MIAMI (Aug. 19, 2020) - The FIU men's soccer team returned to practice this week after a long pause to finally begin preparation for the upcoming 2020 season.
 
FIU is set to enter a new era under Kyle Russell as he takes charge of the program in his first season as head coach.

"We see a lot of excitement," said Coach Russell of the training sessions. "We see guys that are competitive and want to learn and get better every day. We've got a good group of returners and an exciting group of new players. We finally got everybody back here and cleared and ready to go."
 
The 2020 roster features a quality set of 17 returning Panthers, with nine of those being juniors or seniors.
 
Coach Russell and his staff have infused the veteran group with a talented crop of 14 newcomers that includes five additional incoming upperclassmen.
 
Assistant coaches Dannie Merida and Cameron Sauro joined the pitch this week as FIU trained as a collective whole for the first time since Russell completed his coaching staff.
 
"It's a lot of fun," said Russell. "We have a staff that is from all over that have coached at the Division I level at different universities. The one thing that we all have in common is that we're player-coaches. We believe in making the players not just better players but into better people, and help growing them as individuals."
 
One of the Panthers expected to lead the way for FIU this season is senior Matias Barraza, who was happy to get back to training.
 
"Obviously, we've been out for a very long time, so it's very exciting to get back in," said Barraza. "To meet the new guys, the new guys are looking really good. Being able to work with [the new staff] because we only got a week and a half with [them] in the spring. So it's very exciting. We're all very excited to get to work."
 
Barraza spoke of how Russell and his staff held players accountable to improve over the summer despite circumstances that distanced the team.
 
"The coaches were trying to hold us to be the best we can be through [video chat]," said Barraza.
 
"Now that we're coming in, they're still holding us to a very high standard. They're one of the guys that are bringing the energy, so we have to match it."
 
With the team now united on campus, FIU can begin the process in-person of becoming the team it wants to be.  

"I'm excited to bring success here [to FIU] as it once was," said Russell. "I'm excited to help get this team to a national championship. I'm excited to just be a part of a great staff and a great group of players that are going to better the South Florida area."
 
Russell was clear on the team's mindset heading into his first season.
 
"We're here to win," said Coach Russell. "And we're here to win not just on the field but in the classroom, within our relationships, and within the community."

Amidst some surrounding uncertainty, Russell gave words of assurance that FIU will remain prepared and focused regardless of what the future holds in 2020.
 
"We're eager to play," said Russell. "No matter when, or how, or what that looks like. The boys will be ready."
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Twitter (@FIUMensSoccer) and become a fan on Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUMensSoccer) for all the latest Men's Soccer news. Follow all of FIU's athletic teams on Twitter (@FIUAthletics), Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSports), YouTube (FIUPanthers), and Instagram (FIUAthletics).