AH which way did he go

he went the same way you were.

Duh

Answer to last Q: $0000 (Truth! can't afford it- take a stab at that )

Response to the rest... you are absolutely right. MLS worthy? my son is not! Was the experience of 4 days among great kids, great coaching, athleticism, competition, and instruction worthit? Absolutely! It will contribute to the over-all, well-rounded, interesting and open human being I hope any of my children will become (soccer/no soccer)

No apologies for thinking that life is full of opportunities to learn, some more direct than others. Sure let's all discuss the human beings we raise in a few years and see how they fared...until then, I am thrilled he had such a nice experience and now on to the many thousands of other life-experiences that enrich a person.

Being one of those kids that played at the highest level I have to say it has helped me to be who I am. School is extremely important but also the chance to play with others at the highest level is incredible. I nor my parents regret taking me out of school for some soccer. I was one of the lucky ones that were able to play at a Top 4 Div 1 school and receive a great education I am now a mother of three and a RN so to me I got the best of both a chance to travel to learn and to mature I wouldn't trade that for the world and still treasure those times. Is it for everyone no and that's fine But the way people talk on here is crazy. To put other's down because of their decision is crazy. I beleive the topic was what is the difference between ODP and ID2 and now the topic is out of hand.

oh, you felt free to take a stab at the other kid but took offense when they hit back? what a spoiled brat.

can afford or not, it is out of question. the truth is, with how the economy is going every parent is feeling the financial burden. apparently not you wealthy one. there are lot of ways to experience great competition, coaching among other stuff in a cheaper way. if money can buy one's way into soccer success you won't find third world countries winning the world cup. so go ahead, spend all you can on these money making trainers and programs. no matter which you'd look at it, kids soccer is a business in america with very little return to those who buy the service. if these were europe, i would spend my money on soccer training and forget about school for my kid.

Does anybody know where/when the girls early spring ECNL/id2 event takes place? The website lists it as tbd. I saw that last year's was in Florida in early/mid February. Also, the age groups are listed as tbd, anybody know how they determine which age groups will be selected to attend?

LOL, they ARE ID2. To the point that national team quality players on the boys side are ignored because they'll never be at PDA.

I have known since my son was little that if my daughter is any good at soccer, she'll HAVE to end up at PDA - it's a captive audience.

I have a questions about $0 = 100% free for ID2.

Do they pay travel costs? Someone mentioned Texas, someone else mentioned Florida. I know a lot of families who cannot afford to pay for transportation that far.

ODP is not that expensive when you calculate in how many training sessions there are. It is a team program, ID2 is not. Plus it is local at the state level.

Playing for the state should be an honor. Being picked for ID2 should be an honor. Both are soccer resume builders for your kid.

As for missing school, it is overrated as being important. My kid will miss a week of school due to a soccer tournament, not even ODP or ID2. The school doesn't like it, but he will work with his teachers to get the make-up work. If your kid's school progress is so tenuous that missing five days of school will make or break them, that's a much bigger problem.

It's all p'ssing into the wind unless your kid is picked. My son's experience with NJ ODP was great, even though the money was about standard for any training program. ID2 is out of the question because you can see that they only pick from certain clubs on the boys side. The only thing I would mention is to be careful to not turn down offers for your child, as long as you have the money for it. All this cynicism would be okay if your kid is *IT*, but for some kids, missing the chance to go to ID2 or participate in ODP could change their career.

And BTW, someone mentioned that DA's are the only source for national team players at the youth level now. One, the youngest age groups are pre-academy so not true DA yet. Two, show me how many of the DA players DIDN'T do ODP. It's pretty clear that most U17B players in the national program did ODP before the DA program was together. That fact is being ignored.