In youth soccer, every player looks for that next step. They seek the chance to test themselves, to measure up against the best and to open the door to new opportunities. For ambitious athletes across Western New York, that step begins this fall with New York State West Youth Soccer Association’s 2025–26 Olympic Development Program (ODP) tryouts.
A Proven Pathway
The Olympic Development Program is more than just another training or playing opportunity. It is a nationally recognized pathway where players are evaluated, challenged and guided toward higher levels of the game. From state-level pools to regional showcases and even national team selection, ODP provides a stage for athletes to showcase their skills, compete with the best and gain exposure to elite coaches and scouts.
“The ODP program is designed to be a supplement to what players do with their club and school teams,” confirmed Dean Foti, NYSWYSA Technical Director. “Playing with and against other good players from around the state, along with exposure to high level coaching, will fast track every player’s development. Growth takes place naturally when players are placed in a competitive environment and slowly nudged outside their comfort zone. ODP tryouts are the first step along the pathway to becoming a more confident and more seasoned player.”
Who Can Participate?
- 12U–14U Players (2012, 2013, 2014 Birth Years): District tryouts will take place on Sunday, September 28th in Buffalo, Binghamton and Syracuse, and on Saturday, October 4th in Rochester. Selected players will advance to a call-back tryout on Sunday, October 5th in Rochester, where final indoor pools will be chosen.
- 15U–17U Players (2009, 2010, 2011 Birth Years): Tryouts will be held in Rochester on the weekends of December 13–14 (Boys) and December 20–21 (Girls).
Why Try Out?
For players serious about their development, ODP offers what club soccer alone cannot always provide, and that is direct exposure to nationally licensed coaches, the chance to compete against top talent from across the state and a clear pathway to regional and national identification. ODP is where ambition meets opportunity, and where players begin to discover how far they can go.
Registration Details
Full information, including site locations and session times, is available on the NYSWYSA ODP Tryouts Page. Spots are limited, so early registration is encouraged.
The Legacy of ODP
Established in 1977, the Olympic Development Program has served as the nation’s original pathway for identifying future national team talent. Under the umbrella of US Youth Soccer and the United States Soccer Federation, ODP helps players progress from local to national stages, gaining valuable exposure to collegiate scouts, high-level coaches and professional development resources along the way.
The mission of New York West ODP is threefold. The program aims to provide top-level training to elite players, support coaching development and identify talent for state, regional and national pools. From the early days of Pre-ODP to the high-stakes environment of regional showcases, every phase is built with purpose.
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