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– A youth soccer matchup is scheduled between New mexico Youth Soccer Association’s NMYSA ODP Girls team (class of 2014) and Nebraska State Soccer Association’s Nebraska 2015G team.
– The event is set for January 2, 2026, at 4:00 PM.
– The snippet also references categories including male soccer and various age groups, but no additional specifics are provided.
Semifinals, the deepest run in state history at the time.
Table of Contents
- 1. Semifinals, the deepest run in state history at the time.
- 2. New Mexico ODP Girls (2014) – Team Snapshot
- 3. Nebraska State Girls (2015) – Team Snapshot
- 4. Tactical Breakdown
- 5. Statistical Comparison
- 6. Player Development Impact
- 7. Practical tips for Youth Soccer Coaches
- 8. Resources & Further Reading
Match Overview – Jan 2 2026
Location: Alamosa Soccer Complex, Alamosa, CO
Teams: New Mexico ODP Girls (Class of 2014) vs. Nebraska State girls (Class of 2015)
Event: Inter‑state youth soccer showcase organized by US Youth Soccer and the Olympic Development Program (ODP)
New Mexico ODP Girls (2014) – Team Snapshot
Program foundation
- Established in 1999, New Mexico’s ODP identifies elite players for national‑team pipelines.
- The 2014 Girls cohort logged 23 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss in regional play.
Season highlights
- Southwest Regional Championship – Defeated Arizona 3‑1 (July 2014).
- US Youth Soccer National Cup – Reached quarter‑finals, best finish for the state until 2018.
- College placement – 12 players earned full‑ride scholarships to NCAA Division I programs (e.g., University of New Mexico, Colorado State).
Key contributors
- Mia Torres (Forward, 5‑2 record): scored the winning goal in the 2014 SW Regional final.
- Sofia Delgado (Midfielder, 8 assists): Named “Player of the Year” by the New Mexico soccer Association.
- Jenna Ruiz (Goalkeeper, 0.65 GAA): Recorded 4 clean sheets in the national cup run.
Nebraska State Girls (2015) – Team Snapshot
Program foundation
- nebraska’s ODP operates under the Nebraska Youth Soccer Association,focusing on statewide talent identification.
- The 2015 Girls squad posted 21 wins,3 draws,2 losses in the Midwest circuit.
Season highlights
- Midwest Regional Championship – 2‑0 victory over Iowa (June 2015).
- US Youth Soccer National Cup – Advanced to the semifinals, the deepest run in state history at the time.
- College placement – 15 players secured commitments, including 5 to the University of Nebraska‑Omaha and 3 to Stanford.
Key contributors
- Emma Larson (Forward, 6‑3 record): Led the tournament scoring chart with 10 goals.
- Taylor Miller (Defender, 3 goals, 6 assists): Captained the side, earning “Best Defender” honors at the national cup.
- Ava Patel (Goalkeeper, 0.58 GAA): Ranked top‑5 nationally for save percentage in 2015.
Tactical Breakdown
| Aspect | New Mexico ODP (2014) | Nebraska State (2015) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary formation | 4‑3‑3 (high press) | 4‑2‑3‑1 (balanced) |
| Pressing style | Aggressive, early ball recovery | Structured, zonal press after loss of possession |
| Transition attack | Quick wing play, overlapping full‑backs | Central through balls, midfield runners |
| Defensive institution | Compact back line, off‑the‑ball marking | deep block, double‑pivot shielding the defense |
Key tactical moments on Jan 2 2026
- 9′ – Opening goal: New Mexico’s Sofia Delgado delivered a diagonal cross to Mia Torres; the striker’s first‑time finish beat Ava Patel.
- 23′ – Nebraska’s counter: Taylor Miller’s long ball found Emma Larson in the box; a header was saved by Jenna Ruiz, showcasing Nebraska’s direct transition.
- Half‑time adjustment: Nebraska shifted to a 3‑5‑2, adding a defensive midfielder to neutralize New Mexico’s wing overload.
- 67′ – Game‑changer: New Mexico’s midfield trio increased possession to 62 % in the second half, leading to a second goal from a midfield late‑run by Sofia Delgado.
- 84′ – Late equalizer attempt: Nebraska forced a corner; Emma Larson’s header curled just wide, illustrating the impact of set‑piece practice.
Statistical Comparison
- shots on target: NM ODP 12 / NE State 9
- Possession: NM ODP 58 % / NE State 42 %
- Pass accuracy: NM ODP 84 % / NE State 81 %
- Corners: NM ODP 6 / NE State 4
- Fouls: NM ODP 8 / NE State 11
Thes numbers underline New Mexico’s dominance in ball retention and attacking efficiency, while Nebraska’s higher foul count reflects a more physical defensive approach.
Player Development Impact
- College recruiting boost – Following the match, four New Mexico players received additional interest from Power‑Five schools; Nebraska’s Emma Larson added two NCAA Division I offers.
- National team exposure – US Soccer’s scouting staff highlighted Sofia delgado and Taylor Miller for a potential U‑23 camp.
- Professional pathways – Both programs now have a documented pipeline to MLS Next Pro and NWSL academies, improving long‑term athlete prospects.
Practical tips for Youth Soccer Coaches
1. Replicating effective high‑press
- Drill: “5‑v‑5 press & recover” – set up a 30‑yard grid; the attacking team tries to retain possession under a coordinated press.
- Focus: Interaction cues,timing of the second line’s pressure,and quick transition to attack.
2. Transition defense against wing overloads
- drill: “Switch and Cover” – midfielders practice shifting laterally while full‑backs slide to cover channels.
- Emphasize: Maintaining shape, assigning markers to emerging threats.
3. Set‑piece optimization
- Incorporate varied corner routines (near‑post runner, edge‑of‑box flick) to keep opponents guessing, as demonstrated by Nebraska’s late‑corner attempts.
4.Data‑driven coaching
- Use match‑analysis software (e.g., HUDL, Coach’s Eye) to track possession percentages and pass accuracy, mirroring the statistical approach applied in this showdown.
Resources & Further Reading
- US Soccer ODP Overview – Official guidelines and state‑by‑state program structure.
- Nebraska Youth Soccer Association – 2015 Season Review (PDF) – Detailed match reports and player statistics.
- New Mexico Soccer Association – ODP Highlights 2014 (video archive) – Highlights of regional championships and national cup performance.
- Hudl Match Analysis Toolkit – Guides for youth coaches on extracting actionable insights from game footage.
