Forward Indiana Vassilev became the second-youngest American to play in England's Premier League when he appeared as a substitute in the second half at Brighton.
Vassilev entered in the 67th minute of Saturday's 1-1 draw. At 18 years, 11 months, 2 days, he became the second-youngest behind defender Jonathan Spector, who was 18 years, 5 months, 27 days when he played his first league game for Manchester United against Blackburn on Aug. 28, 2004.
Vassilev made his first senior team appearance for Aston Villa as a substitute in the FA Cup against Fulham on Jan. 4.
Aston Villa's Indiana Vassilev during the English Premier League match against Watford at Villa Park, Birmingham, England, Tuesday Jan. 21, 2020. (David DaviesPA via AP)
He played for the U.S. alongside Josh Sargent and Tim Weah at the 2017 Under-17 World Cup, where the Americans lost to England in the quarterfinals.
Born in Savannah, Georgia, to parents of Bulgarian heritage, Vassilev played at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, and signed with Aston Villa in 2018.
Vassilev was one of two debuts for Americans in Europe this week. Midfielder Gio Reyna, a son of former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna, made his debut for Borussia Dortmund as a 72nd-minute substitute at Augsburg on Saturday.
Aston Villa's Indiana Vassilev, center, replaces Aston Villa's Trezeguet during the English Premier League match against Watford at Villa Park, Birmingham, England, Tuesday Jan. 21, 2020. (David DaviesPA via AP)
At 17 years, 2 months, 5 days, Reyna became the youngest American to play in the Bundesliga. Midfielder Christian Pulisic was 17 years, 4 months, 12 days when he debuted for Dortmund against Ingolstadt on Jan. 30, 2016
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Erling Haaland’s 18-minute hat trick powered Manchester City to a 4-0 win over Liverpool and into the FA Cup semifinals for a record eighth straight season on Saturday.
Mohamed Salah’s failure from the penalty spot added to the woes of Liverpool, whose meltdown at Etihad Stadium will put more heat on under-pressure manager Arne Slot.
Haaland converted a penalty in the 39th minute, headed home a cross from Antoine Semenyo in first-half stoppage time, and then swept in a finish off the crossbar in the 57th to score his first hat trick of the season for City and 12th since he joined the club in 2022.
Semenyo scored the other goal in the 50th for City, which was playing its first match since winning the English League Cup two weeks ago by beating Arsenal in the final at Wembley Stadium. City will be heading back there later this month for the FA Cup semis.
Salah, who announced during the recent international break that he’d be leaving Liverpool after nine trophy-filled seasons, was beginning his long goodbye to the Reds but couldn’t mark it with a goal. The best of the many chances he spurned came from a penalty, which City goalkeeper James Trafford palmed away in the 64th.
It was a record 18th straight home win for City in the FA Cup, dating to 2017. Pep Guardiola's team shared a record with Clapham Rovers for reaching seven consecutive FA Cup finals, but now holds it outright.
Later Saturday, Chelsea hosts third-tier Port Vale before Arsenal visits second-tier Southampton.
The draw for the semifinals takes place Sunday after West Ham hosts Leeds in the final match in the last eight.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola watchs from the stand during the FA Cup quarter-final soccer match between Manchester City and Liverpool in Manchester, England, Saturday, April 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Liverpool's manager Arne Slot reacts during the FA Cup quarter-final soccer match between Manchester City and Liverpool in Manchester, England, Saturday, April 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah;, left, and Manchester City's Abdukodir Khusanov fight for the ball during the FA Cup quarter-final soccer match between Manchester City and Liverpool in Manchester, England, Saturday, April 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring during the FA Cup quarter-final soccer match between Manchester City and Liverpool in Manchester, England, Saturday, April 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring his third goal during the FA Cup quarter-final soccer match between Manchester City and Liverpool in Manchester, England, Saturday, April 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
