TAMPA, Fla. (September 9, 2026) – South Florida men’s soccer is set to play at UAB to open American Conference play for the 2026 season. The Bulls (1-4-0, 0-0-0 American) head north to face the Blazers (2-1-1, 0-0-0 American) Friday night, with first kick at 8:00 p.m. ET.
 
South Florida also opened American Conference match play last season facing UAB. In 2025, the match was played at home in Tampa, and the Bulls emerged victorious, 1-0. USF has not lost to the Blazers since 2004. The match was played in Birmingham.
 
Head Coach George Kiefer has never faced UAB while at the helm of the Bulls, but still holds a positive record against the Blazers. During his tenure at NC State, the Wolfpack defeated UAB 2-0 in a match in 2021 at home. Kiefer will look to earn his first victory over the Blazers as head coach of the Bulls on Friday.
 
Setting the Stage
South Florida has started the year 1-4-0 and is coming off a loss at home to UTRGV on Sunday night. The Bulls have not scored a goal in their last three matches, while the Blazers have scored at least one goal in every match so far this season, except the one they lost. Since that loss, UAB has won back-to-back matches.
 
Note-A-Bulls:


South Florida has not lost to UAB since 2004.
This is the first match of American Conference play in the 2026 season.
South Florida faced UAB last year to open conference play and defeated the Blazers 1-0.
George Kiefer is 1-0 against the Blazers all time, with one win coming during his tenure at NC State in 2021.

Series History
South Florida owns the all-time record 14-5-1 and is 5-3-1 while on the road in Birmingham. The Bulls have not lost to the Blazers since 2004, and this is the second season in which the two teams have faced off in their respective American Conference openers.
 
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About South Florida Men’s Soccer

The oldest varsity athletic program at South Florida, men’s soccer competed in the school’s first-ever intercollegiate athletic contest on Sept. 25, 1965, beating Florida Southern 4-3.

The Bulls have claimed 14 conference championships and made 22 NCAA Tournament appearances, including three trips to the Elite Eight. The program boasts 31 MLS draft picks, including two-time MLS Golden Boot winner Jeff Cunningham, 1994 World Cup Team USA star Roy Wegerle, and 2013 MLS Cup winner Dom Dwyer. Three men’s soccer alumni and one coach have been inducted into the South Florida Athletics Hall of Fame: Fergus Hopper, Jeff Attinella, Jeff Cunningham & Dan Holcomb.

On Dec. 10, 2025, head coach George Kiefer was hired for his second tenure at South Florida. Kiefer previously led the Bulls from 2002-16, compiling one of the most successful stretches in program history as the Bulls went 162-86-51 (.627), earned four conference championships, and made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances. Under Kiefer, South Florida advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2008 and 2011. His six NCAA Tournament victories remain the most in program history, and his win total ranks second all-time among South Florida head coaches.