PHOENIX (Jan. 5, 2017) — The 2017 Region IV US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (US Youth Soccer ODP) Championships, began Jan. 5 at Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix. The four-day tournament will feature teams of elite players in the 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 age groups, from Region IV, which includes Alaska, Arizona, California North, California South, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
The four day tournament will ultimately determine who represents Region IV in the 2017 US Youth Soccer ODP Championships in the 2000 and 2001 age groups. Washington 99 Boys won its Region IV title last year while the California South 99 Girls and 2000 Boys and Girls won their respective Region IV and ODP National championships.
With programs in all 55 US Youth Soccer State Associations, US Youth Soccer ODP, the original Olympic development program, is available to any player. US Youth Soccer ODP is the only elite player development program that can claim members of Major League Soccer, the National Women’s Soccer League, and the majority of current and past national and youth national team members, as alumni.
Some Utah match highlights from today's games:
2000 Boys
Utah boys finish the day in second place in group C with 3 points after a 2-0 win against Idaho and a close 2-1 loss to Washington. They will finish up preliminary action with a game against Cal South tomorrow at 3:00pm. It was a good day for Utah goalscorers as both Israel Baizabal and Brandon Cervantes are in the top ten scorers after one day.
2000 Girls
The 2000 Girls team sits in first place after a resounding 5-0 victory over Oregon. 5 different players scored for Utah, starting with a goal in the 4th minute by Hailee Atwater. Utah ended the first half with a 4-0 lead and closed it with a 5th goal in the 59th to end all scoring. Utah plays again tomorrow with game against Colorado at 9:00am.
2001 Boys
Utah was the only Group A team to earn six points through both its two games with victories over Cal North and Arizona Grey. Utah started the day off great with a 4-0 win over Cal North at 9:00am and ended it with a 4-2 win at 5:00pm over Arizona Grey. The 8 goals scored makes Utah the highest scoring team after day 1. Utah finishes up group play tomorrow with a game against Oregon at 1:00pm.
2001 Girls
After the first day of play, Utah and Cal North sit on top of Group A. Utah won 2-0 over Eastern Washington. Brecken Mozingo scored a brace to help lead the team to victory. Utah plays twice tomorrow with a game against Alaska at 9:00am and against Cal North at 5:00pm.
2002 Boys
Utah and Idaho are tied for first in Group B. Utah won both games in convincing fashion, 9-1 winners against Colorado, and 5-0 against Nevada. The 14 goals lead the age group and George Pineda leads all goalscorers with 3. They finish tomorrow at 1:00pm against Idaho.
2002 Girls
Utah defeated Oregon 5-1. The win puts them in a tie for first in Group C. Caroline Stringfellow scored twice to pace the victory. They play twice tomorrow against New Mexico and Cal North.
2003 Boys
Utah is in second place in Group C after a win and a loss. After starting the day with a 1-0 loss to Oregon, Utah rebounded nicely with a 3-0 win over Cal North. They will finish up group play tomorrow at 3:00pm against Colorado.
2003 Girls
Utah got an important point today with a scoreless draw against Idaho. They will play two games tomorrow against Cal South and Hawaii, at 9:00am and 5:00pm respectively.
2004 Boys
Utah was a perfect 2-0 in its first two Group B games scoring five goals and allowing none. The goals were scored by 5 different players emphasizing the balanced scoring this Utah team has. The will play their last game of group play tomorrow at 3:00pm against Arizona 04 Red.
2004 Girls
Utah lost a tough game to group leader Washington 2-0. Luckily, Utah has a great opportunity to rebound tomorrow with two games against Colorado and Hawaii. Those games will be played at 9:00am and 5:00pm.
