MIAMI (Feb. 16, 2021) - After waiting 467 days for this moment to arrive, the FIU men's soccer team will finally return to its home pitch on Wednesday, Feb. 17, when first-year head coach Kyle Russell and the Panthers host the FGCU Eagles in Miami to open the spring 2021 season.

First kick is set for 7 p.m. ET under the lights at FIU Soccer Stadium. Due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols, the capacity of Wednesday's match will be reduced to 200 fans. 

The match will be streamed live on  C-USA TV, and live stats will be available here.

The Blue & Gold is set to enter a new era in 2021 with plenty of fresh faces, as the program features a new coaching staff and the No. 16 recruiting class in the nation according to TopDrawerSoccer.com. FIU is led this season by Coach Russell, and assistants Dannie Merida and Cameron Sauro. Expectations are high for the Panthers both inside and outside of the program, as FIU was ranked 25th in the country in a recent poll by TopDrawerSoccer.com. 

SCOUTING THE EAGLES
FGCU is set to play its first match since the 2019 season on Wednesday after the ASUN Conference opted out of competition last fall. The Eagles were picked to finish first overall in the ASUN this season with five first-place votes in the league's preseason poll. FGCU is led by three All-ASUN Preseason Team members in forward O'Vonte Mullings, goalkeeper Gustavo Vasconcelos and defender Titouan Le Menec. FGCU finished last season with a 9-8-2 overall record and was ousted in the ASUN Championship finals by NJIT.

INSIDE THE SERIES
FIU has won 8 of its last 12 contests against FGCU dating back to the 2007 season. The Panthers last saw the Eagles on Oct. 8, 2019, in an overtime thriller in Fort Myers, when David Garcia connected on a golden-goal header to lift FIU over FGCU by a score of 3-2.

BACK FOR MORE
FIU will feature a dynamic group of returning players this spring, including the reigning C-USA Golden Boot Award winner and spring 2021 All-CUSA Preseason Team selection Alessandro Campoy. The Panthers will rely on the veteran presence of seniors Adam Hassan (Team Captain), Matias Barraza, Jordi Avila, Owen Green and Deco Costa to lead the way in 2021. FIU also brings back 2019 C-USA All-Freshman Team selections David Garcia and Anthony Cousins, Jr. to solidify the Panthers' backline.

REINFORCEMENTS READY
To compliment FIU's group of returning veterans, Coach Russell and his staff utilized the transfer route to inject the roster with a shot of experienced players that will make an immediate impact. FIU adds two graduate students in midfielder Kareem "Enzo" Riley (FGCU; 2019 All-ASUN Second Team) and goalkeeper Grant Makela (SMU; 2019 AAC Tournament Most Outstanding Defensive Player). The Panthers will also be aided between the posts by junior Johan Peñaranda (Pitt; U-19 USMNT).

Junior Mauro Bravo (Iona; 2019 All-MAAC First Team), sophomore Rasmus Tobinski (Vermont; 2019 American East Rookie of the Year) and senior Steven Riad (Coastal Carolina) will help bolster an already-potent Panther attack that ranked top-10 nationally in all major offensive categories last season.

UP NEXT
FIU's next match against UNF, initially scheduled to be a road contest on Saturday, Feb. 17, will now be played at home on Sunday, Feb. 17. First kick against the Ospreys is set for Noon from the FIU Soccer Stadium.

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
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).