April 17, 2013 (Chula Vista, CA) – Eighteen girls from the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (US Youth Soccer ODP) have been invited to participate in the US Youth Soccer ODP Girls 1996 National Camp, April 20-27 at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. The camp will coincide with the Under-18 U.S. Soccer
Women’s National Team Camp, and players will be evaluated for possible participation in U.S. National Team events.
Players were selected based on noteworthy participation in the 2012 US Youth Soccer ODP Girls Thanksgiving Interregional event and/or by recommendation by US Youth Soccer Regional Coaches.
Head coaches Jerry Smith and Mike Dickey will lead the event, and U.S. Soccer Women’s Technical Director April Heinrichs will also be present to evaluate players for possible inclusion in U.S. Soccer Youth National Teams.
"I would like to congratulate all the players chosen to participate in the US Youth Soccer ODP Girls 1996 National Training Camp," said Heinrichs. "We’re excited to have another opportunity to see these players compete alongside the Under-18 Women’s National Team for evaluation and possible inclusion in future U.S. National Team activities."
US Youth Soccer ODP players will get the chance to improve their playing proficiencies with unique training activities, including two scrimmages against the U-18 U.S. Women’s National Team.
The US Youth Soccer ODP Girls team will also participate in a player evaluation combine conducted by US Youth Soccer national partner SKLZ - the industry leader in sports training products, content and programs – for an exclusive training session at the SKLZ headquarters in San Diego, Calif. Players will participate in a soccer-specific player evaluation and assessment platform led by Athlete’s Performance which provides athletes with a standardized way to assess and
address their athletic strengths and weaknesses, while also providing them with education on conditioning and recovery.
The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program brings together the top players from various clubs and geographic locations, and puts them in an environment to train and compete at the highest level in front of collegiate, professional and national team scouts. US Youth Soccer ODP is the original Olympic development program and with programs in all 55 US Youth Soccer State Associations, is available to any player regardless of hometown or club affiliation. US Youth Soccer ODP is
the only elite player development program that can claim members of Major League Soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League, as well as the majority of current and past national and youth national team members, as alumni.
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US Youth Soccer ODP Girls 1996 National Camp Roster: |
Region |
Name |
Position |
Club |
I
|
Elysse Branton
|
DF
|
BRYC 95 Elite
|
I
|
Payton Cook
|
DF/MF
|
Richmond Kickers
|
I
|
Eva Gordon
|
FW
|
Empire Revolution-Syracuse
|
I
|
Abigail Pyne
|
GK
|
Soccer Plus
|
II
|
Shannon Hendricks
|
DF/MF
|
Junior Irish
|
II
|
Kaitlyn Keen
|
MF
|
Carmel United SC
|
II
|
Samantha Kokoska
|
DF/MF
|
Carmel United SC
|
II
|
Megan McCashland
|
DF
|
Gretna SC
|
II
|
Cassie Phillips
|
MF
|
Michigan Hawks
|
III
|
Sydney Lurie
|
MF
|
Concorde Fire
|
III
|
Marnie Merritt
|
GK
|
Lake Norman SC
|
IV
|
Sarina Bolden
|
FW
|
De Anza Force
|
IV
|
Madison Gonzalez
|
FW/MF
|
Santa Rosa United
|
IV
|
Hailey Harbison |
MF
|
Del Mar Sharks Carmel Valley
|
IV
|
Mariah Lee
|
FW
|
Washington Premier FC
|
IV
|
Stephanie Malherbe |
MF
|
So Cal Blues
|
IV
|
Christina Settles |
MF
|
West Coast FC
|
IV
|
Pilar Torres |
FW
|
San Diego Surf
|
For more information on the US Youth Soccer ODP program, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org/Programs/OlympicDevelopmentProgram.
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About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) – US Youth Soccer - "The Game for ALL Kids!®" is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member State
Associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org.
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