Thursday, August 20
Tampa, FL
7:00 PM
University of South Florida
vs
Winthrop
Photo by: Stephen Galvin / University of South Florida Athletics
George Kiefer Returns Home to South Florida Men’s Soccer for Opening Match on Thursday
August 18, 2026 | Men's Soccer
The Bulls host the Winthrop Eagles for the second time in program history, the first match played in Tampa
Joey Johnston/Athletics Senior Writer
TAMPA, Fla. (August 18, 2026) – University of South Florida men's soccer head coach George Kiefer said he remembers the vibes in Corbett Stadium when the Bulls were a consistent national contender. He wants a return to that environment.
"You have the games where you're chasing the ball all night and you're just hanging on,'' Kiefer said. "But once you get this thing going, we're really good on the ball. We're creating chances. Coming across the goal mouth, we're scoring goals.
"Then we're jumping into the crowd. It starts to get electric out there. You feel it. It impacts everybody, even the referees. It's a huge piece of recruiting. It's where we have to be.''
Kiefer, the South Florida coach from 2002-2016 when the Bulls earned 10 NCAA bids (including two Elite Eight appearances), has returned to the Bulls after stints with NC State and Grand Canyon University. Kiefer, who has brought in eight GCU transfers, said he inherited a solid on-field foundation, including senior midfielders Pedro Faife and Tyler Richardson, the team captains.
"Bob Butehorn (who retired after nine seasons with the Bulls) left behind some great pieces,'' Kiefer said. "This team 100-percent has great potential. I like the chemistry. The old guys (returning players) are working well with the new guys (transfers and recruits). But there's another piece we need to get squared away. I consider it as important as bringing in a forward or a goalkeeper or a center back. It's a huge piece of our program.''
It's the fan support. Kiefer said he hopes to have a raucous atmosphere, beginning with Thursday night's regular-season opener against Winthrop.
Specifically, it's bringing back a supporters group known as the "Goalmouths,'' a rowdy group of students that fill South Florida matches with songs, chants, cheers, drumbeats, nonstop noise and unmatched school spirit. It's similar to "Ralph's Mob'' with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. In their prime, the Goalmouths were an omnipresent part of South Florida soccer, willing their team to victory and creating a constant intimidating or distracting presence for the opponents.
When Kiefer was hired back at South Florida, he saw Holden Reinman, assistant athletics director for event management, who once was a student leader for the Goalmouths.
Kiefer piped right up:
"We're gonna get the Goalmouths going! I'm gonna need your help!''
Reinman said he can't wait. In 2013, Reinman and his Goalmouth buddies drove 18 straight hours through the night to reach Dallas, where the Bulls competed in the initial American Conference Tournament. They slept in Reinman's 2009 Ford Focus at a campsite — "a very college experience,'' he said — and were there for every minute, including South Florida's championship-game victory against UConn on penalty kicks.
They then rushed back to Tampa, so they could join the South Florida players to watch the NCAA Selection Show and learn about the team's NCAA Tournament bid.
How do you explain such passion?
"We probably had a solid 40 guys who were there every game and it would grow up to 100 some nights,'' Reinman said. "That berm was packed. We were chanting and creating lots of havoc. It was just pure love for the program.
"We were students, so we hung out with the players outside of athletic events. The athletes told us, 'Man, you guys bring the noise.' We were always be behind the visiting goalkeeper, just inhibiting their ability to communicate and creating momentum for our team. It was the role of every supporter group at the big-time levels of soccer.''
All of which is music to Kiefer's ears.
"When you get the team incorporated with the student body and that student body gets behind the team, then it really takes off,'' Kiefer said. "Just making your students part of the culture, that takes your program to the next level.
"You're talking about a real impact on the game. You're dealing with players who haven't played in front of those types of crowds. It all plays a real part in winning. The smoke. The constant drumbeat. The sirens going off after goals. The fans going crazy. It's a 90-minute party. That's what we're going to have here.''
Kiefer said his program can't just declare "come to games'' and expect the support to follow. He said the Bulls will have meaningful campus roles whenever possible, whether it's helping freshmen move into dormitories or supporting student events.
"I've experienced what it's like when USF soccer is playing at a high level and the fan support is there,'' Kiefer said. "You know, we had it going good at Grand Canyon. That's a good soccer place. I really thought I would stay there and retire there.''
