MIAMI (Sept. 3, 2021) – The No. 19 ranked FIU men's soccer team is set to finally make its season debut at home this Saturday, Sept. 4, when the Panthers host No. 12 VCU for an epic showdown in Miami.

First kick against the Rams is slated for 7 p.m. ET under the lights at FIU Soccer Stadium. The first 75 attendees that arrive will receive a free FIU dad hat. Doors open at 6 p.m.

The match will be broadcasted live on CUSA-TV. Live stats will be available here.

After an exciting opening week that saw FIU rise to No. 19 in CollegeSoccerNews.com's Top 30 National Poll, the Panthers are set to welcome a formidable VCU squad that enjoyed great success to start the year as well. FIU opened the season with a dominant clean-sheet victory over No. 13 UCF (4-0) in Orlando on Aug. 26, before securing another shutout victory on the road against Florida Gulf Coast (1-0) in overtime four days later.

The Rams toppled No. 7 ranked Wake Forest (2-0) in Winston-Salem to start the season and followed it up with a draw against No. 4 UNC at Chapel Hill. VCU is facing a third consecutive road contest to start the season and will follow it up with a fourth-straight against Conference USA foe Charlotte next Friday.

SCOUTING THE RAMS
The Rams were led in the opening week by senior center back Zeron Sewell and freshman midfielder Damian Gallegos. Sewell helped post a clean sheet against No. 7 Wake Forest despite VCU playing a man down for the last 21 minutes of the match, while Gallegos recorded a goal and an assist in the first two contests.

While VCU has only conceded one goal this season, the Rams have faced a whopping 70 shots from its opponents, including 19 on-goal. Goalkeeper Mario Sequeira has collected 18 saves between the posts for VCU.

FIU BY THE NUMBERS
The Blue & Gold has seen goals from five different Panthers to start the season, with Rasmus Tobinski, Stephen Afrifa, David Garcia, Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro, and Philip Hildebrandt each logging a score. FIU's backliners have shown the ability to generate offense, with center back Garcia and outside back Hildebrandt logging three points apiece thus far. 

Goalkeeper Grant Makela has performed admirably in front of the net, nabbing six saves and allowing zero goals in a full 186 minutes of play. Left center back Kareem Riley has been instrumental in both of FIU's shutouts and shares the team-lead in minutes-played (186), along with Garcia and Makela.

As a team, the Panthers have fired off 41 shot-attempts on the year, including 22 on goal, while facing only 20 and six on the other end.

UP NEXT
The Panthers hit the road again on Tuesday, Sept. 7, when they travel to face North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. Kickoff against the Ospreys is set for 7 p.m. ET at Hodges Stadium.

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).