Day 1 of 6
US Youth Soccer ODP Girls 1993-1995 regional age groups, Under-15 U.S. National Team and Costa Rica Youth National Team Participate

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. (Nov. 22, 2009) - The annual US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (US Youth Soccer ODP) Girls Thanksgiving Interregional kicked off today with the 1993 age group competiting at the North Community Park in Coral Springs, Fla.

Continuing its tradition of elite play, competition and player development, youth from the nation's elite player identification and development program, US Youth Soccer ODP, will compete in front of national and leading collegiate coaches to maximize their exposure.

David Smith, 1993 Region III head coach, said, "Here, this week at the (US Youth Soccer) Olympic Development Program (Interregional), has the ability to change a young lady from being just a good player in their area of town to being an international superstar."

1993 Region II vs. Costa Rica
The first game of the interregional featured the 1993 US Youth Soccer ODP Girls Region II squad facing the Costa Rica Youth National Team. The game was evenly matched and it wasn't until the 82^nd minute that Region II was able to finish. Costa Rica's keeper wasn't able to clear ball and Taylor Uhi got control and put it in the back of the net. Five minutes later, Allie Stephenson was set up by Aliina Weykamp and collected the ball to place it in the far corner. Region II won, 2-0.

1993 Region III vs. Region IV
The 1993 Region IV team controled the first half of the match against Region III. Lo'eau Labonta put Region IV ahead in the 35^th minute. Taylor Smith capitalized three minutes later to tie the match for Region III. With only one minute remaining in the first half, Kalli Torres put Region III in the lead. The momentum continued for Region III in the second half. Region III came together and in the final minutes of play Kelsey Shimmick finished the game with a third goal for Region III. Region III ended the game, 3-1.

Tonight, the 1993 Region I team competes against the U.S. Under-15 Girls National Team at the Coral Glades High School Sportsplex. A game report will be available on USYouthSoccer.org following the game.

The US Youth Soccer ODP Girls Thanksgiving Interregional hosts teams in the 1993 – 1995 age groups including the U.S. Under-15 National Team and the Costa Rica Youth National Team. 

2009 US Youth Soccer ODP Girls Thanksgiving Interregional
North Community Park and Coral Glades High School Sportsplex, Coral Springs, Fla. 

Scores | Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009
1993 Region II 2, Costa Rica 0
Goal scorers: Region II- Taylor Uhi (82:00), Allie Stephenson (87:00)

1993 Region III 3, Region IV 1
Goal scorers: Region III- Taylor Smith (38:00), Kalli Torres (44:00), Kelsey Shimmick (87:00)
Region IV: Lo'eau Labonta (35:00)

Region I vs. U.S. Under-15 National Team
7 p.m. start time at Coral Glades High School

Upcoming Schedule

The 1994 and 1995 age groups play two 40-minute halves and the 1993 age group plays two 45-minute halves. Teams will be allowed seven substitutes with no re-entry.

US Youth Soccer ODP is the original Olympic Development Program and the only elite player development program that can claim members of Major League Soccer and Women's Professional Soccer as well as a majority of current and past national and youth team members, as alumni. 

For more information visit www.USYouthSoccer.org and follow us on Twitter @usysodp.

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About US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (US Youth Soccer ODP) - US Youth Soccer ODP, established in 1977, is the original Olympic development program in the United States. Formed to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a National Team could be selected for international competition, selected players are exposed to the nation's top coaches from collegiate institutions, U.S. Soccer and the professional leagues. Programs exist in each state and with competitions such as the US Youth Soccer ODP National Championships, Interregional Training/Competition, Regional Camps and International play. US Youth Soccer ODP continues to lead the way in elite player identification and development. US Youth Soccer ODP is an approved program of the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Media Request: When referring to the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program, the original elite player program in the United States, please refer to the program only as the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program or US Youth Soccer ODP, and never as USYSODP or simply ODP. We appreciate your cooperation.

About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) – US Youth Soccer - "The Game for ALL Kids!^®" is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member State Associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org.

Media Request: When referring to the United States Youth Soccer Association, the largest youth sports organization in the United States, please refer to the association only as US Youth Soccer, and never as USYS or USYSA. We appreciate your cooperation.