By Kaitlyn LeBoutillier
For the first time in a decade, a top Ottawa South United Force youth soccer team will get to compete for a national championship when they take to the pitch for the first-ever Canadian Player Development Program Championship this week in Edmonton.
OSU has played in the Ontario Player Development League since it was created in 2014, when it replaced the former promotion/relegated system with a circuit where only clubs that meet admission standards for high-performance training are granted membership.
Force teams have collected provincial titles at the pace of roughly two per season in the OPDL, but they never had the chance to compete for a national crown until Canada Soccer organized the first PDP under-15 and U17 Cup tournaments this year.
Top teams from Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia – the four provinces that run similar player development leagues – will each play four matches apiece from Aug. 13-18.
The OSU U15 boys, who captured an OPDL league championship at the U14 level last season, will be the lone local representatives at the event.
“It means a lot for us, for our players. It’s the first time that we are going to do an event like this,” signals OSU U15 boys’ coach Emilio Millan. “The exposure that we’re going to have is big. To be seen by universities for the future, by professional clubs, by the Canadian national team, it’s something that is going to give them opportunities and give us a chance to reach the next step.”
The Force earned their berth in the national competition by winning the 2023 OPDL league with an undefeated record of 17 wins and 3 ties. This is the third year working with the team for Millan, who grew up and coached in Spain before joining OSU in December 2021. A strong work ethic has been evident within the group from the start, he indicates.
“The kind of players that we have, the profile of the players, the commitment that is required for this level – they have the skills. They are special,” underlines Millan, adding that the team’s consistent effort is another big reason the team excels.
“Overall, I think it’s the determination and the focus and the motivation every single day to know that we can reach different levels – higher levels,” he explains.
Staying motivated can sometimes be a challenge for all teams, but it becomes a lot easier when surrounded by a group of like-minded friends, Millan highlights, noting there is a high level of camaraderie within his squad, most of whom have played together since the U8/9 level.
The trip to Edmonton will “provide the team an opportunity to be together for a week – something that we are very excited for,” says Millan, whose squad posted a 9-1-1 record in the first half of this year’s OPDL campaign.
Another exciting aspect of the tournament is getting to play new teams, he notes. Each of the four participating provinces has two representatives at the event.
OSU is familiar with their provincial neighbours from winter tournaments in Montreal and past interlock league play, but the western teams are a bit more of an unknown.
Millan says the Quebec entries will provide the level of competition they are eager to face, and that they are trying to learn what they can about what strengths and weaknesses the clubs from Alberta and B.C. may offer.
The Force kick off their tournament against AS Blainville on Aug. 14, followed by Group A matches with Calgary Villains on Aug. 15 and Surrey United on Aug. 17. AS Laval, Calgary Foothills and Hamilton United Elite are in the other pool. The group winners will compete in the national cup final on Aug. 18, while the others will play in placement matches.
OSU U15 girls win OPDL Cup in PKs
While OSU’s U15 boys were taking off for their national Cup tournament, the club’s U15 girls were busy capturing a Cup of their own at the provincial level.
Competing in the OPDL Cup final on Aug. 10 in Toronto, the Force emerged as champions following a deciding penalty-kicks shootout with Woodbridge.
The contest finished tied 1-1 after regulation, with OSU’s goal coming from Abigail White following a precise setup by Zeina Zibara.
Force goalkeeper Liv Harthun set off the celebrations with her second diving save of the shootout to give OSU a 4-3 win on penalties.