The winner of the match between the Bulls and Mustangs will head to the AAC Championship on Sunday.
MATCH 17 | THU. NOV. 10, 2022 | 4 P.M. | FIU SOCCER STADIUM, MIAMI, FLA.
WATCH LIVE | LIVE STATS | AAC TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
NO. 3 SEED USF BULLS | 7-5-4
Last Game: Nov. 10, vs. Charlotte, W, 2-1
Next Game: AAC Finals, Nov. 13, 1 p.m. (if nec.)
Head Coach: Bob Butehorn
Career Record: 171-137-41 (20th season)
At USF: 41-39-13 (Sixth season)
NO. 2 SEED SMU MUSTANGS | 10-4-1
Last Game: Nov. 2 vs. Tulsa, W, 3-2
Next Game: AAC Finals, Nov. 13, 1 p.m. (if nec.)
Head Coach: Kevin Hudson
Career Record: 89-36-28 (Eighth Season)
At SMU: Same
By Joey Johnston
The possibilities seem enormous if the USF men’s soccer team can continue its late-season surge by defeating the No. 2-seeded SMU Mustangs on Thursday afternoon in the American Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals at Miami’s FIU Soccer Stadium.
If the No. 3-seeded Bulls (7-5-4) can defeat the Mustangs (10-4-1), they would be one victory away from the program’s first conference title since 2013 (a championship-game matchup against the other semifinal winner — either No. 1 FIU or No. 5 Memphis — would await on Sunday). That would also mean the opportunity to play for the AAC’s automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
But a semifinal triumph against SMU alone would give USF a strong argument for an NCAA at-large bid.
Either way, USF’s Thursday game carries huge stakes as the Bulls seek the program’s first NCAA bid since 2019 and its 22nd appearance overall.
USF has a four-game winning streak since being defeated 3-1 at SMU on Oct. 21.
The Bulls began 0-3-1 — with no goals scored — but the start included games against rigorous nationally ranked opponents such as North Carolina and Washington.
“Our schedule was very, very tough and that was by design,’’ USF coach Bob Butehorn said. “When you play great opponents, you learn how to handle tough games and it gets you prepared for the postseason. As tough as the first few games were, I think there were definite benefits.’’
Down the stretch, the Bulls have been clutch performers.
“In the preseason, we knew the potential of the group,’’ USF sophomore forward Oscar Resano said. “Of course, it’s frustrating when you can’t score a goal, but we knew we’d work out of it. When you get your confidence going, it seems like the sky’s the limit.
“It’s important to get off to a good start. But it’s even more important to play well at the end of the season and get a shot (at the postseason). I think we’re going to put ourselves in a position to accomplish our goals.’’
About USF Men’s Soccer
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USF Men’s Soccer competed in the school’s first ever intercollegiate athletic contest on Sept. 25, 1965, beating Florida Southern 4-3. Since then, the oldest program on campus has built a winning tradition, claiming 14 conference championships and making 21 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 3 trips to the elite eight.
The program also has a strong reputation within the professional game and boasts 29 MLS draft picks. Notable alumni include two-time MLS Golden Boot winner Jeff Cunningham, USA 1994 World Cup star Roy Wegerle, and 2013 MLS Cup winner Dom Dwyer.
The Bulls have advanced to the postseason in 18 of the past 20 years, including 12 NCAA Tournament appearances during that period.
The University of South Florida men’s soccer team was well represented on the AAC postseason All-Conference Team in 2021 with four players earning honors. Highlighting the Bulls’ honorees was the American Athletic Conference Co-Goalkeeper of the Year, Kazuna Takase, along with first-team selection Shion Soga. In addition, Takase was also selected to the All-Conference Second Team along with Salvatore Mazzaferro, and Josh Gomina was named to the AAC All-Rookie Team.
–#GoBulls –
