Third Annual
Pierce Slutzky Memorial Thanksgiving Cup

Schedules: Schedules will be provided the week of the event.  The window of play is generally from 9am to 5pm on the day of the event.  All games will be played on one of the two turf fields located at Schreiber High School in Port Washington, NY.

We organize brackets such that most or all teams will play all three games either at the top of the hour or at 30 minutes past each hour (with a 30 minute break between each game), and should complete all games in a 2 1/2 hour window at the field.  All schedules will be loaded into the LeagueApps platform we are using for the registration of this event, and all coaches and players will have access to the schedules on the app.

The format of the event for our U7-U10 players and teams will be generally as follows, with modifications as deemed appropriate or necessary (see below for printable images and suggested formation):

• The PWSC will form brackets from registered teams.  Teams may only have players from the same club, no multi-club teams will be permitted.
• Games will be played as 4v4 format, with 5'x3' goals, and no goalie.  This is the prescribed format from US Soccer for these ages, and this small-sided format ensures the most touches on the ball for each player.
• Each team will play in 3 games, and each match will be 24 minutes (two 12 minute halves, with a 2 minute halftime.  If games do not start at the sound of the horn, the game will be shortened, as no game can go past the designated time slot.  Each game slot is 30 minutes, and each team will have a 30 minute break between each game (see schedule above).  Players should be at the designated small-sided field ready to start playing at least 5 minutes prior to the scheduled start time, to ensure complete games.
• Size 3 (U7/U8) or size 4 (U9/U10) balls will be provided and used for all games.
• Substitutions are unlimited and may be done at any time, without stoppage of play.
• Kick offs, free kicks, throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks are used to start or restart play (Kick-ins and/or dribble-ins are also acceptable).  The goal is not to slow down the game, so formalities of restarts will be balanced with game flow, realizing many players may not yet understand the technicalities of restarts.
•  Goal kicks and corner kicks should be taken in the general vicinity of the respective goal or corner. 
• All free kicks are indirect (which means another player must touch the ball before it enters the goal).
• Opponents should be at least 10 feet away from the ball on all restarts.
• No penalty kicks.  Infractions near a goal will result in an indirect kick from outside the immediate goal area. 
• No goalies or use of hands.
• No offside.
• Scores will be kept during each game by staff at each field (recorded with no more than a 5-goal differential).  This is for FUN, and the players should not feel ANY pressure regarding winning.  We just want them to compete and be relaxed.
• Games will be refereed by high school and college volunteers.  
• Parents may watch from the sides of the field or the bleachers (at Whitney Turf) during games, but only one or two coaches may be on the players’ sidelines for each team.  Any parents who become disruptive will be asked to leave the playing area (although their player may continue to play).

Teams should wear matching uniforms or shirts, preferably with an alternate color (or pinnies) in the event of color conflicts.  Numbers are not required.  Players are welcome (and encouraged) to wear multiple thinner layers under their uniforms as well as hats/gloves if appropriate.  We held the events in 2023 and 2024 on sunny days with temperatures in the low 40’s, and many players were actually comfortable without much more than shorts and t-shirts.  We want them to be comfortable, but also agile enough to compete.  Players can wear the same cleats on the turf that they wear on the grass fields, or regular sneakers are also allowed.  All players should wear shin guards.

The Port Washington Soccer Club has teamed up with
NYCFC to inspire greatness.

How it works:

• All tournament teams will receive the opportunity to unlock a post-match meet and greet with the purchase of 20+ tickets.
• Tickets can be purchased at $40 per ticket.
• NYCFC representatives will contact your designated team manager to coordinate your outing and reserve matchday experiences.
• All championship teams will receive a congratulations message on the video board at halftime of the NYCFC 2026 home opener.

Additional Benefits:

• All participating teams will be entered into a raffle for the prizes listed below:
  • 4 Delta Sky 360 Suite Tickets
  • NYCFC Autographed Item

The PWSC owns two Veo 3 cameras, which will be situated at Fields 6 and 12 for the event, and will be livestreaming for most or all of the event (until batteries run out!).  If your team is scheduled to play on one of those fields, you'll be able to view and/or share the livestream with families through the club's Veo Live link (this link only works on mobile devices, and requires downloading the Veo Live app and creating a Veo account to view): https://veolive.page.link/cvSo.

The restrooms and cafeteria inside Schreiber High School (both near main entrance) will be available to Thanksgiving Cup participants.  See the location map near the bottom of the page for exact location.

We will also have some food and coffee trucks at the event, stationed in the narrow lot along Campus Drive, next to the Whitney turf field welcome tent.

Eligibility: U7-U10 (Birth Years 2019-2016) boys and girls players from any ENYYSA member clubs, so long as the players are either (i) carded for travel soccer or (ii) registered for insurance with an ENYYSA member league (e.g., LIJSL, CJSL, etc.) – we will require confirmation from participating clubs that all players satisfy one of these two requirements.  All teams will need to upload medical release forms for each rostered player.  Players may only be rostered to one team.

The entry fee for each team is $250 registering by October 31, 2025.  After October 31, 2025, the registration fee will be $275 per team.  Clubs registering 6 or more teams will receive a $25 discount per team (all teams will pay the regular fee upfront, with refunds/adjustments once team counts are finalized).  When registering, you must pay in full to finalize your application.  Registration fees are non-refundable once paid, unless the PWSC determines that it cannot place a team into a full bracket.

For ENYYSA member clubs, please use the link below to register your teams.  If you are not an ENYYSA sanctioned club that participates in and insures players through an ENYYSA league (e.g., LIJSL, CJSL, EDP), we cannot accept your team into the event.  We cannot accept randomly-formed groups of players not associated with an ENYYSA-sanctioned club or program.

Either a club coach or director should be the registrant, and may register multiple teams, either separately or all at once.   ENYYSA club affiliation required, as this is a restricted event.

You may enter teams with or without rosters during registration, and may manage and modify team rosters after registration, in the LeagueApps system we are using for this event.  Additional coaches and staff members may also be added to your teams after registration.

Please visit https://pwsctc.leagueapps.com/app/tournaments/4767033 to register your team today!

Existing PWSC Players should be on the lookout for emails advising how to register for the event.  Individual PWSC players and PWSC should not register using the non-PWSC team registration link above.

Team Acceptance: The PWSC reserves the right to accept or reject any application in its sole discretion.  Any rejected applications will be fully refunded.

Inclement Weather Refund Policy: Should the tournament be canceled in its entirety due to weather conditions, teams will receive an 80% refund of their registration fee.  Tournament officials will make any such determinations of cancellations in their sole and exclusive discretion.

The PWSC is a volunteer-run nonprofit organization.  Our dedicated volunteers make it possible for 1300+ kids in the community to participate in soccer each year.  If you are interested in volunteering for this event (setup, coordination, refereeing matches, etc.) please reach out to the club at information@portsoccerclub.com.