By: Alex Kline, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications

POMONA, Calif. – Andriy Budnyy joined the Cal Poly Pomona men's soccer program earlier this month, it was announced by head coach Matt O'Sullivan. Budnyy comes to CPP after spending five years with nearby rival Azusa Pacific's men's soccer program.
 
"Andriy is a very caring person that adds great coaching expertise and a new perspective to the program," said O'Sullivan. "He has a fierce mentality to win, and will be a great addition to help players realize their goals on and off the field. He's coming from a program that had great success in Division II, and in particularly in the West region."
 
From 2016-2020, Budnyy was on the sidelines as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Azusa Pacific. While at APU, he helped lead the Cougars to a 47-20-6 overall record across four seasons. From 2018-19, APU accumulated an impressive 35-3-1 overall record, while going a perfect 22-0 in PacWest matches. Budnyy was instrumental in helping the program reach new heights, including APU being ranked the No. 1 team in the nation with a perfect 18-0-0 record entering the 2019 postseason.
 
No stranger to the Cougar program, Bundyy was an all-conference student-athlete in 2004 and 2005, when the program played in the Golden State Athletic Conference (NAIA). He was named both the GSAC Player of the Year and the Region II Player of the Year in 2005. Before transferring to APU, Budnyy also played a season at Bard College and San Jose State.
 
"I have always respected the CPP program as they have displayed really good quality on and off the field," said Budnyy. "Broncos have always been one of the standout teams not only in the West region, but also in the entire country, advancing the case not only for the CCAA, but all the California teams. The quality of the coaches and players that I witnessed go through the program have been tremendous. Therefore, it's an honor being part of the Bronco family."
 
In addition to his coaching duties with Azusa Pacific, Budnyy coaches with Legends FC out of the San Gabriel Valley. He played professionally from 2004-2017, including stops with the Cascade Surge, Charlotte Eagles, Obolon Kyiv, Carolina RailHawks, Wilmington Hammerheads, and Syracuse Silver Knights. In total, he recorded 29 goals and eight assists in 108 games played in the United Soccer League.
 
Budnyy joins a CPP men's soccer program that has been thriving under O'Sullivan, as the Broncos own an overall record of 53-16-18 (.713) and 32-4-9 (.811) in CCAA contests during his tenure. Cal Poly Pomona has been to the NCAA Tournament in eight consecutive seasons, including all four under O'Sullivan, reaching as far as the Super Region 4 Finals in 2021.
 
"I hope to assist coach Matt and Pepe [Jose Ortega] in any way I can," added Budnyy. "I hope to add to the team culture, and thrive in helping our student-athletes to grow both as players, and as people. I believe my experience coaching in Division II, as well as in ECNL for a number of years, and being successful in both, will help the team reach our goals on the soccer field and in the classroom."