Soccer Nostalgia: February 24, 1990-USA 1-USSR 3

Date: February 24, 1990

Competition: Friendly

Result: USA 1-USSR 3

Venue: Palo Alto, Stanford Stadium, California

Attendance: 61,000

Referee: Vincent Mauro (USA)

Linesmen: Angelo Bratsis and Alfred Kleinaitis (both USA)

Kick-off time:

Goalscorers:

(USA): John Harkes 41 pen

(USSR): Vladimir Bessonov 29, Fyodor Cherenkov 45. Oleg Protasov 68

Summary of goals:

0:1 (29th minute, USSR): from the middle, Kuznetsov passed to Cherenkov, who dummied and let the ball pass through before laying it for the onrushing Bessonov on the right with a low shot.
1:1 (41st minute, USA): USA were awarded a penalty kick after Oleg Luzhny fouled Peter Vermes in the box. John Harkes scored from the ensuing penalty kick.
1:2 (45th minute, USSR): Bessonov’s free kick deflected off the wall and Cherenkov scored from the rebound from just outside of box with a low shot.
1: (68th minute, USSR): from a cross into the box, led to a scramble on the right side, Doyle blocked Zigmantovich’s attempt who then passed across to the unmarked Protasov to score.

Lineups:

USA:

1-Tony Meola (United States Soccer Federation) [11 / 0]
5-Mike Windischmann (United States Soccer Federation) [33 / 0]
3-John Doyle (United States Soccer Federation) [14 / 1]
15-Desmond Armstrong (United States Soccer Federation) [7 / 0] (2-Steve Trittschuh (United States Soccer Federation) [18 / 1] 52)
4-Jimmy Banks (United States Soccer Federation) [19 / 0] (20-Paul Caligiuri (Free agent) [25 / 2] 55)
14-John Stollmeyer (United States Soccer Federation) [19 / 0]
6-John Harkes (United States Soccer Federation) [23 / 2]
7-Tab Ramos (United States Soccer Federation) [15 / 2]
16-Bruce Murray (United States Soccer Federation) [30 / 3] (12-Paul Krumpe (United States Soccer Federation) [11 / 1] 78)
13-Eric Wynalda (United States Soccer Federation) [4 / 1] (9-Eric Eichmann (United States Soccer Federation) [19 / 3] 74)
10-Peter Vermes (Football Club Volendam / Holland) [15 / 0]

Coach: Bob Gansler
Booked: John Doyle

Team Captain: Mike Windischmann
Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas
Uniform Colors: Navy Blue Shirts, Navy Blue Shorts, Navy Blue Socks

Note:

1-Paul Caligiuri still had not signed a contract with the United States Soccer Federation.

2-The number of caps for the American squad may not be accurate as some matches’ status may be disputed.

Photo From: Soccer International, Issue 4, April 1990

(USA squad, February 24, 1990, USA 1-USSR 3)

USSR:

1-Viktor Viktorovich Chanov (Dinamo Kiev) [20 / 0]
2-Vladimir Vassilievich Bessonov (Dinamo Kiev) [76 / 4]
3-Oleg Vladimirovich Kuznetsov (Dinamo Kiev) [46 / 0]
4-Andrei Vikentiyevich Zygmantovich (Dinamo Minsk) [31 / 2] (14-Vadim Nikolaevich Tishchenko (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk) [5 / 0] 74)
5-Oleg Romanovich Luzhny (Dinamo Kiev) [8 / 0]
6-Vasili Karlovich Rats (Dinamo Kiev) [44 / 4]
7-Ahrik Sokratovich Tsveiba (Dinamo Kiev) [2 / 0]
8-Ivan Ivanovich Yaremchuk (Dinamo Kiev) [15 / 2]
9-Fyodor Fedorovich Cherenkov (Spartak Moskva) [31 / 12]
10-Igor Vladimirovich Kolyvanov (Dinamo Moskva) [4 / 0] (15-Oleg Valeriyevich Protasov (Dinamo Kiev) [58 / 26] 46)
11-Sergei Yuriyevich Rodionov (Spartak Moskva) [36 / 8] (12-Vladimir Iosifovich Tatarchuk (Futbol'nyj Klub CSKA (Central'nyy Sportivnyy Klub Armii) Moskva) [4 / 0] 77)

