In recent years, UCF, SMU, and Memphis have been at the top of the pile in Conference USA men’s soccer, but that is about to change.

The three programs will be jumping ship from Conference USA to the Big East for all sports in 2013.

“The biggest challenge is going to be new opponents,” UCF head coach Bryan Cunningham told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “We are very comfortable in this league. The Big East is going to be a whole new obstacle with new stadiums and different styles of play.” Cunningham said that the Knights stuck with their schedule for the 2012 season, and did not add any extra Big East teams to ease into the transition.

“I think the biggest challenge is going to be the unknown – new opponents, new surroundings, and new environments,” SMU head coach Tim McClements told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “When you are in a conference for as long as we have been in Conference USA, you get used to the rhythm, you know where to stay, the conditions, etc. There is a lot you don’t know about another conference.”

Read the rest: College coaches talk realignment | College Soccer News