WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — Indy Eleven midfielder Logan Neidlinger will be the first to tell you that dreams can become reality.

That’s because the 19-year-old is already living out one of his dreams.

“It’s definitely surreal,” Neidlinger said. “It’s just hard to think that a kid from Indy can make it.”

The Indianapolis native is getting ready for his first full season as a member of the Boys in Blue. Last October, he signed a professional contract with Indy Eleven.

“Growing up with Indy Eleven, it was always a goal to grow up and eventually get to this point,” Neidlinger said.

Two months prior to signing the professional contract, Neidlinger made club history. He became the youngest ever Indy Eleven player to score a goal when he found the back of the net in a match against New Mexico in August. Neidlinger was just 18-years-old at the time.

“I know the guys behind me support me and have confidence in me, so, as soon as I got the ball I thought, ‘Shoot,’” Neidlinger said. “And it was a great feeling, looking up seeing how proud my parents were. So yeah, it was good.”

It’s been a quick rise through the ranks for the now 19-year-old.

Neidlinger signed a USL Academy contract in Jan. 2024. He made his USL Championship debut with the Boys in Blue in July against Loudoun United. Neidlinger would make his first start for Indy Eleven shortly thereafter, in August against Charleston.

“Everything that he’s achieved up until this point he’s deserved it,” Indy Eleven forward Romario Williams said. “He’s relentlessly worked really hard. Humble kid. Wants to learn. Wants to grow. Future’s bright.”

The cool thing for Neidlinger is that he grew up watching Indy Eleven. In fact, his family had season tickets during the club’s inaugural year. So now getting to play for the Boys in Blue truly feels like a “full circle moment.”

“My parents always say it’s crazy how fast things have changed and how fast you’ve grown up,” Neidlinger said.

Indy Eleven head coach Sean McAuley credits a lot of veteran players for helping Neidlinger grow on the pitch.

“Sometimes these young players can go through a period where they need an older player to put an arm around them and say, ‘Don’t worry about that,’” McAuley said. “And we’ve got senior players on this squad who are really good.”

Neidlinger said he is grateful to those players McAuley was speaking about.

“They’ve taught me a lot about what it takes to be a pro,” Neidlinger said. “That’s kind of what I’ve learned and taken into this year.”

Neidlinger and Indy Eleven begin their USL Championship regular season on Saturday at Miami FC. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. EDT.