Coach: Valeri Vasilevich Lobanovsky
Booked: Andrei Zygmantovich 18 (foul on Wynalda), Vladimir Bessonov, Victor Chanov 42 (protesting the penalty kick decision)

Team Captain: Oleg Vladimirovich Kuznetsov
Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Score (Officially Adidas were the kit manufacturers for the Soviet Union but for this match they wore kit manufactured by Score)
Uniform Colors: White (with red CCCP emblazoned across) Shirts, White Shorts, White Socks

Photo From: Soccer International, Issue 4, April 1990

(USSR squad, February 24, 1990, USA 1-USSR 3)

Notes:

-Match number 173 for USA and number 346 for USSR (note per RSSSF match 369 for USSR).

-This was the 3rd meeting between the nations.

This was the first ever Official match between the nations. The two previous encounters between the Nations in 1979 were considered unofficial for the Soviets.
Both of those matches took place on American soil:
February 3, 1979 (Seattle, Washington) USA 1-USSR 3
February 11, 1979 (San Francisco, California-Candlestick Park) USA 1-USSR 4

-This was a preparatory friendly ahead of the 1990 World Cup that both Nations had qualified. This was the first time USA had qualified for the World Cup in 40 years (last time was 1950).

Photo From: Soccer International, Issue 4, April 1990

(The teams prior to kickoff, February 24, 1990, USA 1-USSR 3)

Photo From: Soccer International, Issue 4, April 1990

(The aerial view prior to kickoff, February 24, 1990, USA 1-USSR 3)

-This match took place a few months after the Fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of Communism in the Eastern European Nations.

It also took place around the time of ‘Glasnost’ and ‘Perestroika’ in the Soviet Union, as a result there was a positive atmosphere around this match, devoid of the usual political tensions.

Nevertheless there were some political overtones around this match and was dubbed as ‘Super Soccer Summit’.

Photo From: Soccer International, Issue 4, April 1990

(Magazine cover, February 24, 1990, USA 1-USSR 3)

Photo From: Soccer America, Volume 38, Number 9, Issue 950, March 8, 1990

(Magazine cover, February 24, 1990, USA 1-USSR 3)

Photo From: Soccer America, Volume 38, Number 10, Issue 951, March 15, 1990

(Magazine cover, February 24, 1990, USA 1-USSR 3)

Photo From: Soccer America, Volume 38, Number 16, Issue 957, April 26, 1990

(Paul Caligiuri and Andrei Zigamantovich , Magazine cover, February 24, 1990, USA 1-USSR 3)

-The Soviet Union were on Tour with an under-strength side missing the majority of their regulars.

Gennadi Litovchenko (Dinamo Kiev) was part of the Touring squad but missed this match.
Stars such as Alexei Mikhalichenko and Igor Dobrovolsky were omitted due to injuries.
Others missing included players such as: Goalkeeper and captain Rinat Dassayev (Sevilla / Spain), Anatoli Demianenko (Dinamo Kiev), Sergei Aleinikov and Alexander Zavarov (both Juventus / Italy), Sergei Gorlukovich (Borussia Dortmund / West Germany), Vagiz Khidiatullin (Toulouse / France), Pavel Yakovenko (Dinamo Kiev), Vladimir Ljuty (Schalke / West Germany), Aleksandr Borodyuk (Schalke / West Germany) and Igor Belanov (Borussia Mönchengladbach / West Germany)

-During this month, USSR played a number of matches on Tour.

February 7, 1990-Turin-Torino (Italy) 1-USSR 2 (Roberto Policano 26 / Alexei Mikhailichenko 5, Gennadi Litovchenko 18)
February 15, 1990-Milan-Internazionale Milano (Italy) 1-USSR 0
February 20, 1990-Marlboro Cup (Los Angeles)-Colombia 0-USSR 0 (penalty kick shoot-out 4-2)
February 22, 1990-Marlboro Cup (Los Angeles)-Costa Rica 1-USSR 2 (Juan Cayasso 35 / Gennadi Litovchenko 68, Fyodor Cherenkov 76)
This match vs. USA was their third match in 5 days.

-There was no Professional League in the United States at the time. As a result the players signed contracts with the US Soccer Federation.

Paul Caligiuri was defiant and had not signed a US Soccer Federation contract. He would shortly thereafter sign the contact.

-Peter Vermes was the only foreign based player for USA that day. He was playing for Dutch side FC Volendam.

