NEW YORK – A World Cup held in Russia may help open up some doors for Russian players around the rest of the world. At least as far as the United States is concerned, there have been just four players from present-day Russia who have ever played in MLS.
The most successful Russian player to ever set foot in MLS was ex-Serie A striker Igor Simutenkov, who played for the Kansas City Wizards from 2002 to 2004.
The Moscow-born speedster scored 12 career regular season goals in 49 appearances and helped the club to MLS Cup 2004, where was a halftime sub in a losing effort. Today, the former Russian international is an assistant coach for current Russian champions Zenit St. Petersburg.
The Wizards went after another Russian in 2006, acquiring midfielder Sergei Raad, who attended Furman University but made just one appearance for the club. In 2010 he played for the Central Florida Kraze in the PDL.
After Simutenkov, it was midfielder Rod Dyachenko, born in Giorgievk, who played the most games by a Russian native in league history. The former UNLV player, who moved to the USA with his family as a child, played 42 games for D.C. United from 2006 to 2008. He was a third-round draft pick by DC in 2006 and today plays for the Real Maryland Monarchs.
Right back Maksim Usanov was the most recent Russian player to join an MLS club, signing with Toronto FC in April. The 25-year-old St. Petersburg native had a rough start and played in 14 matches for TFC before being released last week.
Think you know the game? Test your powers of prediction with MLSsoccer.com's new fantasy game,Pro Soccer Picks. Play NOW!
