Local goalkeeper returns to Olympic Development Regional
Camp
SAN JOSE — Maggie Cropp hopes her third trip to the Olympic Development Program’s Regional Camp comes with a charm – a chance to make the U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Soccer Team.
That will be Cropp’s only mission this week, as the starting goalkeeper for De Anza Force and Sobrato High School returns to Moscow, Idaho, for a weeklong exhibition at the University of Idaho. Cropp, 16, and her team of Northern California all-stars — all born in 1994 — will compete against the best from neighboring states, hoping to earn invitations to the National Camp held in mid-July.
From there, they will try to make the U17 squad.
“My dream has always been to play for the national team,” said Cropp, who leaves at 9 a.m. today. “It’s a long process to get this far, so you definitely feel special going.
“It’s fun because a lot of scouts and coaches come to our games. They can watch you when you’re good.”
The opportunity is a year in the making. To be invited to Regionals, players first have to try out for their district and state all-star teams; California counts as two states.
“It’s taken about a year and three months to get here. I feel like I’ve tried out for a million different teams,” Cropp said.
Cropp earned her previous trips to Regional Camp came while plying for FC Portland in Beaverton, Ore. After moving to Silicon Valley, she missed the cut for Regionals by two roster spots in 2009.
“The goalie for the national team was in our group,” Cropp said. “I beat her out this year.”
Though she is excited for this week, Cropp is intensely focused on advancing to the next level. The National Camp invites will be announced Sunday.
“Maggie is a hard worker,” said Cropp’s personal trainer, Dave Salzwedel, a former goalkeeper for the San Jose Clash. “The only thing holding her back is her size, but Maggie still holds her own against goalies that are 6-foot or taller. She’s determined.”
Salzwedel, now the athletic director at Oakwood Country School in Morgan Hill, faced similar challenges during his playing career, which ended in 1997. As an undersized goalie, Salzwedel had to play with an acute sense of anticipation — a strength he has passed down to his subject.
“Maggie’s learned to read the field differently. She knows what to look for in her shooters,” Salzwedel said.
Cropp, a 5-foot-7 junior, posted a goal-acceptance average of 1.15 last winter while earning first-team all-league honors with 10 shutouts and 183 saves.
As a side project, Cropp is building up toward her next goal: playing at the Division I college level. She has spoken with representatives from several programs, including Pepperdine and Hawaii.
“She can definitely go D1,” Salzwedel said. “I’ve seen a bunch of her games. She has all the physical parts to succeed.”
