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Ferrell makes final cut for Missouri Olympic development soccer team
ST. LOUIS - The Missouri Youth Soccer / US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program or ODP, is a national identification and development program for high-level players throughout the country to represent their state, region, and the United States in soccer competition. ODP teams are formed with each of the 55 US Youth Soccer State Associations and four regions made up of the best players in various age groups.
At the state association level, pools of players are identified in each eligible age group, brought together as a team to develop their skills through training and competition.
From the state pools and subsequent teams, players are identified for regional and national pools and teams.
Sikeston's Jordi Ferrell was selected on the basis of open tryouts. Those tryouts were conducted by the Missouri Youth Soccer coaches who are recognized for their ability to identify and train players with superior skills. She was evaluated on four components that make up a soccer player they are: technique, tactics, fitness, ability, and attitude.
Since selected, Jordi is expected to participate in all activities with her team. These activities include training sessions, exhibition matches, invitational tournaments, and sub-regional and regional camps. If Jordi or any other players are not available for specific event, players from he pool team could replace them.
The culmination for making the state team is the regional group. US Youth Soccer is divided into four regions, each which offers a regional camp for the state association ODP teams in each eligible group. Jordi Ferrell's group in the 1990's, all girls born within the year 1990. The ODP 1990's will be competing against 13 other state ODP teams during camp. These camps are designed to provide high-level competition and training for participating players. During this training and competition, players who are capable of performing at a high level of play are identified for possible national camp, or pool practice team participation.
Team training will begin April 24, 2004 for the competitions at the regional camp in July. Mike Quante and Luke Cano coach the Missouri ODP 1990 soccer team. Justin McMullen and Paul Nelson train Jordi locally.