EDP Soccer
Overview
Eastern Development Program (EDP). Founded in 1999 by Steve Shilling. The largest youth soccer league and tournament operator in the United States. Acquired by 3STEP Sports in December 2023 (HIGH), making 3STEP the largest owner-operator of youth soccer leagues in the U.S.
Annually serves 130,000+ youth soccer players ages 5-22 and 170,000+ tournament participants across 5,500+ teams. Operates 25+ tournaments per year. Geographic footprint spans New England, Mid-Atlantic, Ohio, Florida, and Eastern Canada, with New Jersey as the epicenter.
Portfolio
Leagues
- EDP League — 11U-19U Boys & Girls, Premier Divisions. Core competitive league for 100+ NJ clubs.
- U20/U23 Men’s and Women’s Leagues — Post-youth competitive pathway
- EDP Futures — Ages 7-11, developmental program
- US Youth Soccer National League Conferences — EDP manages multiple conferences
Tournaments
- 25+ tournaments annually, primarily in the Northeast
- College showcases integrated via “Pathway to College” programming
- Festivals for younger age groups
Services
- College recruiting and placement services (70% of EDP players compete at collegiate level)
- Referee operations (via 3STEP’s US Officials acquisition)
- stay-to-play hotel booking (via Team Travel Source/TTS)
Business Model
League fees + tournament entry fees + stay-to-play commissions + sponsorship. Now integrated into the 3STEP Sports multi-sport platform.
League Fee Structure (2025-26):
| Division | Fee/Team |
|---|---|
| 11U-15U Full Year | $950 |
| 15U-19U Spring | $725 |
| Mini-Fall 15U-19U | $275 |
| Late application surcharge | $100 |
Strengths
- Near-monopoly on competitive league infrastructure in NJ/Mid-Atlantic — 100+ clubs depend on EDP
- Scale: 130K+ players, 5,500+ teams — network effects make it hard for competing leagues to emerge
- Vertical integration under 3STEP: league + tournaments + referees + MLS NEXT tier
- College placement pipeline drives premium family demand
- Strategic partnership with United Soccer Coaches adds institutional credibility
Weaknesses
- Now a subsidiary of a multi-sport platform — soccer may receive diluted strategic attention
- 3STEP sale process creates uncertainty about EDP’s future ownership and direction
- Dual role tension: EDP is both the infrastructure clubs depend on AND a competitor (via 3STEP’s owned clubs)
- Geographic concentration in Northeast — limited penetration in Southeast, Midwest, West
Key People
- Steve Shilling — Founder and President. 25+ years in NJ youth soccer.
- Bohdan Porytko — Programming Director. Also serves as CJYSA President, NJYS board, US Adult Soccer board.
- John Tait — Regional Manager (NY/New England)
Financials
Terms of the 3STEP acquisition were not disclosed. EDP’s standalone revenue is not publicly available, but with 130K+ players and 25+ tournaments, estimated annual revenue is in the $15M-$30M range (LOW — estimate based on fee structures).
Strategic Notes
EDP represents the infrastructure layer of Northeast youth soccer. Key observations:
- Infrastructure dependency: Any club operating in NJ, PA, MD, or New England will almost certainly need to participate in EDP leagues. This makes EDP/3STEP both a partner and a potential gatekeeper for the region.
- Valuation benchmark: The EDP acquisition by 3STEP demonstrates the premium the market places on league/tournament operators with large player bases.
- Competitive risk: If 3STEP’s new owner post-sale decides to vertically integrate more aggressively (acquiring clubs that play in EDP), it could create tension with independent clubs in the Northeast.
- Alternative infrastructure: Clubs seeking to reduce EDP dependency have limited options — ECNL and MLS NEXT direct participation are the primary alternatives at the elite level.