Continuing its tradition of elite competition and player development, youth from the nation's top player identification program, US Youth Soccer ODP, will train and compete in front of national staff and collegiate coaches to maximize their exposure for selection to the next level of play. The 2013 US Youth Soccer ODP Boys Thanksgiving Interregional includes players in the 2017-2019 graduation classes.

 

US Youth Soccer ODP is the nation's original player identification program. With programs in all 55 US Youth Soccer State Associations, it is available to any player, regardless of hometown or club affiliation. US Youth Soccer ODP has continued its tradition of elite competition and player development for more than 30 years, and is the only development program that can claim members of Major League Soccer, the National Women’s Soccer League, and a majority of current and past national and youth national team members as alumni. To learn more, visit www.usyouthsoccer.org/programs/OlympicDevelopmentProgram.

 

 

Despite falling behind in the opening seconds of its 2000 Boys matchup, Region III was able to come away with a 2-1 win over Region II. The Region II squad took the lead in the game’s opening minute when John Hogan found the back of the net. However, James Brighton scored his second goal of the weekend for Region III in the 26th minute to level the score. Shortly after halftime, Region III’s Tyrese Bennett gave his side the lead with what proved to be the game-winner, as Region III held on for the 2-1 victory.

 

The Region IV captured its second win in Arizona by defeating Region I, 3-1, in 2000 Boys play. After a scoreless opening quarter of an hour, Region IV struck for two quick goals to take the lead. Adrian Villegas scored first for Region IV in the 17th minute, and teammate Jacob Bloomfeldt added a goal three minutes later to make it 2-0. Stephen Schmitt pulled Region I within a goal when he found the back of the net in the 55th minute, but his side couldn’t find an equalizer. Tristan Weber capped the scoring with a 70th-minute goal to help Region IV to the 3-1 win.

 

A balanced offensive attack helped Region III secure a 3-1 win over Region II. Luke Biasi put Region III in front early with a 9th-minute goal, and Chandler Shirley doubled the lead in the 34th minute to give Region III a two-goal advantage at halftime. That lead was cut to one when Samuel Lee scored for Region II in the 50th minute. That’s as close as the game would get, as Dante Brigida added a third goal for Region III to help his side come away with the victory in the 1999 Boys matchup.

 

A pair of solid defensive efforts highlighted the 1999 Boys contest between Region I and Region IV. Both sides had difficulty breaking through the opposing defense, but Diego Guerrero managed to put Region I up, 1-0, with a goal in the 28th minute. The back line for Region I held strong for the entire game, as it prevented the Region IV squad from finding the back of the net. Guerrero’s goal proved to be all Region I needed, as it came away with the shutout win.