In the week following this match, Vermes was offered a contract extension of two years from Volendam (his contract was to expire on July 1^st).

He arrived in California on February 19^th, after having played a Dutch League match with Volendam on February 18^th.

The other foreign-based players in the US squad who did not take part in this match were Hugo Perez (Red Star 93 / France) and Chris Sullivan (Raba Eto Gyor / Hungary).

-Earlier in the month, USA played a number of matches as part of their preparation for the World Cup.

As part of the ‘Marlboro Cup in Miami, Florida’s Orange Bowl:

February 2, 1990-USA 0-Costa Rica 2 (Juan cayasso 8, Diaz 61)
February 4, 1990-USA 1-Colombia 1 (Eric Wynalda 4 / Luis Alfonso Fajardo 25) (penalty kick shoot-out 8-9)
Brent Goulet and Frank Klopas were recalled by Bob Gansler for the Marlboro Cup.
February 13, 1990- Hamilton, National Stadium-Bermuda 0-USA 1 (Chris Sullivan 53)

-USA’s Marcelo Balboa missed this match through injury. He was injured vs. Bermuda on February 13^th.

Others missing from the USA squad included Brian Bliss, Frank Klopas, Hugo Perez and Chris Sullivan.

USA’s back-up goalkeepers were Kasey Keller and David Vanole.

-The attendance of 61,000 was the largest crowd ever to watch USA on home soil, as well as the largest audience to watch the USA National team since the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Famous American cheerleader Krazy George Henderson was in the audience along with his famous hand drum.

-For the American defenders, John Doyle was tasked to mark Rodionov, while Armstrong marked Kolivanov.

Photo From: Soccer International, Issue 4, April 1990

(John Doyle, February 24, 1990, USA 1-USSR 3

-In the 29^th minute, from the middle, Kuznetsov passed to Cherenkov, who dummied and let the ball pass through before laying it for the onrushing Bessonov on the right with a low shot.

-In the 41^st minute, USA were awarded a penalty kick after Oleg Luzhny fouled Peter Vermes in the box. John Harkes scored from the ensuing penalty kick.

It appeared like a soft penalty decision and ever the American television commentators questioned the call.

Vermes himself later admitted that the foul may have not been hard enough and stated that, “he hit me hard enough so I could go down….you know, that’s part of the game”

Victor Chanov was booked for protesting the penalty kick decision.

Photo From: Soccer International, Issue 4, April 1990

(The penalty kick incident, Peter Vermes being fouled by Oleg Luzhny, February 24, 1990, USA 1-USSR 3)

-In the 45^th minute, Bruce Murray gave away a free kick outside of the box, Bessonov’s free kick deflected off the wall and Cherenkov scored from the rebound from just outside of box with a low shot.

Tony Meola’s vision may have been obstructed by the wall.

USA Manager Bob Gansler called it a silly foul to give away and a ‘savable shot’ and psychologically damaging to give up this goal just before halftime.

Photo From: The Sunday Star-Ledger, February 25, 1990

(February 24, 1990, USA 1-USSR 3)

Photo From: Soccer International, Issue 4, April 1990

(February 24, 1990, USA 1-USSR 3)

-For the second half, Valery Lobanovsky sent on striker Oleg Protasov to replace another striker Igor Kolivanov.

Bob Gansler changed his defenders, Steve Trittschuh (for Armstrong at the right back) and Paul Caligiui (for Banks at the left back)

-In the 68^th minute, from a cross into the box, led to a scramble on the right side, Doyle blocked Zigmantovich’s attempt who then passed across to the unmarked Protasov to score.

-The Soviets dominated the second half. They somewhat eased off after scoring the third goal.

-Despite the loss, the general takeaway for the American side from the players and observers was generally positive.

This performance had been an improvement compared to their matches in the Marlboro Cup, earlier in the month.

Many felt the USA were in the game until giving away the second goal.

The goal just before halftime essentially killed the game and the Americans struggled against the much faster Soviets in the second half.

To many observers the USA’s weak defense was exposed in this match.

Despite their fatigue, the Soviets were praised for being faster.

-USA Manager Bob Gansler underlined some positive moments but stressed that improvements were needed in every area to compete in the World Cup.

-The USA players also expressed that they were unaccustomed to playing against a European Team and style as they had generally been facing Latin American Nations in friendlies and qualifiers.

