Is ODP Still Worth It in 2025? A Parent’s Perspective
I grew up in an era where ODP (Olympic Development Program) was prestigious. The best players showed up, the coaching was top-notch, and it was THE pathway to the US National Team. I was invited twice, drawing dead to make it, but I vividly remember thinking that it was a big deal because every superstar was there battling. It was also cool seeing 3-4 kids from that tryout make it all the way to the USMNT Under – teams.
Fast forward to 2025—ODP doesn’t quite carry the same reputation. It’s lost that clear pathway status, and the talent pool varies more. The two things I hear most often when parents ask if it’s worth it:
- “It’s just a money grab.”
- “It’s worthwhile—if your kid is a good player.”
Here’s my experience going through the process with my U12 daughter.
The Tryouts: Worth Every Penny
The state tryout fee was about $175 for 8+ hours of soccer. To me, that’s a bargain, not a money grab. The environment itself is the value—you can’t simulate that kind of pressure and competition at practice. Even if you don’t make the team, the tryouts are an outstanding training ground. There was a few girls that were clearly outmatched. I was talking to the dad of one of those girls and he said that she was the best player on her objectively terrible team and they wanted to come to see what the best girls in the state looked like and how much work they need to do. The $175 they paid probably taught them a lot.
Are the selections political? Probably to some degree. It would be naïve to think otherwise, they know what clubs the players play for. But from what I saw, things were generally more than fair and players from smaller clubs made it.
The Value Depends on Who Shows Up
If you’re a parent of an elite player, the biggest benefit comes from the group your child is surrounded by. That’s what makes or breaks the experience. Some years and some age groups draw deeper talent pools than others. From what I’ve seen, younger age groups—before ECNL/GA fully take over—tend to have better turnouts.
At Lexie’s tryout, they split the group into older/younger by birth year. Both teams ended up being strong. Not every top player came, many did not, but the overall level was high. As a dad who is just generally interested in the landscape of youth sports, it was fantastic—Lexie got to play with great kids, and I got to meet a lot of their parents. That alone made it worthwhile.
The Challenges as Kids Get Older
As players progress, the pool thins. Time and cost commitments pile up on top of elite club demands, so families naturally opt out. That’s why the talent level sometimes dips at older ages.
Still from what I have been told by parents that have been through the recruiting process, the designations—State, Regional, National—do carry some weight. College coaches can’t be everywhere, and having ODP on your resume certainly doesn’t hurt, but it’s just a small piece of the puzzle.
The Games: The Weakest Part
Here’s where I was disappointed. You have 16 elite girls who normally play full games and now they are playing 30-35 minutes. They could easily play three games in a day, yet they only play one “friendly” a day. It’s really just a huge fail. And when you gather teams from 12 states, why not run a true tournament? We drove 9.5 hours—why not make it a showcase and a competition? I can’t figure out who they are protecting. I think the level of play would increase with a little more state pride as well. Winning “Best of the Midwest” for your state would be a cool achievement.
My Takeaways & Advice for Parents
- Do it early. Younger groups often have stronger turnouts and the value is highest.
- Always attend tryouts. Even if your kid doesn’t make the team, the experience is invaluable.
- Don’t overlook the networking value. The friendships and connections can be just as important as the soccer. I would suggest going out of your way to talk to other players parents. You really do learn a lot, and it’s a small world of committed soccer players.
- Be realistic about commitment. The State events are pretty reasonable, but going all the way to Regional or National is a big investment, both financially and time-wise.
Lexie didn’t make the Regional team this year, which was tough. I selfishly wanted to see the National Tryouts, just to experience that level. We’re on the fence about trying again—but either way, I don’t regret the time or money we spent and would recommend trying it at least once to everyone serious about soccer.
justinsadauskas 