Good afternoon ODP 23/24 families!

Coming off a very successful 22/23 season, we are excited to see what season 23/24 holds for our players! Last year we sent a record number of players to the Midwest Region Camp; we have never had so many players “scouted” to attend. Way to go!

Registration has now officially closed. This year we once again plan on having two (2) State Teams each for our incoming 2012 age group (two (2) boys’ teams and two (2) girls' teams).

Given the high number of registrations in the 2011 boys group, coaches will decide after the July tryout weekend if they will also have two (2) boys 2011 State Teams.

This year we have enough registrations in our 2007 and 2008 (girls) age groups to warrant separate teams (unlike last year when we combined two older age groups). If needed, we may move some 2008 girls up to play on the 2007 team for the sub-regional event; if this happens, players will still be evaluated in their correct age group (2008 girls will be evaluated with their 2008 teammates, not with the 2007s).

The ODP 23/24 sub-regional event will be held in Indiana, likely in June 2024.

Our 23/24 ODP spirit wear store is open now until August 7^th. If you are interested in ordering ODP spirit wear, please click here. Items can be personalized with the player's name or ODP number. Items can be shipped directly from Big Frog or picked up (no shipping charge) from the MSYSA State Office (Plymouth).

By now, you should have received the ODP 23/24 information letter and hopefully read it (I know, it’s so long!). It is worth reading; you will find the answers to all your ODP questions, maybe even to some you didn’t even know you had! The information letter was emailed to the address/s used for registration. It can also be found on the MSYSA ODP 23/24 webpage (click here). You will find all ODP updates and news posted here also. I encourage you all to read the informational letter, leading up to the tryouts; I may not be able to answer all your emails as fast as I normally do.

What to bring to tryouts:

• Cleats for a natural grass surface.
•  Shin guards.
•  Plenty of water. Tryouts are rigorous – stay hydrated!
•  Independence Park has no vending machines; bring your own drinks and snacks.
• Players should bring a well-inflated ball. We do not have ball pumps.
• Players should wear their ODP shirt to all tryouts and pool training sessions. DO NOT LOSE IT! Shirts cannot be replaced. Shirts will be given out at check-in for your first session. They are ordered a year in advance and allocated prior to the tryouts; we cannot exchange shirts for a different size as jersey numbers have been pre-assigned, and the jersey number is the players identifying number when being evaluated.
• Please make sure your individual items are labeled with the player’s first and last name.
• Players should avoid wearing anything that identifies them with a particular club.
• Players only need to check in at the check-in tent for their first session (to get their shirt); for all other sessions, unless you have any questions for our staff, players should head directly to their field.
• Under no circumstances should parents/players email directly with their ODP coach during the ODP 23/24 season. All emails regarding ODP should be sent to: stateoffice@michiganyouthsoccer.org and will be shared with the coach.
• Due to the large number of players attending the July ID weekend, written feedback will not be provided to players after the July ID weekend. Players who want feedback should speak with their coach on the field after their sessions. Player feedback is also given during the sessions to players.

Please follow MSYSA on Facebook and Instagram if you haven't already. Sometimes when I send email blasts with news/updates for the program, they go to your spam. I always make a post on FB or IG when I’m about to send an email blast, so you know to look out for it. All correspondence is sent to the email used for registration; if you need me to add or change an email address, email me at: stateoffice@michiganyouthsoccer.org.

For players signed up for the alternate tryout (who are not attending any sessions over the July ID weekend), do not be alarmed when you receive an email next week listing the players moving forward to the winter pool training squad; this is just listing the players who attended the ID weekend. Your players are still eligible after attending the alternate tryout. The alternate tryout will be scheduled after the July ID weekend. If you have pre-registered for it, expect information regarding the date/time to be sent out towards the end of August/early September.

Good luck to all the players who signed up for tryouts; we look forward to seeing you July 28-30. As always, if you have any questions/concerns, please email me at: stateoffice@michiganyouthsoccer.org.

Cheers to another great season!

Julie Pearson

MSYSA & ODP Administrator.

Julie Pearson

MSYSA & ODP Administrator

Michigan State Youth Soccer Association

stateoffice@michiganyouthsoccer.org