ODP Region Trials 2015 Recap by Technical Director Zac Crawford

Fifteen State Select Teams from Alabama participated in the US Youth Soccer Region III Olympic Development Program

Region Trials from June 28-July 17. The 12 different state associations from Region III participated in an opportunity to

be selected for Regional and National pools, as well as to receive quality training and matches against different states.

The girls participated in the Region Trials in Montevallo, while the boy’s camp

was held in Tuscaloosa. All Alabama teams had full rosters and did not have to

merge with other states for the experience. 2nd teams were formed in the two

youngest age groups (02 & 01) as well as the 99 boys. While the risk of bringing

2nd teams from the smallest state (registration wise at the beginning of the

2014 season) could be high if the competitive level is overmatched, the training

format for the season helped minimize that risk and provided all players with

ample opportunities to learn and grow into the U.S. Soccer Style and system

that has a proactive possession oriented game that builds from the back and

includes quick transitions. All teams competed well and were close in almost

every match.

During the 2014-2015 season, the Alabama players were taught the roles and

responsibilities of the 1-4-3-3 system. Some of the highlights from the

experience came from the competitive level of the 2nd teams. Another

method to show that the 2nd teams were a good fit for the program is that

players from the 2nd teams not only made the Region Pool games, but Alabama placed one player from the 01 Boys 2nd

team into the Region Pool.

The theme for the Region Trials experience was the 10 Principles of Possession soccer, which our teams trained on

during the 2014-2015 State Team phase. Players worked on the simple technique of peeling off to create space and look

to be proactive in their attack by having possession with a purpose. Although the ultimate measure of success is not in

the win/loss records, our teams did a very good job of competing and as a state our W/L record was well over .500.

Furthermore, as the smallest state player registration wise in Region III, Alabama placed a record 42 players into the

Region Pool. 28 boys were placed into the Region Pool, which ranks 4th out of 12 state association and only behind

Florida, Georgia, and South Texas. Overall, Alabama ranked #6 out of 12 state associations; this shows that the Alabama

ODP State Program is on the right track to continue to develop players. This number is up from 22 from the previous

year. Success was achieved by:

1. Having the support of all clubs, DOCs, and coaches

to help recommend their players to the program.

THANK YOU for your support!!!

2. Staying organized, communicating clearly, and

educating players and parents as to the process of

the system.

3. Consistent training themes and formats.

4. Excellent coaching/teaching from the ODP Staff.

5. Fantastic support from parents that make many

sacrifices for their children.

The 2002 Boys 1st team enjoyed their first Region Trials experience by going undefeated at 3-0-1 and placing a State record of 8 players into the Region III Pool.

The 2002 Girls ODP 1st Team showed well at the Region Trials by winning all 3 matches and placing Isabelle Passman into the Region Pool.

2015-2016 Outlook

All players that participated in the Region Trials, as well as any alternates, will be automatically placed into the Alabama

State Pool, once they have completed their initial registration for 15-16. Club DOCs can also recommend players by

completing the Player Recommendation form and sending to Technical Director Zac Crawford. There will be open

tryouts at the end of August for anyone that has not yet

been placed in to State Pool Phase.

New to this next season will be ASA’s new partnership with

Nike, and all players will be fitted with new Nike jerseys, shorts, and socks. Other Nike spirit gear will also be available

for players to wear off the field, or for friends and family to show their support. In an effort to help keep costs lost,

sponsorships/partnerships are available if you or your company is interested in receiving advertising trade-in-kind for

sponsorship. Please contact Zac Crawford at zac@alsoccer.org.

We look forward to another successful ODP season that will start in late August. Please see the end of this article or visit

our website for more information on the 2015-2016 season, or click here- http://www.alsoccer.org/odp/

RANKINGS FOR 2015 REGION TRIALS

BOYS STATE ASSOC 98 99 2000 2001 2002 TOTAL Rank

AL 5 5 6 4 8 28 4

ARK 0 3 1 0 0 4 12

FL 13 18 17 18 18 84 1

GA 8 7 9 5 20 49 2

LA 3 4 4 3 0 14 9

MS 2 2 1 0 0 5 11

NC 5 7 3 4 4 23 T-6

NTX 4 4 3 6 6 23 T-6

OK 4 6 1 2 0 13 10

SC 1 1 4 5 5 16 8

STX 10 6 6 4 6 32 3

TN 7 4 6 6 3 26 5

GIRLS AGE Groups

STATE ASSOC. 98 99 2000 2001 2002 TOTAL Rank

AL 2 2 5 4 1 14 7

ARK 0 1 1 0 0 2 11

FL 10 23 16 14 17 80 1

GA 9 8 13 17 21 68 2

LA 1 1 2 3 0 7 8

MS 0 0 0 0 0 0 12

NC 9 2 5 8 5 29 3

NTX 2 3 5 9 7 26 4

OK 0 1 2 0 0 3 10

SC 2 3 5 1 5 16 6

STX 4 4 4 3 6 21 5

TN 1 2 1 1 1 6 9

TOTAL RANKINGS

BOYS # Pool

Players

GIRLS # Pool

Players

Player Registration SIZE (largest

to smallest)

TOTAL # Of Pool Players RANK

AL 28 14 10 42 6th

ARK 4 2 11 6 11th

FL 84 80 2 164 1st

GA 49 68 4 117 2nd

LA 14 7 8 21 9th

MS 5 0 12 5 12th

NC 23 29 5 52 4th

NTX 23 26 1 49 5th

OK 13 3 7 16 10th

SC 16 16 9 32 T-7

STX 32 21 3 53 3rd

TN 26 6 6 32 T-7

1998 Girls ODP State Team with Coach/Technical Director Zac Crawford

1999 Boys ODP Region Pool Players- Colin Armstrong, DJ Benton, Liam Condone, and Wes Toutanji.

21999 Boys ODP Region Pool Players

Congratulations to all players, especially those that made the Region Pools. Please see below for all Region Pool players.

