Regional Trainint Centers
Initially created in 1977 as the US Youth Soccer Select Team Program, the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP) was formed to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a national team could be selected for international competition; to provide high‐level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels; and, through the use of carefully selected and licensed coaches, to develop a mechanism for the exchange of ideas and curriculums to improve all levels of coaching. US Youth Soccer ODP is the only elite player development program that can claim members of Major League Soccer and the National Women's Soccer League, as well as a majority of current and past national and youth team members, as alumni. It’s viewed as the premier identification and development program for any American youth seeking the opportunity to compete at the national and collegiate levels of play. US Youth Soccer ODP exists in every state association, and offers collegiate and national team staff coaches the opportunity to see the nation’s elite players in the most competitive of environments. In addition to training and tactics, US Youth Soccer ODP offers competition such as the Regional and National ODP championships, as well as further participation in major international tournaments. US Youth Soccer ODP continues to lead the way for elite player development in the United States.

What is the Timbers Regional Training Center (RTC) Program?
Three years ago, Oregon ODP regionalized the ODP program in four parts of the state for the youngest age group. With the Portland Timbers taking over the ODP program, the regional training center program remains in place with six RTC centers on the boy’s side and five RTC centers on the girl’s side. These centers will take place in Vancouver, WA (Boys only), Portland West, Portland East, Bend, Eugene and Medford. The goal of the RTC structure is to increase participation in each part of the state for ODP by limiting travel and expense while also creating good competition in each part of the state for players to improve, while finding the top talent in all parts of the state of Oregon.

Why Regionalize ODP?
Creating six different pools in five parts of the state creates a competitive environment for players. It creates excitement to play for a select team in your area of the state. It limits traveling for parents and players, and it gives players the opportunity to play for the Timbers state select team and improve as soccer players. It also creates development by playing with and against the best with the chance at playing in the Timbers RTC tournament which brings all six pools together for a two‐day tournament. This tournament gives all six regions the opportunity for bragging rights in the state and the opportunity to keep the “Jimmy Conway Tournament Cup” for a year.