MIAMI – Men's Soccer forward
Eduardo Mustre was named The American's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, alongside joining three players named to the AAC Preseason All-Conference Team. Also, in voting conducted by the league's head coaches, FIU was tabbed to finish second in the preseason poll as announced by the league office on Thursday morning.
In addition to Mustre, junior
Joao Domingues, seniors
Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro, and
Owen Travis were named to the American Preseason All-Conference team.
Off a standout 2023 season, Mustre led all Panthers in scoring last season, logging 11 goals (most since 2018) on the year to go along with two assists and a career-high of 24 points. Mustre started in all 19 games for FIU in 2023 while leading all Panther attacking players with a total of 1,4984 minutes played. The Mexican forward earned United Soccer Coaches All-East Region team and American Athletic All-Conference first team honors. He becomes the first Panther in program history to be named the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year in the AAC.
After being selected to the All-Conference second team in 2023, Domingues places his name on the Preseason All-Conference team heading into 2024. The rising junior played in 15 games alongside 12 starts in 2023 with three assists, two goals, and seven points on the campaign, logging 1,183 minutes on the pitch.
Dos Santos Monteiro enters his senior season being a key contributor on the attacking line his past three seasons, including his junior campaign in 2023. The forward played in all 19 matches, making 17 starts on the pitch sitting second in goals (6) tying his career-high and notched 14 points. In addition, Bernardo logged a pair of assists, a career-high for the junior and was second on the team in shots (38). The Cascais, Portugal native earned AAC All-Conference Second Teams in 2023 for his contributions.
Travis appeared and started in all 19 games last season anchoring the FIU backline recording a team lead of 1,698 minutes with an assist. In 18 matches, Travis played full 90-minute performances with the Blue and Gold. His play on the pitch earned him AAC All-Conference Second Team. The defense held opponents to 20 goals this year, which is the least given up by FIU in a single season since 2009.
FIU is coming off a third consecutive 10-win season and a third straight berth to the NCAA Tournament, including a matchup in the second round.
The Panthers open up their season on Thursday, Aug. 22 at FIU Soccer Stadium against Seton Hall. First kick is slated for 7 p.m and is set to be streamed on ESPN+.
2024 American Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
- Charlotte (6) 48
- FIU (2) 43
- Memphis 35
- South Florida 29
- Florida Atlantic 25
- Tulsa 23
- Temple 12
- UAB 9
(#) denotes first place votes
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year:
Eduardo Mustre, Sr., F, FIU
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year:
Ian Pilcher, Sr., D, Charlotte*
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year:
Alex Lopez, Sr. Tulsa*
Preseason All-Conference:
Brigham Larsen, Sr., F, Charlotte*
Ian Pilcher, Sr., D, Charlotte*
Jackson Kim, Gr., D, Memphis*
Giorgos Kondylis, So., M, Memphis
Noah Kvifte, Sr., F, Florida Atlantic
Oliver Moller-Jensen, So., M, Florida Atlantic
Joao Domingues, Jr., D, FIU
Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro, Sr., F, FIU
Eduardo Mustre, Sr., F, FIU*
Owen Travis, Sr., D, FIU
Jalen Anderson, Gr., F, South Florida*
Pedro Faife, So., M, South Florida
Alex Lopez, Sr., GK, Tulsa*
Yuki Sekiguchi, Sr., M, Tulsa
* denotes unanimous selection
