| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | (2000-02-05)February 5, 2000 (age 25) | ||
| Place of birth | Chicago, Illinois, United States | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2011–2019 | Chicago Fire | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2019–2021 | Indiana Hoosiers | 57 | (28) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022–2024 | Chicago Fire | 5 | (0) |
| 2022–2023 | →Chicago Fire II | 26 | (11) |
| 2024 | →Detroit City (loan) | 18 | (3) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 30, 2024 | |||
Victor Bezerra (born February 5, 2000) is an American professionalsoccer player who plays as aforward.
Bezerra attendedJones College Prep High School, but did not play soccer for their team. He played club soccer with theChicago Fire academy, where he was the number three scorer in the Central Region in the 2018–2019 season with 21 goals in 22 games. With Chicago Bezerra scored 58 officialUSSDA and eightGeneration Adidas goals.[2] Over the years, Bezerra was called to train and develop in multiple youthUnited States Soccer Federation camps.
In 2019, Bezerra attendedIndiana University Bloomington to playcollege soccer. In three seasons with theHoosiers, Bezerra tallied 28 goals and 12 assists in 57 appearances for a total of 68 points. During his freshman year, Bezerra led the Hoosiers in points and goals with eight goals and three assists, helping the team win both theBig Ten Conference regular season andBig Ten tournament titles. Bezerra scored ahat-trick at the NCAA tournament game againstKentucky, being the third player in program history to score a postseason hat trick and the first since 2012. As a sophomore, Bezerra was a MACHermann Trophy runner-up, after winning both the Big Ten regular season, the Big Ten tournament titles and helping the Hoosiers to reach the Final of the NCAA National Championship. As a sophomore Bezerra was also United Soccer Coaches All-America First Team,TopDrawerSoccer Best XI First Team, United Soccer Coaches All-North Region First Team, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, All-Big Ten First Team, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Tournament (leading the conference in goals and points with 28 points, 12 goals and four assists in the season), Big Ten All-Tournament Team and elected as IU co-Male Athlete of the Year.
In his junior season, Bezerra led the MACHermann Trophy watch list, regarded by TopDrawerSoccer as the number one college soccer player in the country, dealt with injuries at the beginning of the season, led the Hoosiers again in number of goals with eight goals and five assists. Bezerra helped the team reach the Big Ten tournament final, finished the season as first in the Big Ten in game-winning goals and second in total goals scored, earning All-Big Ten Second Team honors. Bezerra scored the decisive goal in their first-round win overBowling Green in the NCAA tournament, helping IU reach the round of 16 as well as scored the first goal in the NCAA tournament game against the national runner-upWashington.[2][3]
On December 22, 2021, it was announced that Bezerra had signed ahomegrown player contract withChicago Fire ahead of their 2022 season.[4][5][3] He made his professional debut for Chicago on April 19, 2022, appearing as a substitute during aLamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tie in regular time versusUnion Omaha.[6] His league debut came on May 7, 2022, coming on as an 81st–minute substitute againstAtlanta United.[7] In addition to the MLS Games and MLS Next Pro games in 2022, Bezerra also started and played the full game for the Chicago Fire in the friendly 1–1 draw and penalty shoot-out win vsLiga MX sideClub León, where he missed a penalty in the shootout.[8]
Bezerra also featured forChicago Fire FC II during their inauguralMLS Next Pro season in 2022. Bezerra was the team's leading scorer with eight goals and two assists, with direct impact in all eight team wins in games that Bezerra also started.[9]
Bezerra played 10 games for Chicago Fire II in 2023, dealt with injuries, scoring three goals and contributing an assist.[10]
Bezerra's contract extension option was declined by the Chicago Fire in November 2024. He played 5 games with the Fire, netting 0 goals, 0 assists, and one yellow card. He will be eligible for the 2024 MLS Re-Entry Draft.[11]
On March 19, 2024, Chicago Fire and Detroit City FC announced that they had agreed to loan terms for the remainder of the 2024 season. Victor played 18 games, started 6 games and scored 3 goals while playing for Detroit.[12]
Both of Bezerra's parents were born inBrazil and he holds dual nationality.[13]