Panther Preview: FIU men’s soccer vs. Temple

Carla Mendez | Staff Writer 

The FIU men’s soccer team looks to defend their American Athletic Conference championship as they face off against the Temple Owls on Saturday, Sep. 16, 2023 in Miami, Florida. 

Last season, the Panthers took home the AAC championship after claiming a 2-0 win over the USF Bulls. This game marks FIU’s first of eight AAC games for the 2023 season.

Returning home from a 2-0 defeat against the No. 5 Akron Zips, FIU holds a 2-2-2 record entering this match.

Struggling to find offense in that game, the Panthers took 14 shots and none of them resulted in points. 

Unable to stay disciplined, they also committed 19 fouls and collected their first red card of the season.

Leading the charge offensively is junior forward Eduardo Mustre, who has made an impact in only his first year on the team, securing three goals and seven points.

Currently on a three game losing streak, Temple holds a 0-3-2 record and are winless through their first five games.

In their most recent game, the Owls took a 7-1 beatdown from the St. Johns Thunderbirds, with sophomore midfielder George Medill scoring their only goal of the game.

When the FIU and Temple last met on Oct. 5, 2022, the Panthers came through with a 3-0 victory.

Asserting their dominance, FIU took 13 shots throughout the game and limited the Owls to only eight.

If the Panthers want to leave this year’s matchup victorious, they must focus on solidifying their defensive strategy while maintaining their potent offensive prowess. 

As the FIU soccer team is set to celebrate their Alumni Night, they will be taking on the Temple Owls on Saturday, Sep. 16, 2023.

Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at the FIU Soccer Stadium in Miami, Florida.

Prediction:

FIU: 3

Temple: 1

Follow Carla Mendez on X: @carladfmendez