21 Facts About Dema Kovalenko

Dmytro Hennadiiovych Kovalenko was born on August 28,1977 and is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Dema Kovalenko spent the majority of his playing career in the United States after moving there in 1992, most notably for Chicago Fire and DC United.

Dema Kovalenko retired from the game in February 2011 after being released by Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the 2010 season.

Dema Kovalenko started to play football in the Dynamo Kyiv academy and toured the United States with the Dynamo's junior squad in 1990 when he was spotted by one of college coaches and invited to the United States.

Dema Kovalenko graduated from Greece Arcadia High School in Rochester, New York in 1996, and played three years of college soccer at Indiana University from 1996 to 1998, where he helped the Hoosiers win a national championship in 1998, and was named an NCAA first team All-American in the same year.

Dema Kovalenko often attributed this to his well developed neck muscles that he said were created from doing hundreds of sets of Ukrainian neck-snaps daily prior to his soccer training.

Dema Kovalenko appeared infrequently in his rookie year, playing only 291 minutes in 11 games, but managed to score three goals for the team.

Dema Kovalenko made an impact another way, breaking the leg, and effectively ending the career, of Dallas Burn defender Brandon Pollard with a dangerous tackle.

Dema Kovalenko would come into his own as a player in the 2000 season, scoring ten goals and five assists in 31 games for the Fire, as he helped the team to a US Open Cup victory.

In 2001, Dema Kovalenko had trouble scoring, registering only one goal with his eight assists, but was still a dangerous offensive player for the team.

Dema Kovalenko immediately established himself with United, scoring six goals in 24 games in his first season with the team.

Also, in what seemed like something of a recurring trend, Dema Kovalenko was again involved in a Dallas Burn injury, when another late tackle broke Burn midfielder Ronnie O'Brien's leg, causing him to miss most of the regular season.

Dema Kovalenko was fined $1,000 and suspended one game for his actions.

Dema Kovalenko continued to be a valuable player in central midfield for DC United in 2004, registering two goals and ten assists for the team in 25 games.

Dema Kovalenko was ejected from the championship game for a handball, but DC United held on to win.

Dema Kovalenko left DC United in January 2006, after being unable to agree on salary terms, and returned to Ukraine.

Dema Kovalenko signed a one-year contract with FC Metalurh Zaporizhzhia.

Dema Kovalenko was able to return during the latter part of the season, helping the club clinch a playoff berth.

Dema Kovalenko concluded the season appearing in 19 league matches, registering two goals and one assist.

Dema Kovalenko was traded to Real Salt Lake in February 2008.

Dema Kovalenko elected to participate in the 2010 MLS Re-Entry Draft and became a Major League Soccer free agent when he was not selected by any club.