Indiana men’s soccer adds trio of recruits from MLS academies

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana University men’s soccer coach Todd Yeagley has announced the signing of three additional freshmen for the 2023 season.

All three players join IU after training at Major League Soccer academies: Joel Demian from Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Alex Kara and Luke Reidell out of Sporting Kansas City.

“We are very excited to have Joel, Alex and Luke join our 2023 class,” Yeagley said. “All three possess important positional needs to ensure we have the quality and depth to compete for titles. We feel great about this class, and we are confident they will represent IU men’s soccer with distinction.”

IU’s newcomer list increases to 13; 12 freshmen and one transfer. The program previously announced its initial newcomer class in February.

The upcoming 2023 season schedule includes seven teams that made the 2022 NCAA Tournament, eight teams that finished top 40 in RPI last fall as well as 10 games at Bill Armstrong Stadium. Season tickets are on sale now, and fans can see every home match for a one-time payment of $40.

Joel Demian | Defender | 5-10 | 165 | Langley, British Columbia, Canada | University Hill Secondary School

Since 2019, Canadian Joel Demian has been part of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS) Academy, where last season he was named the U17 player of the year. This winter, he joined the club’s second team, Whitecaps FC 2, during its preseason training before the MLS NEXT Pro campaign. Demian has also trained with the Canada Soccer Men’s National Team as recently as 2022. His brother, Nathan Demian, currently plays at Ohio State.

Alex Kara | Goalkeeper | 6-4 | 185 | Louisville, Ky. | Louisville Collegiate School

Goalkeeper Alex Kara joins Indiana from Sporting KC Academy, with whom he has trained since 2021. Kara is from Louisville, Kentucky, where he played for Javanon FC until joining Sporting KC. With Javanon, Kara helped his club to two Kentucky state titles in 2018 and 2021 as well as a midwest regional final appearance in his final season. Kara is also a two-time state champion with Louisville Collegiate School.

Luke Reidell | Defender | 5-7 | 130 | Rochester, N.Y. | Olathe Northwest

Defender Luke Reidell joins Kara in coming to Bloomington from Sporting KC Academy, which he helped reach playoffs every season. During his club career, Reidell participated United States Youth National Team Identification Camps with some of the top prospects in the country.