The FIU men’s soccer team’s 2025 roster might be its best yet

The FIU Panthers men’s soccer squad, which has reached at least the second round of the NCAA Tournament for three of the past four years, appears headed for another big season.

FIU begins its season on Thursday against visiting Omaha.

Veteran coach Kyle Russell returns eight of 11 starters from last year, including star goalie Nigel Van Haveren of Holland; lock-down defender Owen Travis from Georgia; and standout forwards Michael Appiah (Ghana) and Eduardo Mustre (Mexico).

The return of Appiah is the most pleasant surprise for Russell. Appiah was drafted last year in the third round by Inter Miami. However, Appiah suffered a sprained ankle two weeks prior to the season, and Inter Miami decided not to sign him.

It’s a shame because Appiah had said that getting drafted was a “dream come true for somebody like me who comes from a small village in Ghana.”

But, fortunately for Appiah, he had one year of college eligibility remaining, and he was able to return to FIU.

“I’m still in shock,” Russell said of Appiah’s return. “We recruited a whole new team expecting Mikey not to be here. Now he’s the cherry on top.”

Appiah is now healthy. He scored four goals last year, ranking second on FIU to Mustre, who had five.

Mustre has looked better than ever this fall, scoring in every exhibition game despite playing just one half.

“He’s one of the best goal-scorers in the country,” Russell said of Mustre, who plays as a central striker, with Appiah on a wing.

On defense, Van Haveren and Travis have drawn the attention of pro scouts, similar to Appiah and Mustre.

“Owen is a no-nonsense, bully, enforcer, center back,” Russell said. “He makes (Van Haveren’s) job easier.”

Van Haveren started 16 of FIU’s 18 games last season, leading the American Athletic Conference in saves (63) and save percentage (77.8). His 63 saves are the most by an FIU goalie since 2019, and he went 6-5-4 with a 1.18 goals-against average. FIU went 0-1-1 in the two games he did not play.

“Nigel is a guy we trust,” Russell said of Van Haveren, who is a big goalie at 6-6 and 220 pounds. “He has great length and technical ability with his feet.

“What makes him special is that he’s capable of making one or two game-changing saves per game.”

As for the players FIU lost from last season, defender David Houja and midfielder Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro are at the top of the list. Houja was the league’s 2024 Co-Freshman of the Year. Monteiro, who is from Portugal, was named first-team All-AAC.

Houja, a native of Israel, signed a contract with a pro team back home.

Monteiro, who scored three goals last season, is trying out for a pro team (Lexington, Kentucky) in the United Soccer League.

Among FIU’s top freshmen this year are Emilio Maldonado Frei, a 6-foot-2 midfielder from Switzerland and 6-3 forward Johan Helan (France).

Russell said Frei could be “the missing piece” this year because of his extraordinary composure on the pitch.

Helan, meanwhile, he is fast that he has apparently impressed FIU football coach Willie Simmons, who visited soccer practice last week.

“I told (Simmons), ‘Stay away!’” Russell said with a laugh.

Overall, FIU is taller and deeper than last season, and three transfers should also help: defenders Alfonso Gilleard Soriano and Damian McGregor-Wickham; and midfielder Scott Neil.

Soriano’s father is Alfonso Soriano, a former star in Major League Baseball; McGregor-Wickham is from Canada; and Neil is from Scotland by way of Barry University.

“Alfonso fits our hard-working culture,” Russell said. “Damian played Division I soccer at Presbyterian. Neil is dynamic and dangerous.”

Tying it all together is Russell, who is in his sixth season at FIU.

Recently, Russell has received dozens of calls from fellow alumnus of their alma mater after Coastal Carolina’s coach, Shaun Docking, retired last week.

Russell, though, said he has no interest in leaving FIU.

“I told them, ‘Stop calling me,’” Russell said. “I love Miami. I’m winning trophies at FIU. Don’t distract me.”

This story was originally published August 19, 2025 at 9:24 AM.