For More Information:
Kevin Adams
601-613-1383
[email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2009
Ridgeland Hosts U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program Winter Interregional
Ridgeland, Miss. – The U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (U.S. Youth Soccer ODP)
Girls Winter Interregional will take place during Dec. 27-29 at Freedom Ridge Park in Ridgeland,
Miss.
“Soccer is very popular in Ridgeland and the surrounding area, with annual events from youth
recreational tournaments to Major League Soccer. This is a great opportunity to showcase our city and
state to some of the future Olympic players, coaches and staff. Freedom Ridge Park is one of, if not
the best facility in the state. Any opportunity to host such a distinct event will push Ridgeland even
further as a true sports destination,” said Ridgeland Director of Sports Marketing Jim Petersen.
The U.S. Youth Soccer ODP Girls Winter Interregional event will represent two teams in the
1991 and 1992 age groups. This event will include two groups of girls, ages 19 and under and ages 17
and under. There will be eight teams of girls, with 18 players each and two coaches per team.
“This winter interregional is a tremendous opportunity for the youth participating to develop
and receive exposure to the National Team staff. They will play with and against the best players in
their respective age groups in the country,” Region III U.S. Youth Soccer ODP Head Coach Tracey
Leone said. “The environment is fun, intense, competitive, and inspiring, one of the best in which to
develop. National Team coaches will be in attendance to evaluate the players to be considered for the
National Team. It's one of the best situations for them to do so since so many top-level players are in
one place at the same time.”
The two groups of girls participating in the winter interregional event will train and compete
for the opportunity to be apart of a National Team. If selected to be apart of the National Team, the
youth will be able to get in front of collegiate coaches and increase their opportunity to play soccer at
the collegiate level.
“This event allows players from every state in the country to participate in games at the
highest level of competition and also draws National Team coaches from the U.S and other countries
that participate in the sport of soccer. Many of the players are either members of the U.S. Girls
National Team or players being considered for other National Teams,” Mississippi Soccer Association
President David Dodd said.
The main goal of the U.S. Youth Soccer ODP program is to choose the most qualified group
of high-level soccer players in Mississippi. The selected National Teams advance to compete against
11 state teams included in the Southeast, which is Region III of the U.S. Youth Soccer ODP.
Players chosen to participate in the U.S. Youth Soccer ODP are selected by open tryouts,
scouting and recommendation. During this initial tryout, players are evaluated to see if there is
potential to be apart of the program. The second tryout is by invitation only. Finalists for the U.S.
Youth Soccer ODP are selected based on technique, tactics, attitude, fitness and athletic ability.
“After hosting the event last year, Mississippi was again selected for the next two years.
Mississippi Soccer Association (MSA) and its members will support the event with working
volunteers and fans watching these elite players as they participate on the field,” Dodd said. “The
event provides an opportunity for many of the MSA youth members to attend the games then talk with
the players following the day’s events. We are very excited to have been chosen to host the event and
thank the U.S. Youth Soccer ODP, the city of Ridgeland and many others that made this possible.”
For further information on the U.S. Youth Soccer ODP Girls Winter Interregional visit
www.USYouthSoccer.org.
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