Indiana Vassilev
{{Short description|American soccer player (born 2001)}}
{{family name hatnote|Denchev|Vassilev|lang=Eastern Slavic}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Indiana Vassilev
| image =
| full_name = Indiana Denchev Vassilev{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/2247219 |title=2021/22 Premier League squads confirmed |publisher=Premier League |date=10 September 2021 |access-date=13 September 2021}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|2|16}}
| birth_place = Savannah, Georgia, United States
| height = {{convert|1.73|m|order=flip}}{{Cite web |title=Indiana Vassilev: Overview |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/31670/Indiana-Vassilev/overview |access-date=August 21, 2022 |publisher=Premier League}}
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Philadelphia Union
| clubnumber = 19
| youthyears1 = 2005–2012
| youthclubs1 = Savannah United
| youthyears2 = 2013-2015
| youthclubs2 = South Georgia Tormenta FC
| youthyears3 = 2015–2018
| youthclubs3 = IMG Academy
| youthyears4 = 2018–2020
| youthclubs4 = Aston Villa
| years1 = 2020–2023
| clubs1 = Aston Villa
| caps1 = 4
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2020–2021
| clubs2 = → Burton Albion (loan)
| caps2 = 12
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2021
| clubs3 = → Cheltenham Town (loan)
| caps3 = 12
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2021
| clubs4 = → Inter Miami (loan)
| caps4 = 21
| goals4 = 3
| years5 = 2022
| clubs5 = → Inter Miami (loan)
| caps5 = 24
| goals5 = 2
| years6 = 2023–2024
| clubs6 = St. Louis City
| caps6 = 63
| goals6 = 5
| years7 = 2025–
| clubs7 = Philadelphia Union
| caps7 = 1
| goals7 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2016
| nationalteam1 = United States U16
| nationalcaps1 = 8
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2016–2017
| nationalteam2 = United States U17
| nationalcaps2 = 17
| nationalgoals2 = 3
| nationalyears3 = 2018
| nationalteam3 = United States U18
| nationalcaps3 = 6
| nationalgoals3 = 2
| nationalyears4 = 2019
| nationalteam4 = United States U20
| nationalcaps4 = 2
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| nationalyears5 = 2023
| nationalteam5 = United States U23
| nationalcaps5 = 1
| nationalgoals5 = 0
| nationalyears6 = 2025–
| nationalteam6 = United States
| nationalcaps6 = 2
| nationalgoals6 = 0
| club-update = March 1, 2025
| ntupdate = January 22, 2025
}}
Indiana Denchev Vassilev ({{langx|bg|Индиана Денчев Василев}}; born February 16, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club Philadelphia Union and the United States national team. Vassilev is a product of Aston Villa who signed him from the IMG Academy in Florida. Vassilev has represented the United States internationally at a number of youth levels and made his senior debut in January 2025.
Youth Career
Vassilev started his career with Savannah United in Savannah, Georgia from 2005 to 2012.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2020/6/12/21262971/savannah-born-indiana-vassilev-signs-extension-with-aston-villa|title = Savannah-born Indiana Vassilev Signs Extension with Aston Villa|date = June 12, 2020}} He later joined South Georgia Tormenta FC Academy (then called Tormenta United) from 2013 - 2015 before switching to IMG Academy in Florida.{{cite web | url=https://www.tormentafc.com/news/2025/01/16/tfc-academys-indiana-vassilev-earns-first-national-team-call-up/ | title=TFC Academy's Indiana Vassilev Receives First National Team Call-up }} His coach at the IMG Academy, Kevin Hartman, described him as having great leadership qualities and all the attributes he thought were required for him to play at the top level.{{Cite news|url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/03/21/do-former-coach-claims-aston-villa-newbie-indiana-vassilev-has-b/page/1-2/|title=Former coach claims Aston Villa newbie Indiana Vassilev has 'boundless' potential|last=Owen|first=Danny|work=HITC}}
Club Career
= Aston Villa =
He was first scouted by Aston Villa in November 2016 and then again while representing the United States at the 2017 U17 World Cup. He was finally offered a professional contract in 2018.{{cite web | url=https://soccersouls.com/aston-villa-must-not-delay-promoting-this-4-goal-ace-starring-for-u23s-any-longer-heres-why/ | title=Why Aston Villa should promote Indiana Vassilev to the senior squad | date=December 15, 2019 }}
Vassilev started playing for Aston Villa's U23 team in the Premier League 2, scoring 4 goals in his first 6 games of the 2019–20 season. He was rewarded with a place in Aston Villa's first team on January 4, 2020, coming off the bench to replace Marvelous Nakamba in an FA Cup tie against Fulham.{{Cite news|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-team-news-fulham-17512456|title=Aston Villa team news v Fulham: Dean Smith and Scott Parker name FA Cup line-ups|last=Bonnell|first=Jonny|date=January 4, 2020|work=Birmingham Mail}} On January 18, 2020, Vassilev made his Premier League debut, coming on as a substitute in the 67th minute in a 1–1 draw away to Brighton & Hove Albion.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51073187|title=Brighton 1–1 Aston Villa|date=January 18, 2020|work=BBC Sport}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2020/01/20/indiana-vassilev-aston-villa-debut-american-premier-league|title=Aston Villa's Vassilev Is 2nd-Youngest American to Play in EPL|magazine=Sports Illustrated|language=en|access-date=January 21, 2020}} He was cited by ESPN as a Premier League youngster set for a break-through heading into the 2020-2021.He was cited by ESPN as a Premier League youngster set for a break-through in 2020-2021.
== Burton Albion ==
On September 17, 2020, Vassilev signed for Burton Albion of EFL League One on a season-long loan.{{Cite web|date=September 17, 2020|title=Vassilev joins Burton on loan|url=https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2020/september/Vassilev-joins-Burton-on-loan/|access-date=September 17, 2020|website=Aston Villa Official Site}} He made his Burton debut on September 19, in a 2–1 home victory over Accrington Stanley.{{Cite news|date=September 19, 2020|title=Burton Albion 2–1 Accrington Stanley|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54127653|access-date=September 19, 2020}}
= Cheltenham Town =
Aston Villa recalled Vassilev from Burton Albion on January 28, 2021. The next day, January 29, he joined League Two side Cheltenham Town on loan until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.ctfc.com/news/2021/january/aston-villa-youngster-heads-in-on-loan/|title=Aston Villa youngster heads in on loan|website=www.ctfc.com|date=29 January 2021}}{{cite web | url=https://www.foxsports.com/articles/soccer/american-forward-vassilev-loaned-to-fourthtier-cheltenham | title=American forward Vassilev loaned to fourth-tier Cheltenham }} He made his Cheltenham debut on January 30, as a late substitute in a 0–0 away draw against Forest Green.{{Cite news|last=Palmer|first=Jon|date=30 January 2021|title=Forest Green v Cheltenham Town RECAP: Derby draw at New Lawn as 10-man Rovers shut out Robins|work=GloucestershireLive|url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/forest-green-rovers-v-cheltenham-4945929|access-date=30 January 2021}} He went on to make 12 appearances for Cheltenham, as they won the League Two title on May 8, 2021 – Vassilev's first trophy.{{Cite news|date=8 May 2021|title=Cheltenham 4–1 Harrogate: Michael Duff's Robins clinch League Two title in style|work=Sky Sports|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/cheltenham-town-vs-harrogate-town/report/430799|access-date=8 May 2021}}
== Inter Miami ==
On July 7, 2021, Vassilev joined MLS side Inter Miami on loan for the remainder of their 2021 season.{{Cite web|date=July 7, 2021|title=Inter Miami CF Signs U.S. Youth International Indiana Vassilev on Loan|url=https://www.intermiamicf.com/en/post/2021/07/07/inter-miami-cf-signs-us-youth-international-indiana-vassilev-loan|access-date=July 8, 2021|website=Inter Miami CF – Official Site}} Vassilev made his MLS debut as a substitute in a 5–0 defeat to New England Revolution on July 21, 2021.{{Cite news|date=July 21, 2021|title=Inter Miami CF Falls 5–0 To New England Revolution At Home|work=CBS Miami|url=https://miami.cbslocal.com/2021/07/21/inter-miami-cf-falls-0-5-to-new-england-revolution/|access-date=July 22, 2021}} On August 8, 2021, Vassilev scored his first goal in the MLS – an injury time winner against Nashville.{{Cite web|last=|date=August 8, 2021|title=Recap: Inter Miami CF 2, Nashville SC 1 {{!}} MLSSoccer.com|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/recap-inter-miami-cf-2-nashville-sc-1|access-date=2021-08-09|website=MLS|language=en}} He started 7 of 21 games played, scoring 3 goals.{{cite web | title=Indiana Vassilev | website=mlssoccer | date=2025-05-20 | url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/indiana-vassilev/stats/}} Vassilev returned to Aston Villa training in November 2021, after the Inter Miami season had finished.{{Cite web|last=Townley|first=John|date=2021-11-23|title=Sanson, a loan return & more things spotted in Gerrard's Villa training session|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/morgan-sanson-loan-return--22249615|access-date=2021-11-23|website=BirminghamLive|language=en}}
On May 5, 2022, Vassilev returned to Inter Miami for a second season on loan.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=5 May 2022 |title=Indiana Vassilev rejoins Inter Miami on loan |url=https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2022/may/05/vassilev-rejoins-inter-miami-on-loan/ |access-date=2022-05-05 |website=Aston Villa Football Club}} He started 13 of 24 games played, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists. He made the Team of the Week on Week 16.https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/team-of-the-week-presented-by-audi-philadelphia-union-portland-timbers-awaken-in Vassilev was out of contract following Miami's 2022 season.{{cite web | url=https://www.intermiamicf.com/news/inter-miami-cf-announces-2022-roster-decisions | title=Inter Miami CF Announces 2022 Roster Decisions | Inter Miami CF }}
= St. Louis City =
On November 12, 2022, Vassilev's MLS rights were acquired by St. Louis City SC as part of the 2022 MLS Expansion Draft. Inter Miami received $50,000 as part of the deal.{{Cite web |last=Rowe |first=Patrick |date=2022-11-13 |title=Statement made over transfer for Aston Villa loan player Indiana Vassilev |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-transfer-news-vassilev-25502779 |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=BirminghamLive |language=en}} A permanent transfer for Vassilev to St. Louis City was confirmed by Aston Villa on January 17, 2023, for an undisclosed fee.{{Cite web |date=January 17, 2023 |title=Indiana Vassilev completes MLS move |url=https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2023/january/17/vassilev-completes-mls-move/ |access-date=2023-01-17 |website=Aston Villa Football Club}}
On February 26, 2023, Vassilev made his debut for St. Louis in their first ever competitive game, a 3–2 MLS victory over Austin.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-26 |title=St. Louis City wins inaugural match, beats Austin 3-2 |url=https://apnews.com/article/sports-austin-fc-st-louis-city-sc-jon-gallagher-2b81282afe108282f84168ca50e96bd4 |access-date=2023-03-10 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}} He started 23 of his 29 games played during the 2023 season, scoring 2 goals and providing 5 assists. Vassilev made the MLS Team of the Matchday on Matchday 14.https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/team-of-the-matchday-orlando-city-st-louis-city-make-rivalry-week-statements
In the 2024 season, Vassilev started 25 of 34 games played, scoring 3 goals and providing 4 assists.
