MIAMI (Aug. 25, 2021) - The FIU men's soccer team is set to begin its regular season tomorrow, Aug. 26, when the Panthers travel to play the No. 13 ranked UCF Knights in Orlando.

First kick is set for 6 p.m. ET from UCF Soccer Complex.

The match will be streamed live via ESPN+. Live stats can be followed here.

Head Coach Kyle Russell and the Panthers are set to finally play a full slate of games this Fall, after the current staff's first season at the helm was shortened and postponed due to the global pandemic.

"We're thrilled to have a full schedule," Russell said. "The energy is very high [at FIU] and we have a good positive group that wants to get better and wants to work hard. It's a team that I'm proud to coach and represent this semester. I'm fired up and I know the guys are too. I can't wait for our first regular-season game." 

After a preseason in which the Panthers won all three exhibition matches by a combined score of 15-2, the first official contest has finally arrived for Coach Russell and his group. The Blue & Gold will face no easy task to begin the season, as they must challenge a Knights squad that finished last season as the American Athletic Conference (AAC) regular-season champions and made it all the way to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS
UCF went undefeated during preseason play, claiming victories over Stetson (7-2) and FAU (3-0). The Knights are returning 19 players from last year's team, including their entire starting backline. Between the posts, the Knights will be anchored by a new starting keeper after losing four-year starter Yannik Oettl. UCF will sport a couple familiar faces on this year's roster, fielding former Panthers Alessandro Campoy and Caleb Franke.

INSIDE THE SERIES
The Blue & Gold lead the all-time series over the Black & Gold with a record of 28-13-4. Last time the two clubs met was back on Sept. 11, 2018, with FIU dropping the contest by a score of 3-1 in Miami. Prior to that, the Panthers won three consecutive matches against the Knights by a combined score of 6-2. 

PANTHER PREVIEW
FIU dominated its exhibition slate with wins over Atlantis University (7-1), Nova Southeastern (4-1), and Stetson (4-0). The Panthers are returning 15 players from last season's roster, including defender Kareem Riley, and attacking midfielders Matias Barraza, Mauro Bravo, and Stephen Afrifa. Riley was named to the All-CUSA Second Team following the spring season, while Bravo earned a Third Team nod. Rasmus Tobinski, considered by FIU to be one of the more dynamic strikers in the country, will help lead the Panther attack.

After seeing goalkeeper Johan Penaranda sign a pro contract with Costa Rican club Municipal Santa Ana, the Panthers will be anchored by Grant Makela in goal. The Panther backline will include returner David Garcia, who earned All-CUSA Third Team laurels last season, and All-Freshman Team honoree Johannes Vedin. A variety of new faces such as Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro, Edgar Aguilar, Matteo Gasperoni, Matthias Lavenant, Philip Hildebrandt, and Julian Hodek are expected to make an immediate impact this fall.

UP NEXT
FIU is back in action quickly with another road contest this Sunday, Aug. 29, against Florida Gulf Coast. Match time is set for 5 p.m. ET in Fort Myers.

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).