FRISCO, Texas (Nov. 28, 2016) – North Texas Soccer players Trinity Thomas and Ethan Orozco represented Region III at their respective 2016 US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP) Thanksgiving Interregionals.
Thomas, who has played with both Solar Chelsea FC and Dallas Texans, played in her fourth consecutive Girls ODP Thanksgiving Interregional in the 1999 Girls age group. Thomas helped lead Region III to a 2-1 record and a second-place finish. The Harvard University commit has scored three goals for Region III, including two at the 2015 ODP Thanksgiving Interregional, where Region III finished in second place in a field that included all of the other regions and the Under-15 U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team. Thomas has played North Texas Soccer ODP since 2011 and reached the semifinals of the 2013 US Youth Soccer North Texas State Cup with Dallas Texans. The Girls ODP Thanksgiving Interregional took place from Nov. 18-25 in Boca Raton, Fla.
Orozco made his first appearance at the Boys ODP Thanksgiving Interregional as Region III finished third with a 0-1-2 record. Orozco has played North Texas ODP since 2013 and plays his club soccer for Solar. Orozco won the 2016 North Texas Soccer State Cup with Solar and competed at the 2016 US Youth Soccer Region III Championships. Orozco recently qualified to the 2017 Region III Championships courtesy of Solar winning the 2016 US Youth Soccer Southern Regional Premier League West division, and will compete in the 2016-17 US Youth Soccer National League starting in December. The Boys ODP Thanksgiving Interregional took place Nov. 24-28 at Grande Sports World in Casa Grande, Ariz.
The US Youth Soccer Thanksgiving Interregionals annually attract numerous college coaches, as well as several U.S. Soccer scouts. The talent on display from each team allows coaches and scouts to evaluate players in an environment similar to what they will face at the next level of play. The Region III teams consist of players from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, North Texas and South Texas.