Youth Soccer Olympic Development Tryouts Coming to TCNJ

The program is the first of its kind to help identify potential national youth team players, and was introduced in 1977, according to the website. Evaluations begin at the local level and progress through the state, regional and national level.

The players identified are brought together for training and are prepared for competition between states and regions, as well as international competition.

It’s open to any youth player associated with U.S. Soccer.

Training becomes more intense as a youth progresses. Players selected for the regional team have competed against players around the country, and have travelled to Spain, Italy, France, England, Argentina, Costa Rica, Germany and Russia, among other locations.

Each session will be focused on a specific age group. The schedule is the same for the weekend of July 27-28 and Aug. 3-4 on Green Lane Fields 1-4, as follows:

9 a.m.-10:30 a.m.: Children born in 2001

10:30 a.m.-noon: Children born in 2000

1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.: Children born in 1999

2:30 p.m.-4 p.m.: Children born in 1998

4 p.m.-5:30 p.m.: Children born in 1997

For the youngest age groups, players will be grouped together geographically for tryouts for the 2013-14 season.

Players from Monmouth County will be grouped with players from Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean and Salem counties.

Players from Mercer and Middlesex counties will be grouped with players from Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Union and Warren counties.

For more information on the program, visit njyouthsoccer.com.