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CITG:

In years past, in at least one age group, virtually every kid who tried out in Columbia was "invited" to Winston-Salem. From there, a list of "ins" and "alternates" (just about everyone else) was then invited to train: the latter in the mostly vain hope of snagging a final roster spot for Tuscaloosa.

It was almost like Micro Soccer: everybody got a "trophy;" or in ODP's case, got to claim "alternate" status.

Considering all the teams that were either in Atlanta for Nike Cup or at the CASL/ECNL last weekend not real shock that turn out might have been low for some groups. Were you in Midstate area cause I know of several 96 girls who would likely have been at the mentioned events? In fact wonder how many will be at the 19th tryout who were not at 5th?
I guess moving tryouts to earlier year might help with this but it seems that soccer events are now 24/7/365 and I do not know if there are any weekends free anymore

So, everyone got invited to the next round....good deal, second chance to make a first impression!

If you're asking about Winston-Salem, I wouldn't say it was a "great' or even "good" chance to change your status. Just a chance! In my experience, when you bring 2 teams of 16-18 kids to one site, their minutes are limited and the coaches' attention is divided to the point of distraction. My advice to any kid in the "maybe" category would be simple: Be READY from the get-go; make the most of EVERY opportunity to play; do EXACTLY what the coach says to the best of your ability.

Then, if you're selected, GREAT! If you're invited to train as an alternate, THAT'S when you can demonstrate your capacity and commitment in a less crazed, more focused, environment.

And by the way, if you're a parent, stay and watch, if you can. To see these activities is to understand better EXACTLY what your child is up against.

Finally, if your child doesn't make it, don't fret. Take a look at the U.S. National Men's team roster over the last 3-4 years, and you'll see a number of capped players who somehow got through the ODP process unrecognized. Why? Because ODP can be a harsh numbers game, with talented kids outnumbering capable evaluators.

no one gets to the usmnt byway of odp anymore.

Exactly. But even when they did -- guys currently in their mid-late 20s and 30s -- there were noteable misses.

Guess I was trying to communicate that kids need to understand that one tryout, followed by a couple of overcrowded "games," does not a career make or break.

Conversely, coaches/evaluators need to understand that, between the ages of 12 and 16, kids change enormously both physically and emotionally. Last year's "flavor of the month" shouldn't necessarily be retained this time around, and vice versa. They can deny it through clenched teeth, but many ODP evaluators rely more on last year's list, as opposed to their own eyeballs.

And that stinks.

Look's like the 19th is now tryouts round two with everyone invited. Guess the numbers that missed the 5th made it necessary to open the doors wide for 19th? Perhaps there was not enough quantity of quality and they want to see everyone playing with the quality players who missed the 5th becasue of CASL.

My question is how many kids will that mean in each age group? I guess they will be looking for the top 36 in each group (two teams of 18 right?). Anybody have any idea how many were at the tryouts on the 5th for each of the three sites?