Photo From: Soccer America, Volume 38, Number 9, Issue 950, March 8, 1990

(February 24, 1990, USA 1-USSR 3)

Photo From: Soccer America, Volume 38, Number 9, Issue 950, March 8, 1990

(February 24, 1990, USA 1-USSR 3)

Photo From: Soccer America, Volume 38, Number 9, Issue 950, March 8, 1990

(February 24, 1990, USA 1-USSR 3)

-Paul Caligiuri was the only USA player not to have signed a United States Soccer Federation contract (the USSF contracts were without the privilege of negotiation).

He felt he did not start this match as punishment. He also did not start the previous two matches as well.

He urged reporters to ask Bob Gansler why he was not starting, for his part Bob Gansler stated that he started with his best eleven.

Paul Caligiuri scored the goal that qualified USA for the 1990 World Cup in the final qualifier vs. Trinidad and Tobago on November 19, 1989.

Caligiuri also played in the Unicef Charity match on July 27, 1986 (Americas XI 2-FIFA World Stars 2). This led to him being signed by West German side SV Hamburg in early 1987.

Photo From: Soccer America, Volume 38, Number 9, Issue 950, March 8, 1990

(February 24, 1990, USA 1-USSR 3)

Photo From: Soccer America, Volume 38, Number 9, Issue 950, March 8, 1990

(February 24, 1990, USA 1-USSR 3)

Photo From: Soccer America, Volume 38, Number 9, Issue 950, March 8, 1990

(February 24, 1990, USA 1-USSR 3)

-USSR players: Viktor Viktorovich Chanov, Vladimir Vassilievich Bessonov, Oleg Vladimirovich Kuznetsov, Vasili Karlovich Rats, Oleg Valeriyevich Protasov, Ahrik Sokratovich Tsveiba, Andrei Vikentiyevich Zygmantovich and Ivan Ivanovich Yaremchuk made the 1990 World Cup Finals squad.

-USSR players : Viktor Viktorovich Chanov, Vladimir Vassilievich Bessonov, Oleg Vladimirovich Kuznetsov, Vasili Karlovich Rats, Oleg Valeriyevich Protasov, Ivan Ivanovich Yaremchuk and Sergei Yuriyevich Rodionov were part of the 1986 World Cup Finals squad.

USSR players: Viktor Viktorovich Chanov, Vladimir Vassilievich Bessonov and Sergei Yuriyevich Rodionov were part of the 1982 World Cup Finals squad.

-All the USA players who took part in this match were part of the 1990 World Cup Finals squad.

Photo From: Soccer International, Issue 4, April 1990

(The Most valuable Player awards, February 24, 1990, USA 1-USSR 3)

-USA players: Tony Meola, Paul Caligiuri, John Harkes, Tab Ramos and Eric Wynalda were part of the 1994 World Cup Finals squad.

USA players: Tab Ramos and Eric Wynalda were part of the 1998 World Cup Finals squad.

-USSR’s Oleg Luzhny played in the English League during his career (Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers).

USA’s John Harkes also played in the English League (Derby County, Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham United and Nottingham Forest).

-USA’s Paul Caligiuri and Eric Wynalda represented German clubs in their career.

Caligiuri joined SV Hamburg in 198 and played for Meppen, Hansa Rostock, Freiburg and St Pauli.

Wynalda played for Saarbrucken and VfL Bochum.

-USA Manager Bob Gansler earned 5 caps for his Nation in 1968.

To hear my podcast Interview with Mr. Gansler, click Link:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1qQx78r4MOJ3vu3l5MMOqu?si=_aqswFx1TNWzbwogNuFrRw

-USA’s John Harkes, Tony Meola and Tab Ramos are part of the Kearny, New Jersey trio. It is known as ‘Soccertown USA’. @Soccertown_USA

To see the documentary, click link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=havPy5C2XIU&feature=youtu.be

-USA’s Jimmy Banks passed away on April 26^th, 2019 due to cancer. He was 54 years old.

-USSR Manager Valeri Vasilevich Lobanovsky had previously managed the National Team in (1975/76) and 91982/83). He would later manage the National teams of United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Ukraine (2000/01).

He passed away on May 13, 2002, aged 63.

-USSR goalkeeper Victor Chanov died on February 8, 2017. According to reports he was beaten to death. He was 57 years old.