Last November, Kiefer was amid NCAA Tournament preparations after guiding Grand Canyon to the Western Athletic Conference championship. The Lopes would finish 14-4-5 and reach the NCAA's Sweet 16. During spare moments, he called Rob Higgins, CEO of South Florida athletics, who was searching for a men's soccer head coach after Butehorn's retirement.
Kiefer was prepared to campaign for his former player, associate head coach Armanté Marshall, but Higgins said he was probably learning toward an established head coach. Then Higgins posed a question.
"How do we get you back?''
Kiefer paused.
"I was like, 'Wow, that's interesting,' '' Kiefer said.
Once he considered the possibility, it soon became a reality. Kiefer was eager to return to the Bulls, where he produced a 162-86-51 record with Elite Eight teams in 2008 and 2011.
"Look, I know what Rob (Higgins) can do,'' Kiefer said. "What he did with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission was phenomenal and now at USF, he has an on-campus (football) stadium that's going to help all of us. This athletic department is about ready to explode and I'm happy to be back to be a part of it. Rob wants to win in all sports and soccer means something here, so that's exciting.
"This campus has changed. There's certainly a lot more traffic than there was 10 years ago. But I'll say this. As a player and an assistant coach — both Division II and Division I — I was fortunate to win a national championship. As a head coach, my career has only gotten to overtime of an Elite Eight. There's a lot of hunger to get to a College Cup (Final Four). There's hunger to win a national championship. I don't want to go my whole career without winning a championship. I think we can do that here. We have the right elements.''
Including the fan support.
"The Goalmouths are going to be back in full force,'' Kiefer said. "We're going to have some fun. I can't wait.''
Setting the Stage
The Bulls will look to start the year off right with a win against the Eagles. Last season, South Florida finished 9-3-5, and Winthrop finished 1-12-3.
Note-A-Bulls:
Series History
This is the first time these two squads have met since 1980, when South Florida defeated Winthrop 1-0 in Rock Hill, S.C.
Follow South Florida Men's Soccer
For the latest updates from South Florida Soccer, visit GoUSFBulls.com. Follow the Bulls on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Get your tickets today!
Call 1-800-GO-BULLS (1-800-462-8557) or email BullsTickets@usf.edu to claim your season or single-game tickets. You can also download the South Florida Bulls app on the Android or Apple stores to purchase tickets and parking. Visit USFBullsTix.com for more information.
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.
"You have the games where you're chasing the ball all night and you're just hanging on,'' Kiefer said. "But once you get this thing going, we're really good on the ball. We're creating chances. Coming across the goal mouth, we're scoring goals.
"Then we're jumping into the crowd. It starts to get electric out there. You feel it. It impacts everybody, even the referees. It's a huge piece of recruiting. It's where we have to be.''
Kiefer, the South Florida coach from 2002-2016 when the Bulls earned 10 NCAA bids (including two Elite Eight appearances), has returned to the Bulls after stints with NC State and Grand Canyon University. Kiefer, who has brought in eight GCU transfers, said he inherited a solid on-field foundation, including senior midfielders Pedro Faife and Tyler Richardson, the team captains.
"Bob Butehorn (who retired after nine seasons with the Bulls) left behind some great pieces,'' Kiefer said. "This team 100-percent has great potential. I like the chemistry. The old guys (returning players) are working well with the new guys (transfers and recruits). But there's another piece we need to get squared away. I consider it as important as bringing in a forward or a goalkeeper or a center back. It's a huge piece of our program.''
It's the fan support. Kiefer said he hopes to have a raucous atmosphere, beginning with Thursday night's regular-season opener against Winthrop.
Specifically, it's bringing back a supporters group known as the "Goalmouths,'' a rowdy group of students that fill South Florida matches with songs, chants, cheers, drumbeats, nonstop noise and unmatched school spirit. It's similar to "Ralph's Mob'' with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. In their prime, the Goalmouths were an omnipresent part of South Florida soccer, willing their team to victory and creating a constant intimidating or distracting presence for the opponents.
When Kiefer was hired back at South Florida, he saw Holden Reinman, assistant athletics director for event management, who once was a student leader for the Goalmouths.
Kiefer piped right up:
"We're gonna get the Goalmouths going! I'm gonna need your help!''
Reinman said he can't wait. In 2013, Reinman and his Goalmouth buddies drove 18 straight hours through the night to reach Dallas, where the Bulls competed in the initial American Conference Tournament. They slept in Reinman's 2009 Ford Focus at a campsite — "a very college experience,'' he said — and were there for every minute, including South Florida's championship-game victory against UConn on penalty kicks.
