Becker soccer player Asher Olson was recently informed he was selected to participate on the US Youth Soccer 2008 (birth year) National Select Team, which will be competing this summer in Italy.

Olson is the only Minnesotan to qualify for inclusion at any age level of the ODP, or Olympic Development Program.

While the primary focus of the team is to enhance soccer skills and develop players for future olympics competition, there is also an educational component.

The process to qualify for the team was a long one, as Olson first tried out last spring, made the starting 11 for his home state, then participated in a regional game where the Minnesota team had a strong showing in Ohio.

From there, he was then one of four Minnesota players invited to train in Rockford, Illinois, where he made the Midwest regional team. 

Two weeks ago, that team competed in Florida and Asher was then called up to the National team level. 

Asher is now looking forward to preparing for the summer trip to Italy, where he will take on some of the top competition from that country.

To help offset the considerable expense of participating on the team, Asher’s family has set up a GoFundMe account which can be found on that platform under this title: Support Asher’s Soccer Journey: ODP National Team to Italy.