MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Three second half goals propelled the No. 5 FIU Panthers past top-seeded Memphis in the semifinals of the 2024 American Athletic Conference Championship on Thursday, November 14 in Memphis, Tennessee.
This marks the second time in three seasons that FIU (6-5-6) will advance to play in The American Championship final and they become the lowest seed to advance to the championship match. The Panthers won the 2022 American Championship in Miami. Memphis moves to 7-7-3 on the season.
Scoring had to wait until the second half when FIU’s Eduardo Mustre scored in the 52nd minute, taking a deflection off a pass to put the Panthers up 1-0, but the lead was short lived as the Tigers answered less than a minute later as Anders Bordoy scored the tying goal.
Mustre would score his second goal of the match in the 72nd minute with a penalty kick. The scoring would continue in the 80th minute for the Panthers as Michael Appiah took a pass from Joao Domingues and used a deflection off a Memphis defender to push it into the net.
The teams combined for 22 total shots, including 11 on goal. Memphis outshot FIU 12-10, but the Panthers held the shots on goal advantage at 7-4.
The Panthers will play No. 3 Charlotte for the championship on Sunday, November 17 at 1 p.m. ET/noon CT on ESPN+.
2024 American Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Championship Schedule
First round at campus sites
Semifinals and final at home site of the No. 1 seed Memphis
(all times Eastern)
First Round – Friday, November 8
Game 1 – No. 3 Charlotte 3, No. 6 Temple 1 | Box Score
Game 2 – No. 5 FIU 1, No. 4 Florida Atlantic 0 | Box Score
Semifinals – Thursday, November 14
Game 3 – No. 3 Charlotte 1, No. 2 South Florida 0 | Box Score
Game 4 – No. 5 FIU 3, No. 1 Memphis 1 | Box Score
Championship Final – Sunday, November 17
Game 5 – No. 5 FIU vs No. 3 Charlotte | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
