MIAMI (Aug. 23, 2022) - Senior forward Stephen Afrifa, junior forward Matteo Gasperoni, and sophomore forward Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro were all named to The American's Preseason All-Conference Team on Tuesday. FIU men's soccer also received one first place vote in The American Preseason Coaches Poll, yet the Panthers were selected to finish third in league standings — tied with Charlotte. 

Afrifa led all Panthers in scoring last season, logging eight goals on the year to go along with three assists and a career-high 19 points. Afrifa started 18 games for FIU in 2021 while leading all Panther attacking players with a total of 1,094 minutes played. The Canadian forward earned All-Southeast Region First Team honors and a spot on the All-CUSA First Team at the conclusion of the 2021 season. On Aug. 16, Afrifa was named to the United Soccer Coaches Player to Watch list for the 2022 season.

Dos Santos Monteiro, the reigning Conference USA Freshman of the Year, enjoyed a dazzling rookie year in which he finished second on FIU with 15 total points, including seven goals and one assist. Within Conference USA, Dos Santos Monteiro finished the regular-season ranked third in scoring, while pacing the conference in all major offensive categories among freshman. The freshman from Portugal logged 1,063 minutes on the year while playing in all 18 games for FIU and recorded 39 shot attempts with 11 shots placed on-target. Dos Santos Monteiro also earned a spot on the United Soccer Coach All-Southeast Region Second Team at the end of the 2021 campaign. 

Gasperoni appeared in 17 games in FIU's defensive midfield while making 16 starts and recording a total of 1,206 minutes. Gasperoni logged five points, including two goals and one assist, while also firing 14 shot attempts including seven on-goal. Gasperoni caught fire near the end of the season, scoring in FIU's victory over No. 1 ranked Marshall to win the C-USA regular-season title on Nov. 5, then scoring again on Nov. 21 against Wake Forest in the NCAA Tournament Second Round. The Italian stalwart earned a selection to the All-Southeast Region Third Team, All-CUSA First Team, and C-USA All-Tournament Team in 2021.

FIU, currently ranked No. 18 nationally in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll, slotted in at third in The American's preseason poll behind an unranked UCF squad that was voted to finish second in the league standings. The Panthers dominated UCF by a score of 4-0 last year in the 2021 season opener in Orlando. Tulsa, ranked No. 11 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll and The American's reigning 2021 league champion, was selected to finish first overall in the standings. UCF and Charlotte each received zero first place votes apiece. 

The No. 18 ranked Panthers open their season this Thursday, Aug. 25, at FIU Soccer Stadium against a top Akron program. First kick is slated for 7 p.m ET.

PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1	Tulsa (9)	81
2	UCF	66
3	FIU (1)	60
	Charlotte	60
5	SMU	58
6	South Florida	36
7	Memphis	31
8	FAU	27
9	Temple	19
10	UAB	14

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