Girls Region Pool Training Participants (Region Pool Players in bold)

2002- Isabelle Passman, Hailey Bastian, Haley

Duca

2001- Haley Greene, Hannah Guthrie, Kylie

Bechard, Hallie Meadows

2000- Maddison Martin, Jasmine Greene, Julia

Pack, Abby Jacobs, Hailey Whitaker

1999- Ali Thomas, Katie Thomas

1998- Lucy Thrasher, Cami Rogers, Brianna

Morris

1999 Girls ODP State Team (left) before they participated in the Region Staff Coach Training Session. Katie Thomas and Ali Thomas were selected the 99 Region Pool (above).

2001 Girls ODP 2nd Team (BELOW), 2002 Girls ODP 2nd team w Coach John Vincent (BELOW and LEFT)

2000 Girls ODP State Team with Coaches Nicola Stolworthry, Rob Milner, Kevan Watkins, and Zac Crawford

The 98 Boys ODP State team, one of the most successful Alabama teams over the past few years, capped a great undefeated run at the Region Trials by going 3-0-1 and placing 5 players in to the Region III Pool. Coach Ben Weaver and Bart Markel.

ODP Region Trials Boys Pool Game Players

July 9:

1999: Devin Benton, Liam Condone

2000: Christopher Richards, Clay Holstad, David Wrona

2001: Tanner Tessman, Ariel Barreto, Jaden Servania, Rasheed Bolaji

July 10:

1999: Liam Condone, Collin Armstrong, Devin Benton, Wessam Toutanji

2000: Christopher Richards, Clay Holstad, David Wrona, Joseph Quinn, Mason Hemstreet

2001: Donald Wilson, Parker League, Jaden Servania

July 11:

1999: Jackson Barber, Amos Ndikumana, Michael Greene, Ethan Harradine, Nicholas Juarez

2000: Christopher Richards, David Wrona, Clay Holstad, Mason Hemstreet, Joseph Sullivan, Joseph Quinn

2001: Rasheed Bolaji

July 14:

1998: Trey Nelson, Jerome Williams, Levi Long, Anthony Russo

2002: Kyle Toutanji, Ethan Souphanthong, Salia Carr, James Dunning, Larson Rula, Kenneth Toledo, Jackson Wrobel

July 15:

1998: Trey Nelson, Jerome Williams, Levi Long, Anthony Russo, Dylan Bradley

2002: Kenneth Toledo, Jackson Wrobel, Ty Sanchez, James Dunning, Larson Rula, Ivan Obias, Tega Ikoba, Oghenekoma Ubogu, Matthew Morgan

July 16:

1998: Eric Buer, Levi Long, Adam Brooker, Mario Magnusson

2002: Kyle Toutanji, Salia Carr, James Dunning, Kenneth Toledo, Larson Rula, Ty Sanchez, Jackson Wrobel, Ethan Souphanthong

Final Selection:

1998: Jerome Williams, Trey Nelson, Levi Long, Adam Brooker, Eric Buer

1999: Liam Condone, Collin Armstrong, Wes Toutanji, Devin Benton, Brandon Servania

2000: Mason Hemstreet, Clay Holstad, Joe Quinn, Chris Richards, David Wrona, Joseph Sullivan

2001: Jaden Servania, Tanner Tessman, Ian Krajna, Rasheed Bolaji

2002: Kyle Toutanji, Salia Carr, James Dunning, Kenneth Toledo, Larson Rula, Ty Sanchez, Ethan Souphanthong, Jackson Wrobel

2014-2015 Wrap-Up

Congratulations to all participating players for representing the State of Alabama in a professional and respectful manner. Also, thank you to all of the supporting parents for making the sacrifices to allow your child to participate in our program. Finally, thank you to the coaching staff for doing a fantastic job this season in not only teaching, but also caring for the players both on and off the field. It truly takes a village and the entire state of Alabama should be proud of the soccer village that we have put together for the ASA Olympic Development Program.

How do I get Involved?

If you are interested in participating for the upcoming year, the following birth years will be eligible for both boys and girls 1999-2003. There is a pre-ODP program called the Elite Player Development Program which is for 9-12 years and is used as a training/scouting system for players born in 2003, 2004, & 2005. Interested players born between 1999-2002 should talk to their club DOCs about whether or not ODP is a good fit for the player and vice-versa. Club DOCs have the ability to recommend players into the State Pool Training Phase, which takes place from September-November. Players that are not recommended or come from a club that does not provide recommendations must attend an open tryout in late August. Players born in 2003 must attend an open tryout in late November. The average cost for a year of ODP training, including the Region Trials Camp, is ~$1300. Scholarships are available based on need and ability.

Please visit http://www.alsoccer.org/odp/ for more information visit our Facebook page to view more photos https://www.facebook.com/alabamayouthsoccer

Thank you,

Zac Crawford

Technical Director

Alabama Soccer Association

Office: 205-991-9779

Cell: 205-563-5156

Email: zac@alsoccer.org