They then rushed back to Tampa, so they could join the South Florida players to watch the NCAA Selection Show and learn about the team's NCAA Tournament bid.
How do you explain such passion?
"We probably had a solid 40 guys who were there every game and it would grow up to 100 some nights,'' Reinman said. "That berm was packed. We were chanting and creating lots of havoc. It was just pure love for the program.
"We were students, so we hung out with the players outside of athletic events. The athletes told us, 'Man, you guys bring the noise.' We were always be behind the visiting goalkeeper, just inhibiting their ability to communicate and creating momentum for our team. It was the role of every supporter group at the big-time levels of soccer.''
All of which is music to Kiefer's ears.
"When you get the team incorporated with the student body and that student body gets behind the team, then it really takes off,'' Kiefer said. "Just making your students part of the culture, that takes your program to the next level.
"You're talking about a real impact on the game. You're dealing with players who haven't played in front of those types of crowds. It all plays a real part in winning. The smoke. The constant drumbeat. The sirens going off after goals. The fans going crazy. It's a 90-minute party. That's what we're going to have here.''
Kiefer said his program can't just declare "come to games'' and expect the support to follow. He said the Bulls will have meaningful campus roles whenever possible, whether it's helping freshmen move into dormitories or supporting student events.
"I've experienced what it's like when USF soccer is playing at a high level and the fan support is there,'' Kiefer said. "You know, we had it going good at Grand Canyon. That's a good soccer place. I really thought I would stay there and retire there.''
Last November, Kiefer was amid NCAA Tournament preparations after guiding Grand Canyon to the Western Athletic Conference championship. The Lopes would finish 14-4-5 and reach the NCAA's Sweet 16. During spare moments, he called Rob Higgins, CEO of South Florida athletics, who was searching for a men's soccer head coach after Butehorn's retirement.
Kiefer was prepared to campaign for his former player, associate head coach Armanté Marshall, but Higgins said he was probably learning toward an established head coach. Then Higgins posed a question.
"How do we get you back?''
Kiefer paused.
"I was like, 'Wow, that's interesting,' '' Kiefer said.
Once he considered the possibility, it soon became a reality. Kiefer was eager to return to the Bulls, where he produced a 162-86-51 record with Elite Eight teams in 2008 and 2011.
"Look, I know what Rob (Higgins) can do,'' Kiefer said. "What he did with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission was phenomenal and now at USF, he has an on-campus (football) stadium that's going to help all of us. This athletic department is about ready to explode and I'm happy to be back to be a part of it. Rob wants to win in all sports and soccer means something here, so that's exciting.
"This campus has changed. There's certainly a lot more traffic than there was 10 years ago. But I'll say this. As a player and an assistant coach — both Division II and Division I — I was fortunate to win a national championship. As a head coach, my career has only gotten to overtime of an Elite Eight. There's a lot of hunger to get to a College Cup (Final Four). There's hunger to win a national championship. I don't want to go my whole career without winning a championship. I think we can do that here. We have the right elements.''
Including the fan support.
"The Goalmouths are going to be back in full force,'' Kiefer said. "We're going to have some fun. I can't wait.''
Setting the Stage
The Bulls will look to start the year off right with a win against the Eagles. Last season, South Florida finished 9-3-5, and Winthrop finished 1-12-3.
Note-A-Bulls:
- George Kiefer returns to South Florida for his 16th season with the Bulls, after spending nine years elsewhere.
- Pedro Faife named to the American All-Conference Preseason Team.
- South Florida returns six players from last year while welcoming 22 newcomers.
- The Bulls have been picked to finish third in the American Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.
Series History
This is the first time these two squads have met since 1980, when South Florida defeated Winthrop 1-0 in Rock Hill, S.C.
Follow South Florida Men's Soccer
For the latest updates from South Florida Soccer, visit GoUSFBulls.com. Follow the Bulls on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Get your tickets today!
Call 1-800-GO-BULLS (1-800-462-8557) or email BullsTickets@usf.edu to claim your season or single-game tickets. You can also download the South Florida Bulls app on the Android or Apple stores to purchase tickets and parking. Visit USFBullsTix.com for more information.
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.
Joey Johnston
Athletics Senior Writer
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Soccer
M/D
/ Men's SoccerFriday, October 17
Saturday, December 07
Wednesday, November 13
Saturday, October 26
