MIAMI – FIU men's soccer opens the 2026 season Thursday night, traveling to Omaha, Nebraska, to face the Creighton Bluejays at 7 PM from Morrison Stadium.

Thursday, Aug. 20 at Creighton

• Time / Site: 7 p.m. ET at Morrison Stadium
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• Live Stats
• Presented by Baptist Health, The Official Sports Medicine Provider of FIU Athletics

The Panthers enter their fifth season in the American Conference following a strong 2025 campaign that saw FIU advance to the American Conference Championship match for the second consecutive season and third time in the last four years before falling to eventual champion Florida Atlantic.

FIU opens the 2026 campaign with back-to-back road matches in Nebraska, beginning Thursday at Creighton before traveling to face Omaha on Sunday, Aug. 23. The Panthers then return home for a two-match homestand, hosting No. 2 NC State on Thursday, Aug. 27, before welcoming St. Thomas (Fla.) on Monday, Aug. 31.

Game Preview
Head coach Kyle Russell enters his seventh season at the helm, leading a squad that combines key returners with an influx of impactful newcomers.

FIU returns three Preseason All-Conference selections in forwards Pasquale Capriati and Johan Helan and defender Alfonso Gilleard-Soriano. Gilleard-Soriano paced the Panthers in minutes played in 2025 with 1,498, while Helan earned American All-Freshman honors after ranking third on the team with three goals in 17 starts. Capriati also returns after recording four goals and three assists last season.

In goal, senior Nigel Van Haveren enters his third season in the Blue & Gold. Van Haveren has recorded 117 saves and eight shutouts across 32 matches over his first two seasons. Florian Grollmann also returns after being part of the Panthers' squad in 2025.

The midfield features returning experience in Leonardo Consoloni, who appeared in 18 matches last season and ranked second on the team with four assists.

FIU welcomes 20 newcomers from 11 countries, including several players with collegiate experience. Leading the attack is graduate student Santi Possu, who transfers to FIU from Concord following a record-setting 2025 season. Possu ranked among the top goal scorers in Division II with 13 goals in 16 matches and earned United Soccer Coaches First Team All-America and All-Atlantic First Team honors. NAIA First Team All-American Miquel Gelabert and German native Kayhan Sayman add additional experience to the front line, while freshman Sergio Perello joins the Panthers with experience from the Inter Miami CF Academy.

The midfield features a group of experienced transfers led by attacking midfielder Owen Barnett, who joins FIU from Hofstra after serving as a captain during the Pride's 2025 run to the NCAA Sweet 16. South Florida natives Jad Benjelloun and Thomas Sellwood return home after beginning their collegiate careers in the Northeast. Benjelloun was part of St. John's NCAA Tournament Team, while Sellwood appeared in 16 matches for Seton Hall last season.

Martin Piedeleu adds another experienced presence after earning MAAC Rookie of the Year honors at Siena in 2025. He recorded seven assists while playing 1,530 minutes as part of the Saints' MAAC Championship run. Salamanca CF product Raul Carrasco also adds depth, while freshman Benjamin Watt rounds out the midfield newcomers.

On the backline, Cologne, Germany, natives Finn Bauens and Mats Vogel are expected to anchor the defense alongside Italy's Michele Ballanti and New Hampshire transfer Matteo Piccardo. Piccardo served as a captain for the Wildcats in 2025, while Miami native Mateo Stickler adds further depth to the defensive unit. Diego Sanchez enters his third season with the Panthers after a breakout 2025 campaign in which he appeared in 18 matches and recorded two assists.

Scouting the Opponent
Creighton opens its 2026 campaign Thursday after an eight-win season in 2025. The Bluejays were picked to finish second in the Midwest Division in the BIG EAST preseason poll.

Creighton returns 16 players from last season, including defender Matthew Reed, who was named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team after appearing in 15 matches in 2025.

Andrija Savic, Brian Edelman and goalkeeper Matthew Hudson also return for the Bluejays in 2026.

Matchup Notes
Thursday marks the fifth all-time meeting between FIU and Creighton, with the series dating back to 1991. The Panthers hold a 1-1-2 record against the Bluejays.

The teams met last season in Miami on Aug. 24, with the Panthers and Bluejays playing to a 1-1 draw.

Thursday's season opener marks FIU's first-ever match at Morrison Stadium in Omaha. The previous four meetings have included two neutral-site contests and two matches played in Miami.

Up Next
FIU closes out the season-opening road trip to Nebraska on Sunday, Aug. 23 as they take on the Omaha Mavericks at 8 PM. It will be streamed live on Midco Sports Plus from Caniglia Field

Baptist Health
The 2026 FIU men'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
 
General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.