DALLAS, Texas (Nov. 9, 2021) – Kareem Riley and Mauro Bravo of the FIU men's soccer team have been named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week and Offensive Player of the Week, respectively, as announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon.

FIU has now earned a total of six C-USA Player of the Week awards on the season. The honor marks the second weekly league award for Riley this fall and the first for Bravo.

Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro last earned Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 19, while Riley (Oct. 5), Philip Hildebrandt (Aug. 31), and David Garcia (Sept. 7) earned Defensive Player of the Week in weeks past.

Riley garners the accolade following an impressive defensive performance in FIU's C-USA title win over No. 1 ranked and defending NCAA champion Marshall, as the center back logged a full 90-minutes and contributed one assist.

The native of Trinidad & Tobago helped hold the Herd to just 11 overall shot attempts, marking Marshall's third lowest output of the season. In the 51st minute, Riley caused a Marshall turnover by stealing possession after a goal kick and sent a pass to Stephen Afrifa, who finished the counterattack with a score.

Bravo earns the award after logging a game-high three points against the Thundering Herd to help FIU clinch its second C-USA regular-season title in the last five seasons.

Bravo logged one goal and one assist against the top-ranked Herd, as the native of Spain scored the equalizing goal for FIU in the 17th minute to knot up the match at 1-1. The attacking midfielder helped ice the game and extend FIU's lead to 4-1 after serving up a great corner kick in the 79th minute for Matteo Gasperoni, who fired the ball into the back of the net to give FIU a 4-1 lead and seal the C-USA title.

UP NEXT
FIU opens play in the C-USA Tournament Semifinals round on Friday, Nov. 12, at 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Panthers await the winner of the match between No. 4 seed Kentucky and No. 4 Coastal Carolina, which will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 10.

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