The Olympic Development Program (ODP) was created by U.S. Soccer with two objectives:

• to identify national team players at the youth level via state and regional programs
• to provide developmental opportunities through unique experiences for these potential national team players

The core principles to identify and develop for the national team, have not changed over the years but with improved opportunities for playing collegiate soccer and earning athletic scholarships as college coaches consider a player’s participation in ODP an indicator of talent and ambition.