195 Teams Competed over Memorial Day Weekend in the Ukrainian Nationals Youth Soccer Tournament

By Eugene A. Luciw

Horsham, Pa. – Over the Memorial Day weekend, The Ukrainian American Sport Center – “Tryzub”, hosted its Fifteenth Annual Ukrainian Nationals Soccer Tournament. Youth teams from throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and five other Mid-Atlantic States entered the competition along with teams from the Toronto-based Ukrainian Soccer Club, “Karpaty”.

Tournament play in age brackets, from Under-8 through Under-19 boys and Under-8 through Under-18 girls,  progressed over the weekend on not only the Ukrainian Nationals’ six home fields at “Tryzubivka”, but also on many more pitches in the area.

Finalists: Ukrainian Nationals Zoriany Black (U-10). Photo by Greg and Nancy Dries

The competition began on Friday night under the lights of two Tryzubivka fields, progressed throughout the day on Saturday and culminated in a long sequence of Sunday. “finals”, all of which took place on Tryzub’s home fields.

The weather was simply brilliant, with a challenging heat, throughout most of the weekend.

Finalists: Ukrainian Nationals Zirka White (U-12). Photo by Greg and Nancy Dries.

A soccer Mom’s and Dad’s appreciation night featuring a popular traditional Rock Band, Fake Uncle Jack, also highlighted the event.  Hundreds of parents and competitors gathered in the Ukrainian American Sport Center’s clubhouse and lighted festival grove and pavilions. The evening culminated in a special salute and ceremony honoring America’s fallen heroes.

As a further tribute to America’s War Veterans, to all of those who paid a price for our freedom, Tryzub lined its driveway with a sequence of historical US flags, from the original 13 star version to the current standard. A generous donation was made to the Travis Manion Foundation, which supports thousands of our veterans and their families. Dedicated to sharing the stories and carrying on the legacies of our Fallen Heroes, “The Travis Manion Foundation honors the fallen by challenging the living: We assist our nation’s veterans and service members, and support families of fallen heroes” (http://www.travismanion.org/).

Champions: Ukrainian Nationals Chornomorets Red (U-15). Photo by Victoria Buynevich

UASC Tryzub presented the champions and finalists with trophies depicting the Ukrainian Tryzub against the protective background of the American flag. The awards ceremony emphasized the dedication of the tournament to the memory of all of those who established, defended and protect America’s freedom. Parallel mention was also made of the Ukrainian peoples’ ongoing struggle for freedom and human dignity.

All of these messages were extremely well received by the many hundreds of players and their families and friends. 

The tournament results are as follows: