MIAMI – The FIU men's soccer team kicks off the 2024 campaign on Thursday, Aug. 22 with a night content against the Seton Hall Pirates.
 
Kickoff from the newly named Leyva Family Field at FIU Soccer Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. and it will be streamed live on ESPN+.
 
Thursday, Aug. 22 vs Seton Hall

• Time / Site: 7 p.m. EST at Leyva Family Field at FIU Soccer Stadium
• ESPN+ 
• Live Stats

The Panthers enter their third season as affiliate members of the American Athletic Conference.
 
Tabbed to finish second in the preseason poll, FIU finished off the 2023 campaign with a 10-5-4 record, the third straight 10-win season for the program including a berth to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
 
The Panthers are one of just 10 men's soccer teams in the nation with an active streak of three straight advancements to the NCAA's second round or better.

Under head coach Kyle Russell, FIU is 3-1-0 in season openers as they took down Oregon State last season on the road in a 2-1 comeback victory on Aug. 24.

THE SHARK IS READY
Out of the 12 returners on the roster, one pivotal returning piece is senior forward Eduardo Mustre. The AAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year 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.
 
THE BENNY, JOAO, OWEN TRIO IS BACK
Alongside Mustre, FIU brings along three key returners to the squad in Joao Domingues, Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro and Owen Travis.
 
Domingues placed 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.

For a third straight year, senior Dos Santos Monteiro made the Preseason AAC All-Conference Team. A key piece on the attacking line, the forward played in all 19 matches, making 17 starts on the pitch in 2023 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.

NEWCOMERS GALORE
FIU will have a lot of new faces on the roster in 2024 with a total of 13 newcomers.
 
That is led by sophomore goalie Nigel Van Haveren that is expected to be a pivotal piece to the Panthers in the net. Pittsburgh transfer Mathys Lefebvre brings his high level experience in the midfield. Israeli David Houja will be a key addition on the backline while on the attacking line NJIT transfer Enrique Mutsoli has shown promise through preseason.
 
SENIORITY
The Panthers boast one of the more experienced rosters in college soccer. 19 of the 28 players are juniors or older, with four graduate students.
 
NEW TO THE STADIUM
One new addition to FIU Soccer Stadium is the sale of beer.
 
Beer concessions will be sold at all home soccer matches with cutoff time at the 70' mark.
 
WE'RE INTERNATIONAL, SO INTERNATIONAL!
FIU embraces its name with a truly international roster. This season's Panthers have players from 11 different countries.

The USA leads the way with seven players. Mexico each has six representatives, while France has four. Israel and Portugal, have two representatives each.
 
SCOUTING SETON HALL
The Pirates finished off the 2023 season with an 8-6-3 record, including a 3-4-1 mark in the Big East Conference, falling short in the quarterfinal of the Big East Championships.
 
Offensively, graduate student Jared Smith is the leading points returner from last season, producing nine points on five assists and two goals.
 
In net, Seton Hall welcomes in goalkeeper Soren Jensen from Post University and was named the CACC Goalkeeper of the Year in Division II,
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers begin a three-game road swing, taking on the Stetson Hatters on Monday, Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. from DeLand. It will be streamed live on ESPN+.

BAPTIST HEALTH
The 2024 FIU men's and women's soccer season is presented by Baptist Health, the official sports medicine provider of FIU Athletics 
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@FIUMSoccer), Twitter (@FIUMensSoccer), and Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUMensSoccer) for all the latest Men's Soccer news.