U.A.S.C. TRYZUB FEATURES A LEGACY UKRAINIAN NATIONALS SOCCER AND SPORTS PROGRAMMING

First fielded in 1950, “Tryzub’s” amateur soccer team rapidly became the premier professional soccer franchise in the United States.  In 1959, the club acquired the American Soccer League’s Philadelphia Nationals, aptly renamed it the Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals and proceeded to win the U.S. Open Cup Championship the very following year.  No one will ever forget the fever-pitched deafening thunder of the Ukrainian American community’s cheers as “Nasha Druzhyna” (“Our Team”) reached the heights of success.  Some highlights include:

• 1956 -  U.S. Amateur Cup Final in St. Louis, Missouri
• 1960’s – Six American Soccer League Professional Championships
• 1960,61,63, and 66 – Four U.S. Open Cup Professional Championships
• 1960’s –  Five U.S. Open Cup Finals

Tryzub’s was the first soccer team in the United States to have home games televised and played in the first indoor regulation soccer game in Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey.  Soccer teams from around the world visited Philadelphia to play “Our Team”: Manchester United, England; Dundee, Scotland; Stuttgart, West Germany and many others.  In 1967, the Ukrainian Nationals represented the United States in international competition before 102,000 fans in El Salvador.

1958-1959 Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals tea – their inaugural year

The ultimately failed entry of the North American Soccer League into professional sports ended the financial viability of the American Soccer League and its teams. After a few additional professional years and one championship in the highly competitive German American League of New York, Tryzub focused its efforts on amateur soccer and the development of youth and adult amateur sports programs.

1966 Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals – the last Philly team to capture the US Open Cup
Click for 1966-67 US Open Cup Championship Game Program

In 1983, the club purchased 38 acres of farmland in Horsham, Pennsylvania and transformed them into a premier amateur soccer venue with Class A fields, lighting, a clubhouse, banquet room, and festival and picnic pavilions, stage and grove.  Thirty-one youth teams, boys’ and girls’, in age brackets between “Under 8” and “Under 19” years of age, play under the Ukrainian Nationals’ flag.  Most of these teams play at the top of their divisions and attain and play very successfully in championship, tournament and cup play. An exceptionally dedicated crew of coaches and parents and a consistently creative and dynamic leadership have made “Our Club” a most desirable place for children, juniors and adults to play soccer and to sharpen their skills. 

Dr. Ivan Pavlichka

The annual Ukrainian Nationals Invitational Tournament, held over Memorial Day weekend, has been a resounding success, now attracting over 200 teams to Tryzub’s fields.  Teams from throughout the United States participate in this tournament, which also has experienced visits from Canadian and Bermudan teams. The 13th annual Memorial Day Weekend tournament is planned for this year.

In 2011, the Ukrainian Nationals launched a very successful Columbus Cup soccer tournament. Well over 100 girls' soccer teams enter the fields of play over Columbus Weekend. A significant portion of the proceeds from this tournament is annually donated to the fight against breast cancer.

1963 Ukrainian nationals team (finalists for the Cup)

In 1988, 1996, 2000 and 2008, Tryzub held four memorable Ukrainian Olympiads and youth jamborees, to which thousand of athletes and fans gathered to see the best in Ukrainian sports and cultural programming.  The year 2013 also held witness to the 37th annual golf tournament and yet another series of high-caliber soccer camps.

The Ukrainian Nationals also sponsor a very unique Soccer Academy that offers tailored professional caliber training to the youngest (ages 5-10) future stars. Specifically the Academy:

• provides expert training organized by qualified licensed instructors
• creates thematic games and fun exercises that challenge and inspire
• develops motor skills, promotes physical fitness and creates "self awareness" in a team environment
• teaches fundamentals and imparts love for the game
• introduces players and their families to a real soccer club environment
• provides a means for entry into a competitive travel soccer program

The US Open Cup at home in Philly with the Nats

Several years ago the club constructed a fully-lighted artificial turt field. Two additional "pitches" also offer lights for evening training and play.

Currently, plans are underway to construct a fully lighted full-sized artificial turf field. Many other renovations to the landscape are underway as well.

But, the pride of Tryzub still rests on the shoulders of its Majors Division soccer team, the Ukrainian Nationals, currently coached and managed by Petro Boretsky and Peter Chareczko. 

Equally successful Ladies Majors, Mens Reserve Majors, and Majors over 30 teams round out Tryzub's adult soccer program.

The Ukrainian Nationals in action

In 2011, Tryzub organized a youth and adult archery team that regularly and very successfully competes in PA, NJ, Mid-Atlantic, Eastern US, Keystone State Games and State Games of America tournaments. It also participates in various club tournaments, 3-D archery and archery golf shoots. The Tryzub archers train and participate in league competition at the Bucks county Fish & Game society.

The Ukrainian Nationals invite you and your families to participate in our programs and to attend the games. Cheer “Our Team” with the pride and enthusiasm of old.  Your presence as “The Twelfth Man” in the stands will no doubt again push “Our Team” to recapture the championship for our community.

For more information on Ukrainian Nationals soccer, just click on “soccer”. Explore the rest of the Tryzub website s well. Join us for our cultural programs such as the annual Father’s Day picnic and the highly popular Ukrainian Folk Festival.