Men's Soccer to face FAU in C-USA Home-Opener

LEXINGTON, Ky.  – The Kentucky men’s soccer team will seek to continue a string of good results against Florida Atlantic on Sunday at 1:05 p.m.

The match will be broadcast live from The Bell on SEC Network+.

Sunday’s match will be Kentucky’s first Conference USA match at home this season.

The setup

Kentucky is 4-2-1 (W-L-D) this season. Perhaps more importantly for Sunday’s context, Kentucky is undefeated (1-0-0) in league play. 

The Wildcats followed up their late 1-0 win in the C-USA opener last Saturday with a 6-0 drubbing of Eastern Illinois midweek. 

The 6-0 result marked the largest win for Kentucky since 2008. UK’s five goals in the second half tied the record for the most goals scored in a single period, done vs. Eastern Michigan in 1991 and Western Michigan in 1996. It marked the fourth-most goals in a game and the fourth six-goal game in program annals.

Napo Matsoso – a MAC Hermann Award Watch List member – has scored two goals in the last two matches. 

He scored a brilliant individual goal against EIU to make it 2-0, after his match-winner at Marshall was a “Goal of the Week” nominee. He has a team-leading three goals this season.

Goalkeeper Callum Irving – also a Hermann Award Watch List member – looks to be finding the form that made him an All-American a year ago. He has now kept three clean sheets this season, and has two in a row behind a slightly tweaked rearguard of Charlie Reymann, Jordan Wilson, Alex Bumpus and Tanner Hummel.

Notably, Stefan Stojkovic and Grant Mook each had braces last match. Central midfielder Hampus Agerstr?m contributed a goal and an assist against EIU.

The opponent

FAU enters the match 0-6-1, having lost 2-1 to Stetson in extra time midweek. FAU lost to FIU in its C-USA-opener.

Kentucky has faced FAU three times prior, having won in 2006 and 6-1 in 2013. Last seasons the two teams drew 0-0 in the C-USA opener in Boca Raton, Florida with neither goalkeeper ever seriously troubled. 

Match logistics

Gates will open at Noon.

The first 250 fans in attendance will receive complementary Stand United Thunderstix.

Tickets are $5 for the general public and $2 for youth and seniors. Fans can call (800) 928-2287 for tickets, or purchase at the ticket window at The Bell. 

Kentucky’s 555-plus season ticket holders can wear their 2015 Kentucky Soccer scarves to gain admission.

Parking for the match is first come first served located outside the stadium’s main entrance. Overflow parking will be available above the soccer practice field as directed by UK event staff.