A remarkable total of eight Severna Park Green Hornets soccer players were recently selected to represent Maryland in the 2016 US Youth Soccer U12 Olympic Development Program (ODP). The US Youth Soccer ODP is a national identification and development program for high-level soccer players. The program identifiesand develops youth players throughout the country to represent their state and regional associations. Maryland State ODP teams are comprised of the best Maryland players in various age groups selected through open tryouts.
"It is a real testament to the kids, coaches, and parents that our program accounts for almost 10% of all the players selected for the Maryland U12 ODP pool" said Matt Souder, Severna Park Soccer Commissioner. "That's a really impressive number and shows that our volunteer coach model can, and does, work." "There are a lot of paid-coach clubs and other options to choose from in the area, but with the focus of the kids, the commitment of the coaches, and the patience of the parents, we can provide the tools and training these great athletes need to compete at a very high level." 3-time State Cup Champion SP Fever just aged-out this year so it’s good to know the Severna Park Green Hornets have some talented kids and great teams ready to take up the mantle.
Training for the ODP team begins in April 2016 and runs through the summer. The U13-U17 teams will be announced at the conclusion of their tryouts in December. The Green Hornets players selected for the 2016 Maryland U12 ODP team from the U12 SP Heat are: Griffin Bodziak, Mike Johnson, Anders Nelson, Ryan Steele, Zach Tettemer, and Braden Van Den Berg. Joining them from the U11 SP United team are Ryan Rivera and Evan Souder.
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Back row (L-R): Zach Tettemer, Griffin Bodziak, Mikey Johnson, Ryan Steele
Front row (L-R): Evan Souder, Braden Van Den Berg, Anders Nelson
Not Pictured: Ryan Rivera