= Philadelphia Union =
On February 21, 2025, Vassilev was traded to Philadelphia Union in exchange for $1 million ($400,000 in 2025, $600,000 in 2026) in General Allocation Money, with an additional $250,000 depending on meeting certain performance targets.{{cite web | url=https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/philadelphia-union-acquire-midfielder-indiana-vassilev-from-st-louis-city-sc | title=Philadelphia Union Acquire Midfielder Indiana Vassilev from St. Louis CITY SC }}{{cite web | url=https://www.stlcitysc.com/news/st-louis-city-sc-acquires-1000000-in-gam-from-the-philadelphia-union-for-indiana-vassilev | title=St. Louis CITY SC acquires $1,000,000 in GAM from the Philadelphia Union for Indiana Vassilev | St. Louis SC }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.stlcitysc.com/news/st-louis-city-sc-acquires-1000000-in-gam-from-the-philadelphia-union-for-indiana-vassilev|title=St. Louis CITY SC acquires $1,000,000 in GAM from the Philadelphia Union for Indiana Vassilev | St. Louis SC|first=St Louis CITY|last=SC|website=St. Louis CITY SC}} He rejoined his former St. Louis City SC manager, Bradley Carnell, at the Union.
International career
Due to his parents' nationality, Vassilev was eligible to represent both the United States and Bulgaria at international level. He represented the United States at the 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in which he played 4 of 5 games as the team reached the quarterfinals.{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/team/results/_/id/17975/usa.u17 | title=United States U17 Results }} He also made appearances for the United States men's national U16, U18 and U20 soccer teams.{{Cite news |last=Clark |first=Travis |date=September 29, 2017 |title=Five potential breakout USMNT players to watch at the U-17 World Cup |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/five-potential-breakout-usmnt-players-watch-u-17-world-cup |access-date=January 4, 2020 |work=FourFourTwo}}
At the beginning of 2020, Georgi Dermendzhiev, the Bulgaria national team head coach, stated that Vassilev had politely declined a call up for the Bulgaria under-21 team to continue representing the United States.[https://www.sportal.bg/news.php?news=825535 Дерменджиев: Индиана Василев любезно отказа да играе за България] In May 2023, the new Bulgaria national coach, Mladen Krstajić, reached out to Vassilev regarding a potential call-up, but was informed that the player would want to focus on his adaptation to his new club and would discuss a call-up for the next matches.{{Cite web|url=https://sportal.bg/news-2023052211214461683|title=Кръстаич кани Индиана Василев и талант от Лестър да играят за България|website=Sportal.bg}}
On October 8, 2023, Vassilev was called up to the United States under-23 national team ahead of friendlies against Mexico and Japan, playing in the 4-1 win over Japan.{{cite web |title=Twenty-three Players Called to U.S. Olympic Men's Soccer Team Training Camp as Preparations for Paris 2024 Kick Off in Phoenix |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2023/10/23-players-called-to-us-olympic-mens-soccer-team-training-camp |website=ussoccer.com |access-date=October 8, 2023 |date=October 8, 2023}}
On January 18, 2025, Vassilev made his senior national team debut in a 3-1 win over Venezuela.https://www.google.com/search?q=us+mens+national+team+2025+results&oq=us+mens+national+team+2025+results&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigATIJCAQQIRgKGKABMgkIBRAhGAoYoAHSAQg1NjE4ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#sie=m;/g/11wqynsscn;2;/g/11b66jrs60;ln;fp;1;;; On January 22, 2025, he made his first senior team start in a 3-0 win over Costa Rica.https://www.google.com/search?q=us+mens+national+team+2025+results&oq=us+mens+national+team+2025+results&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigATIJCAQQIRgKGKABMgkIBRAhGAoYoAHSAQg1NjE4ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#sie=m;/g/11lz42g8sr;2;/g/11b66jrs60;ln;fp;1;;;
Personal life
Vassilev is of Bulgarian descent. His parents settled in the United States in the early 1990s. His father, grandfather, and great-grandfather all played soccer in their native Bulgaria. His father, Dencho Vassilev, played for FC Sliven in Bulgaria and then was a NAIA All-American in 1993 at the University of Mobile and later played for the Savannah Rug Ratz in the EISL from 1997-1998.{{cite web | url=https://www.savannahnow.com/story/sports/2015/07/18/savannah-native-playing-u-14-national-soccer-team/13573034007/ | title=Savannah native playing on U-14 national soccer team }} He is named after Indiana Jones based on his father's interest in the movie character.{{cite web | url=https://apnews.com/article/indiana-vassilev-us-national-team-6ef093b8dc7df345083d118cc85086c3 | title=Named for Hollywood icon, Indiana Vassilev crusades for role on US national team | website=Associated Press News | date=January 17, 2025 }}
