Born in the old Soviet Union in what would now be considered the Ukraine, Eugene Starikov has worn quite a path through the soccer world. From his upbringing in California and Florida after his family’s emigration to going from the Premier Development League to the Russian Premier League with regular UEFA Champions League participant Zenit St. Petersburg, the 29-year-old forward that now suits up for Indy Eleven has quite a story to tell.

We caught up with Starikov during the Eleven’s recent trip to St. Petersburg, Florida to face the Tampa Bay Rowdies to talk about his professional path.