Boys Development Academy clubs form 16U Atlantic EDP Conference

East Brunswick, NJ (Via EDP Soccer) — As a result of interest from several boys U.S. Soccer Development Academy clubs within the East Conference, 18 boys DA clubs in the US Youth Soccer East Region have gotten together to form the 16U US Youth Soccer National League Atlantic Development Player EDP Conference.

This conference will give these clubs a chance to participate in a competition with parallel scheduling to the DA that will culminate with a playoff and a chance to participate in the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series.

The following U.S. Soccer Development Academy clubs have committed to playing in this conference for 2018-19:

• Arlington Soccer Association (VA)
• Baltimore Armour (MD)
• Beachside Soccer Club (CT)
• Bethesda Soccer Club (MD)
• BW Gottschee (NYE)
• Cedar Stars Academy – Bergen (NJ)
• Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth (NJ)
• DC United Academy (MD)
• FC Westchester (NYE)
• Loudoun Soccer Club (VA)
• Metropolitan Oval Academy (NYE)
• New York Soccer Club (NYE)
• Oakwood SC (CT)
• PA Classics (PAE)
• Philadelphia Union (PAE)
• ​​​​​​​Richmond United (VA)
• Seacoast United (NH)
• ​​​​​​​Virginia Development Academy (VA)

The 16U US Youth Soccer National League Atlantic Development Player EDP Conference — for players born in 2003 — will be part of the US Youth Soccer National Leagues program, which is launching nationwide in the 2018-19 soccer season. Teams in this conference will now have the opportunity to advance within the National Championship Series through league play.

The 16U Boys team that wins the 2018-19 league season will advance to a playoff against other top tier champions of fellow National League EDP Conferences. The winner of this playoff will advance to participate in the Eastern Regional Championships and have the opportunity to win their way to the prestigious US Youth Soccer National Championships.

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In addition to Atlantic Development Player EDP Conference play, as an added value to participation in the conferences of the US Youth Soccer National Leagues program, participating teams/clubs will be invited to compete in US Youth Soccer Showcase events that are to be scheduled in 2018-19 and beyond.

“This is a terrific opportunity for many of our 2003 players who won’t be making the jump to the 17U DA age group for the 2018-19 season, but will be able to continue to play in this ‘gap year’ against virtually all the Development Academy clubs in the East Region,” said George Gjokaj, Director of Soccer Operations for FC Westchester.

“Oakwood SC is looking forward to the competition in US Youth Soccer National League Atlantic Development Player EDP Conference this fall,” said Rick Derella, Director of Coaching for Oakwood SC. “We’re excited for our teams to play in an environment that will mirror the game model found in the current U.S. Soccer Development Academy.”