EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. –Three elite clubs from the US Youth Soccer East Region – STA Morris/United of New Jersey, SUSA FC of New York and FC Virginia of Virginia — Friday announced they have committed to play in the new US Youth Soccer National League EDP Conferences in 2018-19.

EDP, one of the country’s largest leagues with more than 3,500 teams located on the east coast of the United States, announced last month that it had entered into a long-term agreement with US Youth Soccer to manage four National League conferences in the East Region starting in 2018-19 – the US Youth Soccer National League New England EDP Conference; the US Youth Soccer National League North Atlantic EDP Conference; the US Youth Soccer National League Mid Atlantic EDP Conference; and the US Youth Soccer National League South Atlantic EDP Conference.

Beginning this fall, these US Youth Soccer National League EDP Conferences will provide local/regional regular season league play, cup competition and regional/national showcase events, with top teams advancing directly into the US Youth Soccer National League and the Regional Championships in the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series. Club v. club and team v. team models will both be offered in the US Youth Soccer National League EDP Conferences.

STA/Morris United, SUSA FC, and FC Virginia are amongst the latest clubs to commit to the program. To see other committed clubs, visit edpsoccer.com/usyouthsoccer.

“We are looking forward to being a part of the US Youth Soccer National League EDP Conferences,” said Bobby Puppione, Girls DA Technical Director at FC Virginia. “This league will provide meaningful competition, showcase opportunities, and a quality platform for development for our teams at FC Virginia.”

“We are delighted to have STA/Morris United, SUSA FC, and FC Virginia commit to the US Youth Soccer National League EDP Conferences,” said EDP CEO Alan Shilling. “These are successful and well-respected organizations that will fit nicely with our existing members.”

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.