Miami-Dade College men’s soccer team start with reigning national champs again

For the second straight year, Miami Dade College’s men’s soccer team is opening its season against the reigning junior-college national champion.

Last season – MDC’s first soccer campaign in 36 years – coach Giuseppe DePalo led the Sharks to a 1-0 win over 2023 national champion Monroe (New York).

This season – on August 21 at Indian Hills – the Sharks will challenge 2024 national champion Iowa Western.

“We want to be challenged by as many national powers as possible,” DePalo said. “We want to test ourselves.”

The MDC Sharks passed most of their tests last year as they finished 13-5-2, reaching the Sweet-16 round of the national playoffs before losing 2-1 to Arizona Western in double overtime.

This season, the Sharks appear to be even better as they return nine of 11 starters. Their 34 rostered players are split evenly between returners and newcomers.

“We have a good balance,” DePalo said. “We have experienced players, and we have added an influx of hungry young guys.”

MDC’s strongest position is at forward, where the Sharks return first-team All-American Facundo Ochoa and second-team All-American Edoardo Duchini.

Ochoa was also named the 2024 Southern Conference Player of the Year after scoring 13 goals in 20 games.

DePalo said Ochoa received several offers to jump to NCAA Division I soccer but opted to return for his final year at MDC.

“If he has another great season,” DePalo said, “he can have some of the best teams in the nation after him.

“Facundo is a finisher. What’s amazing about him is how composed he is when he gets his opportunities to score.”

Duchini, meanwhile, is a 6-footer – five inches taller than Ochoa.

“They play off each other well,” DePalo said. “Duchini is a pain to play against because he is so strong. He’s built like a train. He holds the ball, draws defenders and opens things up for (Ochoa), who is slippery like an eel.”

As good as Ochoa and Duchini are, the Sharks have two more forwards challenging them for playing time: sophomore Cheick Dounkasse, who scored eight goals in half a season before suffering a torn hamstring; and freshman Nicolo Liburdi.

But it’s not just the forward position. DePalo said he is at least two-deep at every position – a major improvement over last year in terms of depth.

Goalie is another example.

Samuel Cavo, who made third-team All-America last year, is being challenged by freshman Nicolo Sgura.

“Samuel is 6-foot-1 with long arms,” DePalo said. “He has the. body of a pro goalie.

“Nicolo is 5-10 but extremely quick. He’s good with his feet and helps us build from the back.”

Another player to watch is 6-4 defender Kalani Mullins, a freshman from New Zealand.

“He’s exactly what we needed,” DePalo said. “He’s tall, smart, athletic and good on the ball. He should be able to slot into our starting 11.”

Mullins is one of 16 foreign-born players on the team. There are eight players from Italy; three from Argentina; two from France; and one each from Brazil; the United Kingdom and, as mentioned, New Zealand.

Of the 18 American-born players, 17 are from South Florida.

Among the Miami-born players on the team are starting midfielders Matteo DePalo, who is the coach’s son; and Lucas DePaula. Both of them have been playing elite-level club soccer for years, and DePaula has even stood his ground against pro players.

So, with all that talent, could the Sharks win a national title this year?

“We think we can compete with everyone,” DePalo said. “We live for this.

“As players and coaches, we are putting every amount of energy into this. Our players and coaches are very committed.”