-Following the break-up of the Soviet Union, some of the players earned International caps for new Independent Nations.

Oleg Vladimirovich Kuznetsov, Oleg Romanovich Luzhny and Oleg Valeriyevich Protasov represented Ukraine.

Ahrik Sokratovich Tsveiba earned one cap for Ukraine and then played 8 matches for Russia.

Vladimir Iosifovich Tatarchuk and Igor Vladimirovich Kolyvanov represented Russia.

Andrei Vikentiyevich Zygmantovich represented Belarus.

-The next match between the nations was om neutral soil later in the year on November 21, 1990 at Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The match ended scoreless.

USA players: Jimmy Banks, Desmond Armstrong, Mike Windischmann, Paul Krumpe, Eric Eichmann, Bruce Murray and Peter Vermes and USSR players: Ahrik Sokratovich Tsveiba and Vladimir Iosifovich Tatarchuk were present that day (on the field and/or the substitutes bench).

USA Manager Bob Gansler was still in charge of the USA squad.

-The sides had faced one another during the 1988 Olympics at Seoul, South Korea on September 22, 1988 at Taegu.

This was an unofficial match as it was the Olympic sides of the respective Nations.

USSR won that match (4-2). John Doyle scored one of USA’s goals.

Vadim Nikolaevich Tishchenko and Vladimir Iosifovich Tatarchuk were members of the Soviet squad but remained on the bench for that match.

USA players: Paul Caligiuri, Paul Krumpe, Desmond Armstrong, Bruce Murray, John Doyle, John Stollmeyer, Peter Vermes, Stephen Trittschuh,

Michael Windischmann, Eric Eichmann Tab Ramos and John Harkes (on the field and/or the substitutes bench).

-The next match between the nations on American soil and USSR’s next win was a friendly on January 25, 1992 at Miami, Florida at the Orange Bowl that USSR won (1-0).

Ahrik Sokratovich Tsveiba scored the winning goal, though in some sources it is credited as an own goal.

By this point the Soviet Union was called ‘The Commonwealth of Independent States’ just before the break-up of the Soviet Union.

USA players: Tony Meola, Desmond Armstrong, John Doyle and Eric Wynalda and CIS player: Ahrik Sokratovich Tsveiba were present that day (on the field and/or the substitutes bench).

-USA’s first ever win was just days later in a friendly on February 2, 1992 at Pontiac, Michigan at the Silver Dome that USA won (2-1).

EricWynalda scored one of USA’s goals.

By this point the Soviet Union was called ‘The Commonwealth of Independent States’ just before the break-up of the Soviet Union.

USA players: Tony Meola, Desmond Armstrong, John Doyle, Bruce Murray and Eric Wynalda were present that day (on the field and/or the substitutes bench).

-USA would face Russia in a friendly at Orlando, Florida at the Citrus Bowl on February 13, 1993 that Russia won (1-0).

USA players: Tony Meola, Paul Caliguri, Desmond Armstrong and Peter Vermes were present that day (on the field and/or the substitutes bench).

Just days later on February 21^st, USA faced the Russia at Palo Alto, California-Stanford Stadium, the venue of this 1990 match. That match ended scoreless.

USA players: Desmond Armstrong, Paul Caliguri and Peter Vermes were present that day (on the field and/or the substitutes bench).

-USA would face Russia in a friendly at Seattle, Washington at the Kingdome on January 30, 1994. The match ended in a (1-1) tie.

USA players: Tony Meola and Desmond Armstrong and Russia player: Vladimir Iosifovich Tatarchuk were present that day (on the field and/or the substitutes bench).

Match Squads:

USA:

Players who took part in the match:

Goalkeepers:

Tony Meola (United States Soccer Federation) (February 21, 1969, Belleville, New Jersey) (21 years old at the time)

Defenders:

Mike Windischman (United States Soccer Federation) (December 6, 1965 Nuremberg, West Germany) (24 years old at the time)

Desmond Armstrong (United States Soccer Federation) (November 2, 1964, Washington, DC) (25 years old at the time)

Steve Trittschuh (United States Soccer Federation) (April 24, 1965, Granite City, Illinois) (24 years old at the time)

John Doyle (United States Soccer Federation) (March 16, 1966, San Jose, California) (23 years old at the time)

Jimmy Banks (United States Soccer Federation) (September 2, 1964, Milwaukee, Wisconsin-April 26, 2019, Milwaukee, Wisconsin) (25 years old at the time)

