By FRANCO PANIZO
On the same day that his federation revealed that the scheduled friendly against the U.S. Men’s National Team would be moved to Cyprus, Ukraine head coach Mykhaylo Fomenko revealed his roster for the match.
Veteran midfielders Anatoliy Tymoschuk and Oleh Husyev headline a 26-man Ukraine squad that is loaded with domestic players. Tymoschuk, the team captain and former Bayern Munich midfielder, and uncapped defender Andriy Pylyavskyi are the only two players on the roster that currently ply their trade away from their home nation.
Other notable players on Fomenko’s team include forward Yevhen Seleznyov, goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov and midfielder Andriy Yarmolenko.
In total, seven of the Ukrainians summoned represent Dynamo Kyiv, six play for Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, and five suit up for Shakhtar Donetsk.
The friendly against the Americans, which was moved from Ukraine due to political unrest and violence in the country, is scheduled for March 5 at a venue in Cyprus that has yet to be named.
Here is Ukraine’s complete 26-man roster:
Goalkeepers (3): Andriy Pyatov (Shakhtar Donetsk), Rustam Khudzhamov (Illichivets Mariupol), Denis Boiko (FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk)
Defenders (7): Vyacheslav Shevchuk (Shakhtar Donetsk), Oleksandr Kucher (Shakhtar Donetsk), Yaroslav Rakitskiy (Shakhtar Donetsk), Evgeny Makarenko (Dynamo Kiev), Yevgen Khacheridi (Dynamo Kiev), Artem Fedetsky (FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Andriy Pilavskij (Maccabi Haifa, Israel)
Midfielders (13): Oleg Gusev (Dynamo Kiev), Andriy Yarmolenko (Dynamo Kiev), Roman Bezus (Dynamo Kiev), Denys Garmash (Dynamo Kiev), Sergiy Sydorchuk (Dynamo Kiev), Yevhen Konoplyanka (FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Ruslan Rotan (FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Mykola Morozyuk (Metalurh Donetsk), Taras Stepanenko (Shakhtar Donetsk), Mikhail Galovs′kij (Metalist Kharkiv), Denis Dedechko (FC Vorskla Poltava), Anatoliy Tymoschuk (Zenit Saint-Petersburg), Dmytro Homčenovs′kij (Zorya Lugansk)
Forwards (3): Yevgen Seleznyov (FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Roman Zozulya (FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Marko Devic (Metalist Kharkiv)
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What do you think of Ukraine’s roster? Do you see the Americans facing a stiff test in Cyprus? Which Ukrainian player worries you most?
Share your thoughts below.
Ukraine and USA are very even teams. It should be a good game and a great test for USMNT.
50/50 shot.
Looks like Ukraine may be employing a 3-6-1 for this match.
People and their predictions..crazy. When did all the doom and gloom come about concerning our national team? Is this still stemming from the Austria and Scotland friendlies? People need to relax and have confidence in our side, even if it isn’t full strength, there is still a lot of quality players. Ukraine is good, no doubt, but I still see us coming out on top 2-1 or 3-2 if we play to our ability. If we come out flat and uninterested, which I doubt, we’ll end up losing.
When will the usa roster be announced?
39′ Jozy stretchered off w/ a torn ACL –
44′ Deuce poaches one inside the 6 yard box
Final– 1-0 USA
The breaking news is that the gold-plated soccer boot trophy, which was supposed to be awarded to the winner of this friendly match, was found being used as a toilet paper dispenser in the $500 M mansion that Yanukovych abandoned when he was chased out of Kyiv.
I expect a counter attacking game from the US with a 4-2-3-1 and a attacking 4-4(diamond)-2 in the second half.
I can’t wait for this game, Ukraine will be motivate. I say 3-0 for Ukraine.
No way we are going down 3-0 to them. I say it will be a win for US 3-2
Konoplyanka is a beast. The US will not enjoy this game.
He is. Just saw him destroy Tottenham last week. Dude can dribble
Who is on Ukraine’s A side that will be missing?
most of the stalwarts are there-about a half are newer faces, but the core is mostly the same as Euro 2012 and WCQ: Rotan, Gusev, Tymoschuk, Devic, Konoplyanka and Yarmolenko, Kucher, etc… have been around for a while
Khacheridi is an awful defender who has cost Ukraine in WCQ playoffs versus Greece in 2009 and France in 2013-he’s USMNT best chance at scoring 1-2 goals…
Yes. Sitting right next to President Obama.
I know you’re joking but that joke still made no sense. Just saying.
I think he means Yanokovich has just as much of a chance being there as the President does. 0%.
Will President Yanokovich be at the game?
I’m surprised he’s not playing
Ukraine are very good. Sad to see them not going to Brazil. I predict a 4-1 loss for us.
I predict a 5-3 win for us. And the Cyprus crowd goes wild.
both predictions are insane, but i like the enthusiasm, im going with a 7-7 tie
Does Wondo score?
No but he bicycles an assist to Sacha Kljestan, who also scores with a bicycle
yes, and he has TWO extra W’s in his name this time.
You’re mad. Ukraine is very good, but I think the score line will be closer than that.