I’m excited to begin my role as Executive Director of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association and to work alongside you to continue growing soccer across the Commonwealth.
As we kick off the Spring season, my team and I are here to support you, your players, coaches, referees, volunteers, and administrators. Our goal is to be trusted partners, providing guidance, resources, and support to help you succeed. Developing the game at every level is my top priority. I look forward to collaborating with our member clubs and partners to expand opportunities, strengthen programs, and foster a positive, inclusive, and player-centered soccer environment statewide.
This Spring, I will be visiting each of our regions and connecting directly with our member clubs and associations. I’ll share a regional visit calendar soon, as listening to your perspectives and understanding your needs will be essential to our work together.
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, we’re building momentum, inspiring young athletes, advancing coaching and referee development, and laying a strong foundation for the future.
Looking ahead to 2027, we’ll celebrate VYSA’s 50th Anniversary our Golden Year! Together, we’ll honor our history and build an exciting, sustainable future for Virginia soccer Thank you for all you do for the game and for our players across Virginia. I look forward to working with you.
Warm regards, .
VIRGINIAODPFRIENDLIES
The Virginia ODP Friendlies took place in Williamsburg, VA on February 20th - 22nd. VYSA ODP was joined by Maryland Youth Soccer, New Jersey Youth Soccer, West Virginia Youth Soccer, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer, and North Carolina Youth Soccer
Thank you to all of the ODP players, coaches, referees, and families for making the Virginia ODP Friendlies a great player development experience!
Virginia ODP Players Selected to 2026 National Select Teams 13
Written by Gordon Miller, VYSA Technical Direc
TheVirginia Olympic Development Program (ODP)proudly announces that 13 young athletesfrom across the state have been selected to the2026 ODP National Select Teams. This year’s honorees includeeight boys and five girls, all of whom have progressed through the rigorous state and regional identification process and earned spots on national rosters competing internationally
What the selection means
TheU.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP)is a nationwide talent identification and development pathway designed to support highpotential youth soccer players. Through district tryouts, state training pools, regional competitions, and national identification events, players develop technically and tactically while showcasing their skills in front of national staff coaches.
Making aNational Select Teamis a significant achievement it places players among the top performers in their age group nationwide and provides opportunities to compete internationally at spring tournaments and friendlies. For many of these young athletes, this recognition is a major milestone on their soccer journey and can lead to further opportunities in college and beyond
LawsonWatt,2008Boys
ThomasMurray,2009Boys
JahiStockton,2009Boys
AtsawinKraiwan,2009Boys
GabeBenbatoul,2011Boys
SeanFreson,2011Boys
BradenScrofani,2013Boys
JamesBaldwin,2010Boys
The eight Virginia boys selected span several birth years from the 2008 to 2013 groups. Their selection reflects outstanding performances throughout district, state, and regional ODP events.
These young men will represent Virginia and the East Region at upcoming international competitions, which may include tours in Spain, Portugal, and tournaments such as theEastern International Cupor similar events hosted by US Youth Soccer.
Avery Adams, 2013 Girls
Laikyn Funk, 2009 Girls
Emilia Gomez, 2012 Girls
Taniyah Brown, 2012 Girls
Zana Pinchotti, 2010 Girls
The five girls selected from Virginia also represent top talent from their age groups and earned selection through standout play at ODP and interregional events.
These athletes will join girls from across the country to train, compete, and continue their development on the national stage. Their inclusion highlights the strength of Virginia’s girls ODP program and the depth of talent emerging from the state.Their respective age groups will also travel overseas in the Spring to take on international competition.
Looking Ahead
All 13 players now move into the national phase of ODP, where they’ll train with the best peers from across the U.S., compete against international opponents, and gain experience in environments that mirror elite soccer competition This exposure not only hones their skills but also positions them for future opportunities in college recruiting and even professional pathways.
Congratulations to these 13 Virginia ODP standouts your hard work, dedication, and passion for the game have earned you a place among the nation’s elite young soccer players!Also, a huge congratulations to these players Virginia based clubs and all the hard work that they have put in to help develop these players
day day worlddown world downsyndrome syndrome
TOPSoccer is extremely proud to celebrate our amazing athletes with disAbilities on World Down Syndrome Day -- March 21. The Virginia Youth Soccer Association strongly believes that all children,regardlessofskilllevelandability,shouldbeabletoplayandenjoythe“beautifulgame”of soccer.
PeoplewithDownsyndromeareuniquebecausetheyhavethreecopiesofchromosome21(3/21),but what isn’t unique is their desire to be included in meaningful experiences, a yearning for positive social interaction, and the opportunity to just be a kid having fun! In communities across Virginia, TOPSocceristhesecretsaucethathelpsmakethishappen!
For more information about US Youth Soccer’s program for athletes with disAbilities, volunteer opportunities, and to find a list of the Virginia’s TOPSoccer programs, please visit www.VYSA.com or contact VYSA TOPSoccer Chair (John Schlenker) at piedmontTOPSoccer@gmail.com
