US Youth Soccer – Europe

The weight of the Grassroots program is managed by European Districts, with the support of USYSE.  The Districts have autonomy with their local programs, but must adhere to USYSE mandates and philosophies. They must offer an opportunity for all Americans in their areas to learn and play soccer while promoting a healthy, fun atmosphere.  

The primary mission of the District grassroots (recreational) program is to provide a fun venue for all Americans living in Europe an opportunity to play and develop in the game of soccer, and provide an avenue for elite American players to advance into the USYSE ODP programs.

The Districts can have both a recreational and competitive (Select) program, but must maintain the grassroots program at all times.  District dependent, the recreational programs are either isolated programs (competing internally) or programs that have integrated into the local counties’ competitive programs.  If the District program is an isolated program, players may also participate in local community clubs (i.e., German teams and leagues).  The District programs that have integrated into the local countries’ programs, may not be able to participate on other local community teams (This rule is dependent on local country’s rules).

The Select program consists of the top players in the district, and provide more advanced training for those players with potential to participate in the USYSE ODP program. Select players do not necessarily participate in the recreational programs; majority of the select players compete on higher level local country teams. Districts identify their own select players independent of USYSE ODP program. All USYSE ODP players are highly encouraged to participate in the District Select programs.  (Elite American players training and playing in elite European clubs may not necessarily gain from the Select programs, but it affords these players an opportunity to act as an example, model to the other district select players.)

Currently there are 7 districts in USYSE.  Players register directly with their respective districts.  Costs of participating with the districts vary based on all volunteer staffs or paid staffs, use of military installation facilities or rented local community facilities, etc.  USYSE player fee is included in the District fee; Districts will transfer USYSE fees to USYSE on the players behalf.  (USYSE fees are due to USYSE by the end of October each year.)  All of the districts have active Private Organization accounts.  The Private Organization accounts were established several years ago, and allow the districts, as non-profit organizations, to use banks on military installations.  

Based on the specifics of each District, the recreational programs are either isolated programs (competing internally) or programs that have integrated into the local counties’ competitive programs. If the District program is an isolated program, then players may also participate in local community clubs (i.e., German teams and leagues). The District programs that have integrated into the local countries’ programs may not be able to participate on other local community teams (this depends on applicable rules for each country).

Based on the specifics of each District, the recreational programs are either isolated programs (competing internally) or programs that have integrated into the local counties’ competitive programs. If the District program is an isolated program, then players may also participate in local community clubs (i.e., German teams and leagues). The District programs that have integrated into the local countries’ programs may not be able to participate on other local community teams (this depends on applicable rules for each country).

The Select program consists of the top players in the district and provides more advanced training for those players who have demonstrated the potential to participate in the USYSE ODP. The majority of the select players compete on higher-level local country teams. Districts identify their select players independent of USYSE ODP. All USYSE ODP players are highly encouraged to participate in the District Select programs.

There is one Olympic Development Program in USYSE. The USYSE ODP identifies pools of the best U.S. players in each age group from which Regional and National Teams will be selected for international competition, and provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels. The USYSE ODP achieves this goal through 4-6 training and development camps and the use of carefully selected and licensed coaches. The selection process takes place through district tryouts, inner-district competition, and training and development camp trials. 

Participation in USYSE ODP is a serious commitment. Players and parents are expected to participate in the majority of the events offered (training and development camps, international tournaments). USYSE ODP hosts 4-6 training and development camps/events, attends one international tournament, and selects the top elite players to represent USYSE at the USYS Regional trial camps. 

The financial commitment to USYSE ODP is approximately 1.500 euro per year, if a player is invited for all events. This cost includes training and 5 development camp weekends (3 days), the training gear, and the international tournament. (Fees are due as the events approach.)

No organization caters to the needs of the elite player better then US Youth Soccer. There are very few other places where a player is taken out of their club team comfort zone and placed a into tryout situation with other top players where they are often asked to play different positions and asked to adjust to different coaches. However, this is typically what happens when one arrives at the National team trials or enters college or the pros. This is one reason why the USYSE ODP provides a platform where the developmental jump is more significant then virtually anywhere else. 

• Elite training and events not available to anyone else and only available for elite players in US Youth Soccer. 

• Ability to expand your soccer horizons by not only playing for your club and school teams, but also having the honor of representing your local and regional geographies.

• Playing in international tournaments with the top professional youth teams in Europe.

• Ability and encouragement to play high school soccer and reap the social, athletic and academic benefits of being a student athlete.

• While the #1 goal of our program is to get players into our national teams, the main benefits are exposure to colleges and making your club/HS teams better through your development with us.

• Rosters are capped at 18. That means you have the chance to play in every match.

