What to watch for in two big upcoming games for FIU football, soccer
It’s a monumental week for FIU football and FIU futbol.
The Panthers football team (4-5 overall, 2-3 Conference USA) has a homecoming game against Liberty (4-5, 3-2) set for Saturday at 5 p.m. A loss would severely damage FIU’s shot at getting to six wins and becoming bowl eligible.
FIU’s fourth-seeded men’s soccer team (7-8-2) will visit top-seeded Charlotte (8-4-3) in the American Conference semifinals on Wednesday at 7 p.m. A loss would likely end FIU’s season.
Also, it will be cold in Charlotte on Wednesday night with a low of 39 degrees.
Here are Five Things to Watch for regarding FIU football and soccer:
1. MUST WIN
Given that FIU’s football team figures to be heavy underdogs when it plays C-USA leader Jacksonville State (6-3, 4-0) on Nov. 22, the Panthers’ easiest path to six wins would include victories over Liberty and Sam Houston.
But even the Sam Houston game got tougher over the weekend as the Bearkats snapped an eight-game losing streak on Saturday with a 21-17 win over host Oregon State.
2. SCOUTING LIBERTY
The Flames went a combined 21-5 the past two years with Kaidon Salter at quarterback.
But when Salter transferred to Colorado for the 2025 season, the Flames took a hit.
Ethan Vasko, a transfer from Coastal Carolina, is the new QB, and he has completed 58.9 percent of his passes for 200.3 yards per game, eight touchdowns and six interceptions. He has also run for 219 yards and five TDs.
At running back, Quinton Cooley, who had two straight years with more than 1,200 yards, graduated. He has been replaced by Georgia Tech transfer Evan Dickens (738 yards, 5.8 average, 9 TDs).
3. QB DECISION
FIU coach Willie Simmons will have to determine if Keyone Jenkins – who missed last week’s game due to a groin injury – is ready.
If not, Simmons will start Joe Pesansky, who started his first FBS game last week and led FIU to a 56-30 win over Middle Tennessee State.
Pesansky in that win accounted for a program-record five TDs – four passing and one running – and on Monday was named C-USA’s Offensive Player of the Week.
4. TOUGH TASK
FIU’s soccer team is just 1-7 on the road this season. Charlotte is 6-1-1 at home.
However, the teams played just once this season, and host FIU won that contest, 1-0, on Oct. 24. Senior defender and team captain Owen Travis got that goal.
Travis and senior forward Eduardo Mustre (team-high six goals) both made second-team all-conference. In addition, forward Johan Helan made the All-Freshman team.
Kyle Russell, who is in his sixth season as FIU’s coach, is 5-2-1 against Charlotte during that span. However, Charlotte ended FIU’s season last year with a 2-1 overtime win in the league championship game.
Still, FIU won’t lack for confidence against Charlotte.
“We have proven to be a thorn in their side,” Russell said. “We enjoy playing tough teams.”
5. HEROIC PERFORMANCE
Panthers defender Alfonso Gilleard-Soriano, a junior-college transfer who is playing his first season with FIU, waited all season for his first goal, and he finally got it on Friday night to keep his team’s season alive.
Gilleard-Soriano’s goal – which came in the game’s 65th minute – was the only tally in FIU’s 1-0 Conference USA quarterfinal win over Missouri State. Gilleard-Soriano also cleared a ball off the line that likely would’ve tied the score late in the game.
“He was the man of the match,” Russell said. “(On his goal), we missed a header, and the ball went straight to Alfonso. A lot of kids blast that ball over the net. But Alfonso had great technique, and he nearly kicked it through the net.”
Gilleard-Soriano is the son of former baseball star Alfonso Soriano, who slugged 412 homers in his big-league career. Soriano was also a seven-time all-star, led the American League in steals in 2002, and he won four Silver Slugger awards.
As for Gilleard-Soriano, he started this season on the bench before earning a starting spot. Since then, he’s shown versatility, playing three of the four spots on defense.
Russell said Gilleard-Soriano rarely talks about his famous father.
“He grew up in Panama with his mom,” Russell said. “His dream is to play for Panama’s national team.”
Gilleard-Soriano’s mom still lives in Panama, and his father is in Tampa.
“Alfonso is building a stronger relationship with his dad,” Russell said. “But his mom is his hero.”