Midfielders:

John Stollmeyer (United States Soccer Federation) (October 25, 1962, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) (27 years old at the time)

Tab Ramos (United States Soccer Federation) (September 21, 1966, Montevideo, Uruguay) (23 years old at the time)

Paul Krumpe (United States Soccer Federation) (March 4, 1963, Torrance, California) (26 years old at the time)

Paul Caligiuri (United States Soccer Federation) (March 9, 1964, Westminster, California) (25 years old at the time)

John Harkes (free agent) (March 8, 1967, Kearny, New Jersey) (22 years old at the time)

Forwards:

Bruce Murray (United States Soccer Federation) (January 25, 1966, Germantown, Maryland) (24 years old at the time)

Eric Wynalda (United States Soccer Federation) (June 9, 1969, Fullerton, California) (20 years old at the time)

Eric Eichmann (United States Soccer Federation) (May 7, 1965, Margate Florida) (24 years old at the time)

Peter Vermes (Football Club Volendam / Holland) (November 21, 1966 Willingboro, New Jersey) (23 years old at the time)

Coach: Bob Gansler (July 1, 1941, Mucsi, Hungary) (49 years old at the time)

Team captain: Mike Windischman

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Note:

1-Paul Caligiuri still had not signed a contract with the United States Soccer Federation.

Photo From:

All Panini World Cup 1990

Except

Armstrong (Panini World Cup 1994)

Krumpe (source unknown)

Note:

From the Panini World Cup 1990 photos shown: Take out: Hugo Perez, Brian Bliss, Kasey Keller, Marcelo Balboa did not take part in this match

Photo From: Soccer International, Volume 1, Issue 2, February 1990

(USA Manager Bob Gansler)

USSR:

Players who took part in the match:

Goalkeepers:

Viktor Viktorovich Chanov (Dinamo Kiev) (July 21, 1959, Stalino, Ukraine-February 8, 2017, Kiev) (31 years old at the time)

Defenders:

Vladimir Vassilievich Bessonov (Dinamo Kiev) (March 5, 1958, Kharkiv, Ukraine) (31 years old at the time)

Oleg Vladimirovich Kuznetsov (Dinamo Kiev) (March 22, 1963, Magdeburg, East Germany) (26 years old at the time)

Oleg Romanovich Luzhny (Dinamo Kiev) (August 5, 1968, Lviv, Ukraine) (21 years old at the time)

Ahrik Sokratovich Tsveiba (Dinamo Kiev) (September 10, 1966, Gudauta, Geoergia) (23 years old at the time)

Midfielders:

Vadim Nikolaevich Tishchenko (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk) (March 24, 1963, Horodok, Ukraine) (26 years old at the time)

Andrei Vikentiyevich Zygmantovich (Dinamo Minsk) (December 6, 1962, Minsk) (27 years old at the time)

Vasili Karlovich Rats (Dinamo Kiev) (March 25, 1961, Zakarpattia,Oblast, Ukraine) (28 years old at the time)

Ivan Ivanovich Yaremchuk (Dinamo Kiev) (March 19, 1962, Velykyi Bychkiv, Ukraine) (27 years old at the time)

Fyodor Fedorovich Cherenkov (Spartak Moskva) (July 25, 1959, Moscow-October 4, 2014, Moscow) (30 years old at the time)

Vladimir Iosifovich Tatarchuk (Futbol'nyj Klub CSKA (Central'nyy Sportivnyy Klub Armii) Moskva) (April 25, 1966, Matrosovo) (23 years old at the time)

Forwards:

Sergei Yuriyevich Rodionov (Spartak Moskva) (September 3, 1962, Moscow) (27 years old at the time)

Igor Vladimirovich Kolyvanov (Dinamo Moskva) (March 6, 1968, Moscow) (21 years old at the time)

Oleg Valeriyevich Protasov (Dinamo Kiev) (February 4, 1964, Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine) (26 years old at the time)

Coach: Valeri Vasilevich Lobanovsky (January 6, 1939, Kiev, Ukraine-May 13, 2002, Zaporizhia, Ukraine) (51 Years old at the time)

Team captain: Oleg Vladimirovich Kuznetsov

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Score (Officially Adidas were the kit manufacturers for the Soviet Union but for this match they wore kit manufactured by Score)