The University of South Florida's men's soccer team, coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance and an American Athletic Conference Tournament runner-up finish, wants to reach an even higher level this season.
 
To be the best, you must play the best.
 
The Bulls open the season Thursday night at Pac-12 Conference powerhouse Washington, ranked No. 6 nationally. There are home games against two of the biggest names in men's college soccer — No. 2 Indiana (Sept. 8) and No. 9 Clemson (Sept. 12).
 
Then USF hosts the SMU Mustangs, another NCAA Tournament participant, for a Sept. 22 AAC opener that will be telecast by ESPNU.
 
It's a challenging slate, one of the most difficult in USF soccer history.
 
But it is embraced by Bulls coach Bob Butehorn and his players.
 
"If we're going to grow the sport, this is what we need,'' Butehorn said. "We've got to get these teams to come to us so our fans can see some really good soccer.
 
"I feel we have the type of team that can handle this challenge. We are deep. We can step up to this. This is what we should be doing. As a coach, you wear a lot of hats and one of them is to promote our game. We want high-level competition coming to our stadium, our town and we want fans to rally around that.''
 
USF players are enthusiastically endorsing that concept.
 
"When we first saw all the big names on our schedule, it was very exciting for us,'' Bulls senior defender Sergio Pineros-Mayorga said. "We're not afraid of it. We're going to attack it right away. We know what's ahead of us. We're all excited, ambitious, and ready to go.''
 
"No doubt, it's going to bring a great atmosphere to Corbett Stadium,'' Bulls junior center back Nicolas Scargle said. "We've been preparing all summer for this. Our conference is already very strong and now we've got some big-time non-conference games. We feel like we have the team to take this on.''
  The Bulls (9-7-4) were defeated by top-seeded Kentucky last season in the NCAA Tournament's second-round game. They were positioned for the postseason by a five-match winning streak and reached the AAC title game, where they were upended 2-0 by home-standing Florida International University.
 
USF was strengthened by a rugged AAC, which had five NCAA Tournament teams, including three that earned seeds and first-round byes.
 
"I think the way we finished last season helped set a great standard,'' Pineros-Mayorga said. "From the preseason, we know how to raise that standard. We will not shy away from the tough competition on our schedule. Another way to look at it is they have to prepare for us. We have a very good team.''
 
The Bulls have added 10 newcomers to a returning cast that features junior midfielder Shion Soga (a preseason All-AAC selection), Pineros-Mayorga, Scargle, and a pair of fourth-year players in forward Oscar Resano (team-high six goals last season) and the versatile Brian Schaefer.
  "I think last year was more a case of making them believe,'' Butehorn said. "Now it's a good team in a good conference with a very good schedule. The season is very quick. You've got to go from zero-to-60 in rapid time. But I think we are ready.
 
"Our depth is very strong. They know how to play. The culture and discipline are good. We're pushing them now, trying to get them to a higher level. I think now they are looking around, seeing what we have, and very much in full belief that they are capable of doing big, big things. I don't think you doubt the depth, the talent or the competition. Now it's a matter of putting people in the right places, managing them, letting them play like they're capable and managing egos.''
  Last season, the Bulls learned how to deal with adversity. They began 0-3-1 — without scoring a goal — but found a winning rhythm at midseason.
 
"The beginning was rough,'' Pineros-Mayorga said. "We just regrouped, moved some pieces around and then we finally clicked. We knew, no matter what happened, that we had to stay together. It was like a survive-and-advance mentality. But once we got some momentum, we completely believed in ourselves.''
 
"I don't think we were ever really worried,'' Scargle said. "We had to push through it. Every season usually has some kind of adversity. When you have a strong culture like this program does, you learn how to get through the bumps and bruises.''
 
USF's schedule might include a few bumps, if not bruises.
 
Washington, which last season won its fourth Pac-12 title, is ranked No. 6 in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll. The Huskies reached the NCAA championship game in 2021, falling 2-0 against Clemson, and were an NCAA quarterfinalist in 2019 and 2020.
 
Indiana's program has won eight NCAA championships (second only to the 10 from Saint Louis), the most recent in 2012, and 13 Big Ten Conference titles. Last season, the Hoosiers reached the NCAA title game but lost against Syracuse in penalty kicks.
 
Clemson has won three NCAA championships, the most recent in 2021, and 15 ACC titles.
 
"We always want to have a big crowd and lots of excitement surrounding our program,'' Scargle said. "I remember our NCAA home game (against Hofstra) and it was packed behind the goal and throughout the whole stadium. We want it to be like that every game. We have the kind of team to make that happen.''
  TICKETS 
Fans can purchase men's soccer tickets by calling 1-800-GoBulls or at Ticketmaster.

WATCH THE BULLS
All of South Florida's home regular season matches will once again be streamed live on the ESPN+ platform. Subscriptions for the ESPN+ app is $9.99 monthly or $99.99 annually and can be packaged with Hulu and Disney+ streaming services. A step-by-step guide for subscribing to ESPN+ is located here.
 
Matches will also be broadcast live on USF Bulls Unlimited, with Darek Sharp on the call. Bulls Unlimited is available via the free Tune In app (search "Bulls Unlimited'') and provides static-free quality whether you're listening on your streaming device, laptop, or desktop. 
 
ABOUT USF MEN'S SOCCER
To stay up-to-date on the latest USF Men's Soccer news, follow the Bulls on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram).
 
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 22 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 3 trips to the elite eight.
 
The program also has a strong reputation within the professional game and boasts 30 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 reached the NCAA Tournament 13 times over the past 22 seasons.