Ukrainian Defender Yevhen Cheberko Joins LAFC in MLS Trade

Yevhen Cheberko's Move to Los Angeles FC

According to Главком: Defender Yevhen Cheberko has been traded from Columbus Crew to Los Angeles FC. The deal sends an additional international roster slot for the 2026 season back to Columbus Crew. Cheberko will link up with his new club on July 13, where he will join fellow Ukrainian Artem Smolyakov on the squad.

The Ukrainian center-back had been with Columbus Crew since the summer of 2023 and helped the team win the MLS Cup title in the 2023 season. During his time with Columbus Crew, Cheberko made 94 appearances across all competitions, scoring one goal and providing one assist.

Los Angeles FC currently sits fifth in the MLS Western Conference standings, with 24 points from 15 regular-season matches. Cheberko could make his debut for his new team in the local derby against LA Galaxy on July 18.

Ukraine National Team Friendly

Separately, the Ukraine national team recently lost to Denmark in an abandoned friendly match. The game between Ukraine and Denmark lasted only 65 minutes after Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed on the field.

• Oleksandr Romanchuk made his debut for the Ukraine national team, starting and playing the first half against Poland.
• Hennadiy Synchuk also debuted for the national team, coming off the bench midway through the second half.

For context, Oleksandr Romanchuk and Hennadiy Synchuk have now made their first appearances for the Ukraine national team.

Cheberko's transfer to Los Angeles FC highlights the growing presence of Ukrainian footballers on the international stage and their ability to adapt to new playing environments. This move could strengthen LAFC's position in the Western Conference standings, given the club's current ranking.

Fans will be watching closely for Cheberko's debut in the derby against LA Galaxy, as such matches always generate significant excitement. Meanwhile, the Ukraine national team's recent friendlies show a period of squad rotation and experimentation, which could prove crucial for the team's future international campaigns.

As Yevhen Cheberko prepares to make his mark at Los Angeles FC, the spotlight also shines on the recent debut of two players for the Ukraine national team. Their performances in the friendly against Poland further emphasize the emerging talent within Ukrainian football. To learn more about these promising players and their impact on the national team, visit our detailed coverage on the recent friendly match.