University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
West Florida
Men's Soccer Hosts West Florida in 2026 Home Opener
8/26/2026 5:27:00 PM | Men's Soccer
August 27, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate vs. West Florida
County University Soccer Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.
Watch: ESPN+
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – After opening the 2026 campaign with a pair of matches on the road, USC Upstate men's soccer returns to Spartanburg Thursday evening as the Spartans welcome West Florida for their home opener. Kickoff from County University Soccer Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m., with the match available on ESPN+.
Thursday's contest marks the first home match of head coach Michael Antoniewicz's second season leading the Spartan program. Upstate enters the match 0-2 after beginning the year with road contests against Georgia State and South Carolina. The Spartans opened the season with a narrow 2-1 setback against Georgia State before falling 4-0 to the Gamecocks Monday night in Columbia.
The home opener begins a new stretch for Upstate as the Spartans look to build momentum before returning to the road for three consecutive matches against ETSU, UAB and Wake Forest. Thursday is one of just five regular-season home matches on the Spartans' 2026 schedule.
Thursday will provide a first look at West Florida as one of the newest programs competing at the Division I level. The Argonauts made the move after closing their Division II era with a Gulf South Conference championship and an appearance in the 2025 NCAA Division II Tournament.
West Florida also enters Thursday searching for its first victory of the season. The Argonauts opened their 2026 campaign with a 3-2 loss against UTRGV before dropping a 3-1 decision on the road against South Florida.
Spartan Notes
- Thursday marks USC Upstate's 2026 home opener after beginning the season with consecutive road matches.
- Upstate enters the contest with an 0-2 record following losses to Georgia State and South Carolina.
- The Spartans' lone goal of the season came in their 2-1 season-opening loss at Georgia State.
- Thursday's match is the first of five regular-season home contests for Upstate in 2026.
- West Florida is in its first season as a Division I program after winning the Gulf South Conference during its final Division II campaign.
- The Argonauts enter Thursday 0-2 after losses to UTRGV and South Florida.
- Thursday begins a quick turnaround for Upstate, which travels to ETSU on Tuesday before continuing its road swing at UAB and Wake Forest.
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