His former partner, Ellie Bentley, who moved to the United States from the United Kingdom when Vassilev joined St. Louis City, was involved in a near fatal hit-and-run in St. Louis on February 25, 2024.{{cite web | url=https://people.com/ellie-bentley-alleged-hit-run-hospital-8608848 | title=Woman Who Moved to U.S. With Soccer Star Ex Nearly Killed After Being Dragged 3 Blocks During Alleged Hit-and-Run }}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played October 6, 2024{{Cite web|url=https://us.soccerway.com/players/indiana-vassilev/479419/|title=USA – I. Vassilev – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway}}}}
| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season, and competition | ||||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|National cup{{efn|Includes FA Cup and U.S. Open Cup}} !colspan=2|League cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup and MLS Cup Playoffs}} !colspan=2|Continental !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="5" |Aston Villa
|4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21
|Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 2021–22
|Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23
|Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 2 | 1 | 8 | 1 | ||
| Burton Albion (loan)
|12 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan=2|— | 12 | 0 | |||||
| Cheltenham Town (loan)
|12 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan=2|— | 12 | 0 | |||||
| rowspan="3" |Inter Miami (loan)
|2021 |MLS |21 | 3 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan=2|— | 21 | 3 | |||||
| 2022
|MLS |24 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 27 | 2 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!45 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 48 | 5 | |||
| rowspan="3" |St. Louis City
|2023 |MLS |34 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 2{{efn|Appearance(s) in Leagues Cup|name=LC}} | 0 | 40 | 2 | ||
| 2024
|MLS |29 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|Appearances in CONCACAF Champions Cup|name=Con}} | 0 | 4{{efn|name=LC}} | 1 | 35 | 4 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!63 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 75 | 6 | |
| rowspan="1" |Philadelphia Union
|2025 |MLS |0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!136||10||5||0||4||0||2||0||8||2||155||12 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played January 22, 2025|{{NFT player|97366}}}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States
|2025 | 2 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 2 | 0 |
Honors
Cheltenham Town
St. Louis City SC
- Western Conference (regular season): 2023{{cite web|date=September 30, 2023|title=St. Louis CITY dominate Sporting KC to set another MLS record |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/st-louis-city-dominate-sporting-kansas-city-to-set-another-mls-record|access-date=December 5, 2024|publisher=Major League Soccer}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{MLS player}}
- {{U.S. Soccer player|v/indiana-vassilev}}
- [https://us.soccerway.com/players/indiana-vassilev/479419/ Indiana Vassilev - Soccerway]
- [https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/97366/Indiana_Vassilev.html Indiana Vassilev - National Teams]
{{Philadelphia Union squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vassilev, Indiana}}
Category:American people of Bulgarian descent
Category:Aston Villa F.C. players
Category:Burton Albion F.C. players
Category:Cheltenham Town F.C. players
Category:Inter Miami CF players
Category:American men's soccer players
Category:Premier League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Soccer players from Georgia (U.S. state)
Category:United States men's under-20 international soccer players
Category:American expatriate men's soccer players
Category:American expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:Sportspeople from Savannah, Georgia
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:St. Louis City SC players
Category:Philadelphia Union players
Category:United States men's under-23 international soccer players