In one of the more unique storylines of the UEFA Europa Conference League's early rounds, two former SIMA Academy standouts found themselves on opposite sides of a dramatic two-legged tie that ended in penalty shootout heartbreak for one and triumph for the other.
Benji Michel (SIMA Class of 2016) and Andre Shinyashiki (SIMA Class of 2015), both products of the elite soccer development program at Montverde Academy, competed against one another in the second qualifying round of the 2025–26 UEFA Europa Conference League. The two players, who once trained on the same Florida fields as teenagers, now met as professionals with high European stakes on the line.
The tie featured Finnish champions HJK Helsinki, with Michel starting as a forward, and Bulgarian club Arda Kardzhali, who brought on Shinyashiki as a second-half substitute in the second leg.
The first leg, played in Bulgaria on July 24, ended in a scoreless draw. A week later, the two clubs met again at Bolt Arena in Helsinki, and the drama unfolded.
After 120 minutes of end-to-end football and a 2-2 deadlock, the match was decided by penalties. Michel, who had featured prominently in regulation time, stepped up but missed his shot in the shootout. Moments later, it was Shinyashiki's turn. His calmly converted penalty sealed a 4-3 shootout win and sent Arda through to the next round.
"It was an amazing experience playing against an MVA alumn at such a high level, the atmosphere was incredible and incredible to see someone you used to play in high school with", said Shinyashiki.
"Professional football in Europe there is a lot more pressure because of relegation and promotion, it's always high stakes. The quality where i have played is like MLS but MLS has the star power that only a lot of money can attract."
Shinyashiki added, "Work hard consistently and never give up, when I arrived at sima I was in the 3rd tier team, I worked my way onto the first team, then got a full ride to college, there I outworked everyone and only on my last year I was able to turn pro. It is a long process of years of work, not weeks or months."
Both players took different paths to this European showdown. Michel, after graduating from SIMA in 2016, starred at the University of Portland before joining Orlando City SC in MLS. He signed with HJK earlier this year and has been a key part of their squad.
Shinyashiki, a year older, made his name at the University of Denver and became MLS Rookie of the Year with Colorado Rapids in 2019. After a stint with Charlotte FC, he made the move to Europe, having a stint with Netfci in Azerbaijani before joining Arda Kardzhali, looking to revitalize his career on the international stage.
Their meeting underscores SIMA's growing global footprint. The program, known for producing elite collegiate and professional talent, now boasts alumni not just in the MLS but across Europe's competitive leagues.
As Michel and Shinyashiki continue their careers overseas, their Europa clash will serve as a reminder of just how far SIMA players can go and how sometimes, they might even meet again, on the opposite side of the pitch.
