We had an incredible experience at this year’s BVBIA North America National Identification Event, where Colorado was proudly represented by eight talented players across four age groups: Bjorn Odman (U15 Boys), Andrew Zimmer (U14 Boys), Josselyn Parent (U13 Girls), Hansel Dieter (U12 Boys), Luke Jenkins (U12 Boys), Jiya Vass (U12 Girls), Jackson Hensch (U11 Boys), and Eli Priebe (U11 Boys).

The National Event kicked off on Thursday, December 11, with an opening ceremony, led by Dru Wright, BVBIA North America’s Chief Football Officer, setting the tone for a weekend focused on development, competition, and opportunity. Several coaches from BVB Dortmund in Germany were also present, bringing their expertise to the identification and evaluation process.

Evaluations began Friday morning, starting with a series of performance metrics designed to measure each player’s speed, agility, and technical ability, both with and without the ball. Players also completed a juggling test, while goalkeepers were evaluated on reaction time using both feet and hands.

The remaining sessions throughout the event were a mix of:

• Technical evaluations, including 1v1 and 2v2 scenarios

• Passing and possession-based games

• Two dedicated scrimmage sessions to assess performance in real match situations

These sessions allowed coaches to observe not only individual skill but also decision-making, teamwork, and adaptability under pressure.

The level of competition was high, with players from affiliates across North America bringing their best to the field. Despite the pressure, our Colorado athletes rose to the challenge and represented the state with grit, focus, and sportsmanship.