• USYSE ODP provides the bridge between your club and the top levels that cannot be provided by any other program. When you go through state and regional tryouts and camps you gain exposure to different players and coaches just as you will if you have a national team camp or even when you go to college. Therefore, a major outcome of this program is that you will be better prepared for performing in environments out of your comfort zone.

• We will be part of the process of how you choose a school while helping you reach your highest level of play in order to be a part of a path to the pros and national teams. 

• 8 UEFA ”A“, ”B” and “C” – Licensed Coaches

• Physical and Psychologist trainer available during ODP events

• US Youth Soccer regional coaches

• The entire ODP staff and team holds FIFA coaching licenses, Diplomas and/or FIFA Player agent licenses

• Former professional soccer player’s e.g. German, Spain or Italian national team

• 8 UEFA ”A“, ”B” and “C” – Licensed Coaches

• Physical and Psychologist trainer available during ODP events

• US Youth Soccer regional coaches

• The entire ODP staff and team holds FIFA coaching licenses, Diplomas and/or FIFA Player agent licenses

• Former professional soccer player’s e.g. German, Spain or Italian national team

• Provide advanced player training and development by highly skilled, highly licensed, highly experienced coaches. 
• Field highly competitive American teams to represent USYSE, Regional Teams, and America in international competitions. 
• Elevate elite players in preparation for higher-level soccer programs (Regional, National, NCAA, etc.).
• Identify the top elite American players in Europe for USYS Regional trials. 
• Ensure the elite players from each district and across Europe are represented at the USYSE ODP evaluation level.
• Ensure the program to be as cost effective as possible, especially for the elite level players; costs of the program will be equally distributed among all players; and ensure a fair selection process. 

The first step is to contact and register with the local district in your area, and find out when the next tryout opportunity is for the USYSE ODP.  If selected to the USYSE ODP pool, then you will remain in the pool for the entire season. The top 25 +/- players in the pool are invited to training development camps.  (If you do not have a district within 30 miles of your residence, contact the USYSE ODP Staff to determine the best method for player evaluation.)

Players are selected on the basis of open tryouts conducted in the districts during the month of August, during an open try-out camp end of August/early September, and via district tournaments. Selection to USYSE ODP is conducted by USYSE ODP coaching staff.  District Directors of Coaching may recommend players from their districts to the USYSE Director of Coaching, but all selections to USYSE ODP team pools are conducted by USYSE ODP coaching staff only.

 Players are evaluated on the four components that make up a soccer player:

• Technique

• Tactics

• Psychological component (attitude)

• Fitness and athletic ability 

Beside this, the coaches always observe the entire skill level in each age group to come up with a fair assessment for each player.

What are the benefits of participating in ODP – Europe?

• 5 high-level development camps at state-of-the-art facilities

• Exposure to highly trained professional coaches

• Exposure to ODP Europe College Showcase for recruiting by invitation

• International tournaments & games

• Video “game film” analysis for HS and Colleges showcase

• Training with the best players in USYS-Europe

• Performance test (Shooting/speed and jumping tests) & player evaluation

• Exposure to all US Youth Soccer National & Regional pool camps by invitation 

•  Boys and Girls Programs (U11, U13, U15 & U17) 

• U11 Developmental Program offered alongside the USYSE ODP State Pool Camps  

USYSE ODP players are highly encouraged to participate at the district select level, if feasible.  High-level players (i.e., regional and national pool players, DfB Bundesliga players, etc.) will enhance the level of play to the benefit of the other district select players, while the high level players will benefit from the communication/coordination of the district administration.  Districts will be aware of all ODP events, deadlines, communication, and any updates.

USYSE players not residing in an area with a USYSE district, can register directly with the USYSE.  Individual players (not assigned to districts) will need to proactively monitor USYSE ODP activities via the website and the USYSE Facebook page. 

High-level players that purposely bypass the district training in hopes of going straight into the state or regional pool training exhibit characteristics that are not conducive to USYSE ODP and Regional Teams.  We are looking for players to play with the districts and for the state that exhibit the skill as well as the character and work ethic to train at all levels of the USYSE programs.

USYSE coaching is paramount to the success of individual players, teams, and USYSE programs. The USYSE District coaches range from highly experienced, licensed coaches to volunteer parents just beginning/learning to coach. Like player development, USYSE is also dedicated to coach development. First and foremost, all coaching education and training is an advantage; USYSE encourages coaches to continuously learn and enhance their coaching skills. US Youth Soccer promotes the United States Soccer Federation’s Coaching License program (A, B, C, D, E, F). USYSE highly recommend coaching licenses, if feasible, and USYSE offers coaching license courses periodically. The typical course offered by USYSE is the National E license. (There is discussion of possibly offering National D license course, if USYSE has adequate number of eligible coaches.)