MIAMI (January 19, 2018) – FIU men's soccer standout Paul Marie (Saint-Aubin-des-Bois, France) became the eighth player in school history – and the first in 14 years – to be drafted in the Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft, when the San Jose Earthquakes picked him 12^th overall. He is the fourth player to don the Blue and Gold to be selected in the first round. Marie was in Philadelphia for the Draft following his participation the recent MLS Combine in Orlando, last week. Marie was just the second player in school history to be invited to the combine.

"I'm so grateful for the opportunity that I have been given and I can't wait to get started," said Marie. I want to thank FIU for being a great institution and program who put us on the map and me on the stage where I could succeed. Thank you to all the people who supported me, my coach, teammates, agents, my family, and my wife. I am a Panther forever. I also want to thank the San Jose Earthquakes organization for helping me to achieve my life-long dream of playing professional soccer."
 
"I say thank you to Paul and wish him the best in his future, he deserves this opportunity to be a professional," said FIU men's soccer Head Coach Kevin Nylen." As a coach to see his excitement and fulfill a dream of his, is why I'm in this game. Today is a great day for him and his family. A well-earned day in his life."
 
"Paul has the profile we were looking for from the very beginning heading into the combine and the draft," said Earthquakes General Manager Jesse Fioranelli. "We were looking for a fullback. We see in him an offensive-minded outside back that has technical qualities and the ability to read the game. We especially liked that he has character and in the interview that we had with him, he convinced us. The entire coaching staff are really excited about having him part of the club."
 
Marie was an offensive force to be reckoned with this season, and one of the veteran leaders on the FIU roster. A First Team All-Conference USA selection and a two-time C-USA Player of the Week pick in 2017, Marie finished the year second on the team in points with 22 (8g, 6a), and in the top five in C-USA in multiple offensive categories, including points, goals, points-per-game (1.50), goals-per-game (0.50), assists and assists-per-game (0.35).
 
He logged multiple points in eight matches, including a five-point effort (2g, 1a) at South Carolina on Oct. 14 in a 5-2 win. Marie also scored the lone goal in the Conference USA Tournament semifinal match against Charlotte on Nov. 10 and in the NCAA Tournament second round match at Duke on Nov. 19, and assisted on both goals in the Panthers' 2-0 NCAA first-round tournament win over Omaha on Nov. 16.
 
This season the Panthers posted a 12-2-4 record and a 6-0-2 mark in Conference USA, earning their first-ever C-USA regular season title. The Blue and Gold finished the regular season with an 11-0-4 record, the first time in school history that the Panthers recorded an undefeated regular season. FIU was also one of only two teams in Division I men's soccer to accomplish the feat, joining Indiana.
 
The Panthers advanced to their 19^th NCAA Championship, and their 11^th at Division I, winning their first-round game against Omaha. 
 
San Jose finished the 2017 season ninth in the Western Conference with 46 points and a 13-14-7 record, while advancing to the MLS playoffs.
 
FIU's All-Time MLS Draft Selections
2018 – Paul Marie: First Round (12^th overall) San Jose Earthquakes
2004 – John Pulido: Sixth Round (55^th overall) Colorado Rapids
2002 – Daouda Kante: First Round (11^th overall) D.C. United
2001 – Daouda Kante: Sixth Round (64^th overall) Miami Fusion
2001 – John Carroll: Round Six (65^th overall) Colorado Rapids
1998 – Tyrone Marshall: First Round (11^th overall) Colorado Rapids
1996 – Jeff Cassar: First Round (8^th overall) FC Dallas
1996 – Steve Ralston: Second Round (18^th overall) Tampa Bay Mutiny

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