Hamden native Lily Joseph recently stepped onto the world stage at the 2026 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, representing the United States at one of the most prestigious youth soccer competitions on the planet. Along the way, Connecticut ODP played a meaningful role in her development, including recognition as the 2022 Connecticut ODP Female Player of the Year.
Her story is one that reflects what the Connecticut ODP pathway can help players achieve. With registration now open for the 2026-27 cycle, the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association (CJSA) is inviting the next generation of players to start writing their own chapter of success at the state level.
About the Olympic Development Program
The Olympic Development Program (ODP) is an identification and development system officially sanctioned by U.S. Soccer and linked to the United States Soccer Federation and US Youth Soccer. Established in 1977 as the first program of its kind in the country, ODP was designed to identify talented young players and provide them with a structured pathway that could lead to representing Regional and U.S. Youth National Teams.
Players enter the program at the state level, competing alongside and against like-talented athletes from across Connecticut. From there, the pathway progresses to regional and potentially national levels, with each step providing a higher level of competition, coaching, and visibility. ODP also offers players significant exposure to college coaches, making it a meaningful component of a player’s long-term development plan.
New for 2026-27: ODP Expands to the South
The 2026-27 cycle marks a significant expansion of Connecticut ODP. For the first time, CJSA will offer ODP South, a new program site at the Danbury Sports Dome, serving boys and girls players in the U10 and U12 age groups. The expansion is designed to bring ODP programming to more players across the state, with plans to grow the Danbury site to additional age groups in the years ahead.
ODP North continues at Farmington Sports Arena in Farmington, serving boys and girls athletes from U10 through U17.
Program Locations:
- ODP North: Farmington Sports Arena, 11 Executive Drive, Farmington, CT (U10-U17)
- ODP South (NEW): Danbury Sports Dome, 25 Shelter Rock Lane, Danbury, CT (U10-U12)
ODP Tryouts: Registration Is Open Now
Tryouts for the 2026-27 ODP cycle will be held in November at both the Farmington and Danbury locations. CJSA anticipates a player pool of 32 players per age group (28 field players and 4 goalkeepers) for ODP, and 28 players (24 field players and 4 goalkeepers) for Pre-ODP.
Tryout Details:
- Tryout Registration Fee: $25 (non-refundable)
- Late Fee: $10 (begins October 19th for U12-U13 and November 9th for U14-U17)
- Register Now: Click Here
- ODP North Tryout Schedule (Farmington): View Schedule
- ODP South Tryout Schedule (Danbury): View Schedule
Age Groups and Program Options
ODP (U12-U17):
- U12 (Born 2015-2016)
- U13 (Born 2014)
- U14 (Born 2013)
- U15 (Born 2012)
- U16-17 (Born 2010-2011)
Program Fee: $700
The $700 program fee includes a full goalkeeper or field player uniform package and training sessions running from January through June. Teams will also participate in four events during the cycle, culminating in the ODP Tournament during the weekend of June 11-13, 2027.
Pre-ODP: The Starting Point for Younger Players
For Connecticut’s youngest developing players, Pre-ODP offers an entry point into the ODP pathway. The Pre-ODP Program is a limited selection winter program for U9-U10 players (born 2017-2018) designed to facilitate player development and provide early exposure to the next level of the game.
Pre-ODP includes approximately eight winter training sessions and one Blue vs. White event, all led by ODP staff coaches. The program is offered at both the Farmington and Danbury locations.
Pre-ODP Program Fee: $500
The $500 fee includes an ODP t-shirt, team training sessions, and event games. Players are asked to wear black shorts and socks to training and events.
Connecticut ODP on the National Stage
Connecticut ODP has a proven track record of producing players who go on to represent at the regional and national levels. In the 2025-26 cycle, 17 Connecticut players earned selection to the US Youth Soccer ODP East Region Team, an outstanding achievement that reflects the quality of player development happening across the state.
And as Lily Joseph’s journey to the 2026 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup demonstrates, the ODP pathway has the potential to carry Connecticut players all the way to the international stage.
Have Questions About ODP?
- Boys ODP Director: Todd D’Alessandro (todd.dalessandro@cjsa.org)
- Girls ODP Director: Jim O’Brien (coachjimob@gmail.com)
- General Questions: odp@cjsa.org
To contact the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association, please call (860) 676-1161 or email office@cjsa.org. Also make sure to follow us on social media!