FLORIDA ODP ECLIPSES 1,500 TRYOUT ATTENDEES
SEPTEMBER 10, 2026 (AUBURNDALE, FL) – Florida’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) kicked off the 2026-2027 seasonal year with record participation, as more than 1,500 boys and girls attended ODP tryouts across the state.
The milestone marks a significant increase in participation for FYSA’s longest-standing player identification and development program, with this year’s tryout participation more than doubling last year’s total.
ODP is a nationwide player identification and development program designed to identify and develop players with the potential to compete at the highest levels of the game. Through training, competition, and exposure to advanced coaching and identification opportunities, ODP provides players with a pathway to challenge themselves and pursue opportunities beyond their club environment.
“The growth we saw at ODP tryouts this year is incredibly encouraging,” said Deborah Ruiz, FYSA Vice President of Player & Coach Development. “Seeing more than 1,500 players come out speaks to the continued interest in ODP and the value that families and players see in the opportunities it provides.
In a shift from previous years, ODP tryouts were refocused around four of Florida’s major population centers, Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville, and Tampa, providing greater access to a larger pool of players within each surrounding area while reducing the travel burden for families.
Following tryouts, players will train locally within their respective districts throughout the fall, with continued identification leading to selection for Florida State Teams in each age group. This spring, State Teams will compete on the regional and national stage at identification events that provide opportunities for players to be evaluated by U.S. Soccer Youth National Team scouts and U.S. Youth Soccer Regional and National Team coaches.
“Bringing the ODP program to the major cities was a catalyst for making this year’s tryouts such a success,” said Don Gemmell, FYSA’s Director of Sport Development. “Reducing the amount of travel made the program much more accessible for players and parents, while still allowing us to reach a tremendous pool of talent from across the state.”
With more than 1,500 players participating in this year’s tryouts, Florida ODP enters the 2026-2027 seasonal year with significant momentum and a growing pool of players seeking opportunities to develop, compete, and represent Florida at the highest levels of youth soccer.
To learn more about Florida ODP, visit fysa.com/odp.