Woodbury Soccer Club Players Selected to Minnesota Olympic Development Teams

Article by Katie Bratland

Nineteen players from Woodbury Soccer Club (WSC) were selected to US Youth Soccer MN State Olympic Development (ODP) Teams.

After a series of try-outs at the district level, the ODP coaches identified a select pool of players from the state who will receive further training. From this pool a group of players was selected to attend the ODP Region II Camp that was held in July.

Of the WSC players selected to the MN State Team at their age level, Sam Lee (1999 Boys Team) and Danielle Stuber (2000 Girls Team) were held over at the regional camp to be part of the Region II pool of players.

“I made the ODP State Team the last two years, which is really exciting,” said Danielle Stuber. “It was so great when I found out I was chosen to be a holdover for the regional pool and asked to stay at camp for a few more days. The girls that I played with were at my competitive level, but some pushed me to make my game faster and it was more challenging. It was fun to compete with, and against, players from other states. I plan on doing ODP every year that I can.”

The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP) was started in 1977 as a way to identify a pool of the most skilled players at each age group from which a National Team can be selected for international competition.

Through a series of trials that start at the district level, progress through the state, region and finally, the national level, players rapidly develop their skill as they are exposed to an increased level of training and competition. As players and teams progress through the program they compete at inter-regional and international competitions.

“It was an awesome learning experience to play with the best from each state in our region,” said Sam Lee, who made the 1999 MN State ODP team and was a holdover for the Region II pool. “I learned several big picture tactical skills such as field awareness and passing patterns. Also, ODP reinforced in me an attitude of wanting to get better.”

Below are the players from WSC who were selected to the MN State ODP Teams and the age level of the team:

Girls ODP State Age Level Teams

Danielle Nelson 1996

Katie Scheibner 1997

Brooke Valiukas 1999

Kendall Stevenson 2000

Mataya Mierzejewski 2000

Danielle Stuber 2000 (holdover for Region II pool)

Lexi Roti 2001

Taylor Venancio 2001

Boys ODP State Age Level Teams

Aaron Clark 1997

Jack Flavin 1999

Sam Lee 1999 (holdover for Region II pool)

Hunter Goff 2000

Jacob Redden 2000

Mitch Watanabe 2000

Cameron Coleman 2001

Charlie Menken 2001

Harry Menken 2001

Daniel Muths 2001

David Thalhuber 2001

Ryan Erickson 2001

For more information about the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program in Minnesota visit its website. 

About Woodbury Soccer Club

Woodbury Soccer Club (WSC) is a club for anyone living in the Woodbury, or surrounding communities, who is looking for a great soccer experience. Regardless of school boundary or zip code, WSC provides opportunities for all players, from Recreation to Premier Competitive level. The club strives to provide all players with an experience that allows them to maximize their ability, desire and goals. WSC is an affiliate of WAA and a member of Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (MYSA). For more information visit the Woodbury Soccer Club website.

• • • •

For updates and other information about the community, join us on Patch, Like us on Facebook and follow Woodbury on Twitter.