This past weekend saw one of Legacy’s own, Nicky Babanikas, participate in the US Youth Soccer, Olympic Development Program, Interregional tournament in Orlando, Florida.

Each U.S. region has selected its top players at each age group to attend and compete in the interregional games in Florida. Regional teams played against each other while Regional Staff and the ODP Scouting Network evaluated these athletes throughout.  A selection of top players from this event will be invited to attend the USYS National ODP Training Camp, being held at the Tournament Sportsplex in Tampa Bay, FL in January 2022.

Nicky was selected to represent the East Region as one of the top 18 players identified from the region that stretches Maine to Virginia. The East Region team played the Midwest Region, the West Region and the South Region coming home with two ties and a loss to cap off a fantastic weekend of exposure for these young men. 

Here is what Nicky had to say about this stage in his soccer journey, “Participating in the US Youth Soccer ODP event has been the highlight of my soccer experience so far. I worked very hard to be the best I could be, and feel lucky to have made it there. I trained and played with players that have my same drive and commitment to the game. Training with them made me realize that I can be even better. I’m going to try very hard to make it back there next year. I know I have my work cut out for me, since out of the whole East Region they will only choose 18 players. I will try my hardest to get back there for sure.”

Nicky has been with Legacy Soccer Club since the start and has developed into a talented young soccer player. We are very proud to have our players representing Legacy in these teams and participating against some of the best the country has to offer. We hope this will encourage more players to continue working hard to get the opportunity to attend these types of events in the future.

Well done Nicky!