MIAMI (Jan. 29, 2021) - The FIU men's soccer team announced the release of its long-awaited Spring 2021 schedule on Thursday, as first-year Head Coach Kyle Russell and the Panthers get ready for a new era on the pitch. 

For the full Spring 2021 schedule, click here.

"We are thankful to our staff and administration [at FIU] for allowing us the opportunity to compete and go forward with a full season this Spring," said Head Coach Kyle Russell. "There's been a lot of work behind the scenes to ensure that we can train over the past several months to prepare for this moment."

The Panthers will play a slate of 10 games this spring, with six of those on their home pitch and four on the road. FIU will play a stretch of three out-of-conference matches to kick off the season, before journeying into the Conference USA portion of their schedule for the remaining seven games.

"We are looking forward to the challenge that our schedule presents," said Coach Russell. "I think it's going to be a good test for our guys and we're excited to show all the work that we've been putting in since the Fall." 

After not playing a regular-season game on their home turf for 457 days, the Panthers will finally open the Spring 2021 regular season on Sunday, Feb. 7, at home against the Jacksonville Dolphins, with first kick slated for 2:00 p.m. ET. FIU then welcomes FGCU to Miami for a showdown against the Eagles on Wednesday, Feb. 17, with game time set for 7:00 p.m. ET. The Blue & Gold hits the road for the first time the ensuing weekend when FIU travels to UNF on Saturday, Feb. 20, for a showdown against the Ospreys beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET.

FIU opens the C-USA portion of their schedule at home against rival FAU on Saturday, Mar. 6, when the Panthers host the Owls for a midday matchup beginning at Noon. The squad then takes off for a road showdown against the defending C-USA champions the following weekend, when they travel to Marshall on Saturday, Mar. 13, at Noon. The Panthers will return to the 305 on Saturday, Mar. 20, to host UAB at home at 1 p.m. ET, before traveling to see Charlotte on Saturday, Mar. 27, beginning at 2 p.m. ET.

The Blue & Gold's last homestand of the regular season comes at the start of April, when FIU hosts Kentucky and South Carolina in front of its home crowd. The Panthers will face off against the Wildcats under the lights at FIU Soccer Stadium on Saturday, Apr. 3, starting at 6 p.m. ET, before welcoming the Gamecocks on Saturday, Apr. 10 at Noon. FIU wraps up the regular season on the road against ODU on Saturday, Apr. 17, with game time slated for 2 p.m. ET.

There will not be a C-USA Tournament at the campaign's conclusion, as the winner of the regular season will receive the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

FAN ATTENDANCE
Due to physical distancing requirements, the total capacity at FIU Athletics events will be reduced this season. FIU's soccer games will be limited to 200 fans this spring due to the COVID-19 repopulation plan. For more information on tickets, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit here.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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