need for theses girls to participate because College coaches attend in the hundreds for the ECNL events. I decided it was not worth the time or money and I could better spend the money on 2 college camps with the same quality or better and come out cheaper!