ODP seems to me to be another stage upon which hopeful national quality athletes can be seen and enjoy playing soccer at something resembling the "next level". Many of SC's best soccer players do participate, though some stay away for a variety of reasons. For a small group it is actually a door to participation on a US National team or the Olympic team. I am not familiar with the way other state's ODP teams practice, but I don't think the state ODP team is critical here -- the coaches are looking at players and not state teams and these are coaches trained to scout individual talent at the club level. I am perplexed that SC has not fared better in placing it's players in the Regional pool. It would be good if some of the SC ODP players posted their thoughts here but this discussion is mainly between adults.
lpaf
