MIAMI (Apr. 12, 2022) - FIU men's soccer alumni
Mauro Bravo and
Owen Green recently signed professional contracts, with Bravo joining Orlando City B of the MLS Next Pro and Green joining Tormenta FC of USL League One.
Bravo and Green mark the third professional signings, along with goalkeeper Johan Penaranda of Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC, coming from the pipeline of FIU since 2021 Conference USA Coach of the Year
Kyle Russell took over the program.
"I am so very proud of both of these guys adding to the long standing tradition of FIU players signing professional after college," said Coach Russell. "They are both special people and players in their own right. I am happy that professional teams have taken notice to that as well."
"This signing means the world to me," said Bravo. "I came to the United States to follow my dream of playing professional soccer and getting a college degree at the same time, and I achieved both of my goals. This is just the beginning. FIU, with its coaching staff, the players, and the people that support the program, led me to where I am now and I will always be grateful and thankful. Paws up, and Panther for life!"
Bravo is competing with Orlando City B, the lower division affiliate of MLS club Orlando City SC, and one of the founding members of the MLS Next Pro. The MLS Next Pro is a 21-team league in its inaugural season which looks to act as an upward transitional stepping-stone between its parent MLS senior teams.
"This signing means everything to me," said Green. "It's always been my goal to become a professional soccer player, but it wouldn't have been possible without the help from my teammates, coaches, and everyone at FIU. They supported me and made me a better player and person everyday and I can't thank them enough."
Green spent time with Tormenta FC II last summer in 2021, before signing this spring with parent club Tormenta FC of the USL League One. The USL League One, like the MLS Next Pro, competes within the third tier of the American soccer pyramid.
Bravo, who helped FIU win a 2021 Conference USA regular-season title last fall, was with the Panthers for two seasons and appeared in 23 games with 14 starts while recording 16 points from the attacking midfield position. The product of Madrid, Spain garnered All-CUSA Third Team honors, a C-USA Offensive Player of the Week award, and two National Team of the Week accolades along the way.
Green, who graduated after the 2021 Spring COVID season, appeared in 51 games including 32 starts during his four-year Panther career and logged a total of 2,952 minutes with 11 points. A local native of Miami, and an alumn of Doral Academy, Green was a mainstay in the FIU backline and helped the Blue & Gold amass a 33-19-10 record throughout his successful stint as a Panther.
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