EDP Soccer and the New England Club Soccer League (NECSL) are presenting showcase opportunities for boys and girls teams, ages Under-16 to U-19 at Fore Kicks, Taunton, Mass. on Dec. 5-6.

EDP Soccer, which manages the New England Conference of the US Youth Soccer National League, will present the EDP Soccer 2020 Showcase. There will be six slots per age/gender for teams playing in the New England Conference as well as other US Youth Soccer National League Conferences.

The recently launched NECSL, serving youth soccer clubs and their players and teams throughout New England, will present the NECSL Winter Showcase. There will be four slots available for teams from the NECSL top flight.

At the heart of recent discussions between league and tournament directors from EDP Soccer and the NECSL has been the importance of collaboration, minimizing travel and maximizing exposure for a wider range of players and teams throughout New England.

“Navigating the restrictions associated with COVID-19, we anticipate teams will want additional opportunities to play and showcase themselves,” executive director of leagues for EDP Soccer Jen Marcella said in a statement. With that in mind, an end of the Fall 2020 season event makes sense. As a group, we have enjoyed many proactive conversations about the upcoming soccer calendar. Sean Carey, who provides administration services for the New England Conference and founded NECSL, proposed the idea for a dual event that includes showcase opportunities for players in both the New England Conference and NECSL on the same weekend at the same facility.”

Carey added: “Establishing cooperative relationships to better serve youth players is a strength of both EDP Soccer and The New England Club Soccer League. NECSL clubs and teams are proud members of the US Youth Soccer developmental pathway. The most competitive of these clubs and teams aspire to earn their way into the New England Conference managed by EDP. What better way to show the full developmental pathway in action than to have these two events running simultaneously?”

Executive director of events and facilities at EDP Soccer Don Rawson is already planning for the December showcases.

“I am extremely impressed with the Fore Kicks facility. In addition to the quality playing surfaces and plenty of parking, there are great amenities for the teams and their families. We are looking forward to having the two events going side by side. I expect there will be some families with players in both events. This will mean great shared experiences and smiles all around. That’s our goal!”

Registration details for EDP Soccer 2020 Showcase will be posted by July 31 on the EDP Soccer Tournament website at https://www.edpsoccer.com/tournaments.

Registration details for the NECSL Winter Showcase will be posted by July 31 on the NECSL website at www.thenecsl.com.

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.