49ers Selected Preseason Favorites
Defending American Athletic Conference men’s soccer tournament champion Charlotte has been named the 2024 preseason favorite, as voted by the league’s head coaches.
The 49ers were named the favorites after receiving 48 points, including six of the eight first place votes. FIU finished second in the poll with 43 points and the remaining two first place votes, followed by Memphis in third place with 35 points and South Florida in fourth place with 29 points. Florida Atlantic rounded out the top five with 25 points, followed by Tulsa (23), Temple (12) and UAB (9). Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.
FIU’s Mustre Named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
FIU’s Eduardo Mustre started all 19 matches for the Panthers, leading the team in scoring. He finished the season with 11 goals, 24 points and 58 shots. Mustre earned first team all-conference honors, finishing second in The American in goals.
Charlotte’s Pilcher Unanimous Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Pilcher helped guide the 49ers to its first conference tournament title and was named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the 2023 American Athletic Conference Championship. He was selected second team all-conference in 2023. Pilcher started 17 games and anchored a defense that recorded eight shutouts.
Tulsa’s Lopez Selected Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year for Third Straight Season
Lopez has been named Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year for a record-breaking third consecutive season. Lopez, a two-time American Goalkeeper of the Year (2021, 2022), is sixth in American Athletic Conference history in wins in goal (22) and fifth in shutouts (15).
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, AUGUST 22
Temple vs Army (ESPN+)______________________ 6 p.m.
Florida Atlantic at Creighton (FloFC)____________ 7 p.m.
South Florida vs 23/- Seattle (ESPN+)____________ 7 p.m.
FIU vs Seton Hall (ESPN+)_____________________ 7 p.m.
RV/- Memphis vs Lipscomb (ESPN+)______________ 8 p.m.
UAB vs 6/7 North Carolina (ESPN+)______________ 8 p.m.
Tulsa at UNLV________________________________ 11 p.m.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23
Charlotte vs Davidson (ESPN+)_________________ 7 p.m.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25
South Florida vs Mercer (ESPN+)_______________ 7 p.m.
Temple vs Villanova (ESPN+)___________________ 7 p.m.
RV/- Memphis vs Evansville (ESPN+)______________ 7 p.m.
Florida Atlantic vs Omaha_____________________ 7 p.m.
MONDAY, AUGUST 26
FIU at Stetson (ESPN+)_______________________ 6 p.m.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 27
UAB vs Georgia State…………………….. 8 p.m.
All times ET and subject to change
