Before the Development Academy or identification camps or nationwide scouting systems, there was the Olympic Development Program.

US Youth Soccer’s ODP is the original production tool for identifying and pushing along national team players, and to trace U.S. Soccer back to the barren days of the 1980s, its advancement is largely credited with helping the U.S. break a 40-year streak and make the 1990 World Cup. Nearly every player on that roster had come through ODP.

It is no longer the singular tool used for player identification, instead one of many in a forest of options for teenage players. But it still soldiers on, serving as the ultimate arm of US Youth Soccer’s vaunted player pool that numbers in the millions, making it the largest youth organization in the United States.

And for those teams that compete in it, it doesn’t get any bigger than the ODP Championships. And those are right around the corner.

Running from Feb. 26-28 in Phoenix, Ariz., the ODP Championships offer a selection of some of the nation’s top clubs the chance to prove their mettle on a stage few venues in the country can match in terms of intensity. Some 16 boys and girls teams representing 10 different regions in the 1999 and 2000 age groups will vie for the chance to be named national champions.

To get ready for this fulsome event, here are a couple teams to look out for, and perhaps a few players you might be hearing from again in the near future.

Michigan 1999 girls

Michigan coach Bryan Goyings’ approach tends to start with the back, where the team built an incredible sturdy defense en route to its pathway here. But, paradoxically, it is his attack that will most likely be the thing that separates it from the pack, should Michigan bring home the ultimate hardware. Few teams in the nation are likely to match the one-two punch provided Riley Tanner and Madison Alexander. While the former rips down the flank as an inventive winger, the latter provides a fantastic outlet as a roving No. 9.

The key will be finding production in the midfield without Catie Baron, an attacking player who tore her ACL and will miss the tournament. If the back line helmed by talented players like Devin Jaqua can hold up against the fiery talent they’re likely to see, Michigan has every chance of winning it all.

North Carolina 1999 boys

Two years ago, this North Carolina side ran up against Cal South’s thresher here and lost 3-1, even if that game was a tad closer than that. This time around, NC is aiming for more.

The key for this side will be in the defense, where every team tries to build out for the postseason. That part goes without saying. But they’ll also rely heavily on the contributions of three standout players in particular: Noah Auger, Trevor Berk and Tyson Hickman. Auger was recently pulled up from the second group and provides good instincts, while Berk and Hickman add plenty of seasoning to the attack. Hickman in particular is riding a hot streak entering the tournament. He had two goals last weekend.

Cal South 1999 girls

Any Cal South team that makes it this far is worthy of veneration. There’s so much talent in this part of the state that its concentration naturally leads teams into good performances in this tournament. Its not uncommon to see a player choose an ODP team outright over other outlets.

And so it goes with this Cal South side, one of the more talented of its kind to come along in recent years. With coach John Napier’s side, it all starts with the defense, which managed to not give up a single goal in four qualifying matches. The catalyst of that attack is vaunted San Diego Surf forward Catarina Macario, one of the best youth players in the country and a top recruit in the 2017 class. Macario had nine goals in four games in regionals, and she will probably be the most talented girls player in Phoenix. If no team can slow her down, Cal South is undoubtedly the favorites in the ’99 age group.

Virginia 1999 girls

Finding a team at this level that can truly dictate tempo is paramount to finding a team that can bolster its chances at winning a title, and this Virginia team can certainly control a match. Both threatening in the attack going forward and bolted down at the back, most teams in Phoenix will have a tough time getting past this squad. Plus, the team is generally in good form. Relying on stalwarts like Grace Sklopan, Lucy Kellogg and Chloe Chiles would do any team good, while Gigi Foster and Colleen Norton provide the defensive spine for a dangerous squad in Phoenix.

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