USF Athletics

Bulls' Spring Schedule Was Packed With Next-Level Opponents

April 19, 2018

By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
 
TAMPA, APRIL 19, 2018 – Head coach Bob Butehorn is excited about the growth his young USF men's soccer team showed during a spring season that was packed with Major League Soccer, international and United Soccer League matchups.
 
Butehorn's Bulls played against the MLS' New York Red Bulls, Chicago Fire and Philadelphia Union before taking on the USL's Tampa Bay Rowdies along with 2017 Icelandic champion Valur FC, which was a Champions and Europa League qualifier.
 
"It was an outstanding learning experience," Butehorn said. "From our perspective, it has to be one of toughest spring schedules in the country. It was a fantastic opportunity for our players to measure themselves against next-level opponents."
 
With a roster that features only two seniors, Butehorn and his staff are hoping the residual effects from observing and competing against top opponents will pay dividends in the seasons ahead.
 
"These games provided our players with a clear picture of what is required for the next level ," Butehorn said. "Our guys get a firsthand look at the vetting process and how fine the filter is for the professional game"
 
On Jan. 27, the Bulls kicked off their challenging spring slate versus the New York Red Bulls (NYRB), who were 2018 CONCACAF Champions League semifinalists. NYRB's up-tempo, high-pressure tactics provided the young Bulls with a valuable lesson in decision-making and speed of play.
 
USF started February by hosting the Chicago Fire at the USF soccer training facility for a week of their preseason. This gave both the coaching staff and team a fantastic opportunity to observe the training habits of a professional players. It also provided AAC conference freshman of the year Adrian Billhardt a-once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet his childhood hero, Bastian Schweinsteiger.
 
Nearly 2,000 fans filled Corbett Stadium for USF's test against the Fire on Feb. 3 and the fun continued three days later against the Philadelphia Union. Current Bulls enjoyed going up against former USF standout midfielder Marcus Epps, who earned all-conference honors with USF in 2015.
 
"The style and tactics of these opponents were much different than what we face in the college game," Butehorn said. "It's more cerebral and technical in the professional game, which provided our players the opportunity to improve their decision-making and the speed at which they recognize the visual cues in solving the game."
 
USF's spring of learning from the pros continued with a March 9 match against the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL. The Bulls' special spring experience was capped off with a matchup against Valur FC, which participated in the UEFA Europa League, won the 2017 Icelandic title and qualified for the 2018 Champions League.
 

A bird's-eye view of one of our goals last week against the Rowdies. pic.twitter.com/IOkjVCoObq

— USF Men's Soccer (@USFMSOC) March 16, 2018

"It's uncommon for a college program to face this many pro teams, but I believe it's the model we'll continue to try to replicate in the future," Butehorn said. "As our program's culture matures, I think these games will provide equal benefits for USF and the professional teams."
 
Prior to the spring, Butehorn posted a 6-6-4 record in his first run with USF in a 2017 season that saw the freshman-loaded Bulls fight valiantly through a number of injuries. USF's staff has reeled in more talent since their debut season with the program and Butehorn expects the Bulls' brand of soccer to be even better this fall.
 
"Cultivating the proper leadership and culture is critical to any successful organization. It starts with finding the right people that fit our program and university," Butehorn said. "We're impressed with the foundation our current players have provided and look forward to announcing an exciting incoming class to strengthen that foundation. We expect great things from this program in the not-so-distant future."
 
About USF Men's Soccer
The Bulls concluded the 2017 regular season with a 6-6-4 overall record and finished fifth in the American Athletic Conference with a 3-2-2 mark. 
 
Follow the men's soccer team on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.