COLORADO SELECT: 2020 US YOUTH SOCCER ODP WEST CHAMPIONSHIPS RECAP

By Javier Arellano | jarellano@coloradosoccer.org | Jan. 10, 2020 at 8:36 am

PHOENIX, AZ — Twelve Colorado Select teams traveled to Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday, January 2nd for the 2020 US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program West Championships, bringing together some of the best youth players in the region.

The ODP Championships is arguably the most important event of the year for all Colorado Select players. This is the platform where college, regional and national team scouts come to find top-level talent, and a place where coaches and players get a chance to showcase their skills and represent their state. This year four Colorado Select teams made it out of group stage and reached the semifinals: the 2008 Boys, 2006 Girls, 2007 Girls and the 2008 Girls all moved on.

2008 Boys - Colorado Select was a brand new experience for all players. It was their first ODP Championships tournament and counted with a roster filled with talented players all across the U12 age group, including Fall State Cup MVP Angel Reyes. Coached and led by Elliott Prost, the ‘08 Boys recorded a perfect 3/3 group stage play beating Southern Nevada 3-2, Cal North 2-1 and Arizona “Blue” 5-0. “The 2008’s had a very positive showing,” said Prost. “They were able to get out of a tough group by winning all 3 games convincingly and playing some of the nicest football seen all weekend.” Unfortunately, in the semifinals they would run into eventual Regional Champions, Washington. “The focus was set on giving ourselves the best chance possible to succeed in the games and advance to the semifinal. The goal was accomplished thanks to the great level of commitment from the entire group,” Prost added. “Small details like punctuality, attire, attitude in public areas was top notch and throughout the weekend all was done with the highest possible standard to keep the environment extremely professional.” Needless to say, Prost and the rest of the group had a great experience not only because of the results attained, but also because the players are developing. “This experience is awesome for all. They face new competition, work with new coaches and alongside different teammates. It is good to break the routine of what they experience with their club," he said.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: 2008B vs Arizona

2006 Girls - Luke Meadows and the rest of the ‘06 Girls suffered a heartbreaking loss to end this tournament. They kicked things off on Friday with a big time 1-0 win over Washington, followed by two other statement 4-0 wins over Northern Nevada and Alaska. However; in the semifinals after taking the lead in the first half, Arizona would equalize the scoresheet and extend the game into extra-time. Neither team would prove to be dangerous enough, forcing penalty kicks. After five rounds, Arizona would move on to the Final by winning the shootout 5-4. Kicks from the spot would determine the result of this game, ending a terrific performance by this group of players and coaches.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: 2006G vs Alaska

2007 Girls - Having only conceded one goal in three games and scored a total of 19 during group stage, the ‘07 Girls were relentless. “I was specially proud of this team and their efforts in the Regional Championships,” said Head Coach & Colorado Select Program Director Maren McCrary. “They played composed, high energy soccer with sophisticated movements off the ball,” she added. McCrary’s team would come up short in the semifinals against Cal North, but assures that they are on the right track, “This group is talented and the pool is deep, which is what allowed us to prepare so well for the tournament.”

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: 2007G vs Alaska

2008 Girls - After their very first game against New Mexico on Friday, you can tell this ‘08G was something special. The camaraderie, the level of trust from the players joking with one another, having fun but also knowing when it was time to get after it, this group was special. Inside the pitch, they were dynamic, focused, obsessed with having possession of the ball and finishing plays. Playing out from the back, they moved the ball from side to side, frequently finding the feet of their creative players in the half space. In the final third, they were dangerous. A through ball, a 1v1 situation or a shot from long range, like the game-winning goal in the semifinal game against Cal North, you just never knew what was next. Defensively, most of the time they were stingy, tight to the mark. If opponents got a shot off, the goalkeepers would answer with diving saves. They were a team hard to break down conceding only two goals during five games, one of them in the 1-0 loss to Southern Nevada in the Final. Their 26 goals proved to be the most scored from any Colorado Select team, with wins against New Mexico, Alaska, Idaho and Cal North. After the disappointing loss in the Final and the awards ceremony, we drove to the hotel to get our belongings. I had the opportunity to travel back to the airport with the group, joining one of the parents who was team chaperone. In the van, the girls were sad, disappointed, but optimistic. They knew the talented team they had simply came up short on the day. I would argue the best value this team carried though, was unity. They showed this throughout the tournament. From having almost all the team high-five their goalkeeper during an amazing save, to players in the bench celebrating goals as if they had scored it themselves, this group was all in. I’ve seen plenty of soccer in my life, at all levels, and quite frankly these are some of the best twelve-year olds I’ve ever seen play. Sure enough, some of the players on this team have bright futures ahead.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: 2008G vs Southern Nevada | Championship Game

While the ODP Championships are all done, the Colorado Select program is still active this Spring prior to tryouts. The focus now shifts to several players attending a Cal North-hosted mini camp, four combined age group teams heading to Southern California for the Pacific Coast Invitational at the end of February and six teams planned to represent Colorado in the Portland Timbers Friendship Cup in Oregon later in May.

By The Numbers

Below are statistics gathered as a program for the Colorado Select teams during the 2020 US Youth Soccer ODP West Championships.

Goals Scored (including pk’s): 98

Goals Against (including pk’s): 110

Total # of Wins: 20

Total # of Losses: 24

Total # of Ties: 4

Total # of Teams in Semifinals: 4

Total # of Teams in Final: 1

2020 US Youth Soccer ODP West Championships Team Pictures

Want more pictures? Check out all the action shots from the 2020 US Youth Soccer ODP West Championships HERE