Pictured (l. to r.) Williams, Kuchinski, and Hall.
Three members of Central Arkansas Soccer Club’s 2008 Select Girls team recently accepted invitations to join US Youth Soccer’s Olympic Development Program in Arkansas. The ODP program seeks to identify players of the highest caliber on a continuing and consistent basis, which will lead to increased success for the US National Teams in the international arena.
The Arkansas Soccer Association ODP coaching staff held three tryouts, evaluating players based on physical traits, technical ability, understanding of the game and their attitude. The tryout period ended on January 31, and selections were made on February 20. The 2008 Girls ODP selections include Lydia Hall, Brooklyn Kuchinski and Toni Williams. All three attend Bryant schools.
The trio has played together at Central Arkansas Soccer Club since 2016, including the past three seasons for the CASC ’08 Wildcats, one of the Club’s Classic teams that competes in the Arkansas Competitive Soccer League. The Wildcats, coached by Julie Fluger, went 14-1-4 last fall, winning two out-of-state tournaments. Williams starts at goalkeeper and sees time at striker, while Kuchinski works mostly at striker and midfielder. Hall helps anchor the back line at left center back.
The ODP selections are currently training for a chance to represent Arkansas at two ODP South regional events this summer: The Intra-Regional Scouting and College Combine, June 4-6 in Memphis, Tennessee, and the ODP South Camp, July 9-12 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. For more information on the ODP program, visit arkansassoccer.org/olympic-development-program.
Steve Landers CDJR in Little Rock sponsors Central Arkansas Soccer Club. The Wildcats are individually sponsored by Chr-eyton Electric, Bryant Family Pharmacy, Merchants & Farmers Bank, Lindsey’s Pools & Spas, Mid-Ark Roofing, Summers Welding and CHF Contractors.