ESPNHS takes a look at the players to watch for US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP) Girls Thanksgiving Interregional, which begins this weekend on the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Fla. Nearly 300 players representing each of the country's four US Youth Soccer regions in four age groups will take part in the event.
1994
Brittany Ratcliffe – The New Jersey star led Paul VI (Haddonfield, N.J.) to the New Jersey Non-Public A South semifinals. The Virginia commit led the team in goals scored and was second in assists.
Anna McClung – The forward from Gate City (Gate City, Va.) scored 62 goals during the high school season last spring. Her work there and at Gwinnett Soccer Association earned her a spot on the U-18 National Team this summer.
Taylor Aldrete – Portland commit is the leading scorer for So Cal Blues in ECNL play. She was one of two soccer players in California named to the Cal-Hi Sports Athletes of Honor this summer.
1995
Elizabeth Keester – The reigning Gatorade Player of the Year for Oklahoma plays for Jenks (Jenks, Okla.) and has committed to Texas A&M. She also earned the Golden Ball Award at the US Youth Soccer National Championships in July, playing for national runner-up TSC Hurricane.
Micaela Powers – Standout forward has twice been named to the Ohio All State team for her play at Beavercreek (Beavercreek, Ohio). This is her fourth consecutive season on the Region II ODP squad.
Caroline Chagares – Midfielder won the US Youth Soccer U15 National Championship last year with PDA Slammers. This fall she carried Ramapo (Franklin Lakes, N.J.) to the sectional finals in New Jersey.
1996
Monica Flores and Sabrina Flores – The twins provide a dual threat for Soccer Domain FC and Livingston (Livingston, N.J.). They both made the U15 National Team Camp in March.
Tori Bowman – Holds down the midfield for prominent Dallas Sting, who won the Region III Championship this summer and currently sits atop the ECNL Texas Conference. She also led a young team from Grapevine (Grapevine, Texas) to the regional semifinal last fall.
Maddie Huster – The St. Ursula (Cincinnati, Ohio) midfielder is no stranger to ODP and even National Team camps. She plays for defending Ohio South State Cup champion Ohio Elite.
1997
Mimi Asom – Golden Ball Award winner at this summer’s US Youth Soccer National Championships, leading Dallas Sting to a national title. She’s a huge part of the offense for Sting, which remains undefeated through eight ECNL matches this season.
Jessica Clegg – Forward and captain for San Diego Surf, she recorded a goal and two assists in last month’s victory over Eagles. This is her third straight season on the ODP team.
Courtney Peterson – The leading scorer for Michigan Hawks has earned a spot on National Team camps twice in the past. The versatile forward is also a two-time ODP player.
For a look at the updated rosters from all age groups, click here.