FIU Men’s Soccer Head Into Matchup Against Charlotte

Dalton Tevlin/Sports Director

NCAA Rankings were updated after press time and were not updated in this week’s issue of PantherNOW. The current rankings are reflected below. 

Coming off back-to-back wins against Florida Gulf Coast University and Kentucky, 12th ranked FIU will be taking on 10th ranked Charlotte in a conference rivalry. 

This matchup will pit two Conference USA powerhouses against each other in a battle for the top of the conference. 

The Panthers currently are 4-0 in conference play and are at the top of the pack with Charlotte close behind with a 3-0-2 conference record. 

Although the Panthers have the 3rd ranked offense in the country and are currently undefeated, the have yet to break the top 10 in national ranking. While Charlotte’s stellar defense has kept them afloat, the case can be made that the Panthers should be in the conversation for a top-ten ranking.

This will be the biggest matchup of the season for both teams so far. Charlotte took on 16th ranked Kentucky back in September, which resulted in a draw 1-1. 

The argument can be made that the Panthers have had the tougher schedule thus far and the offensive stats for the Panthers should get them some recognition as one of the most dangerous teams in the country. 

The high-scoring offense for the Panthers will have to prove how explosive they can be against Charlotte’s lock-down defense. 

The matchup will be key as the conference race shakes out throughout the season. 

The Panthers will take on the 49ers Friday, Oct. 18th at 7 p.m. at the FIU Soccer Stadium. 

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