Live Updates: No. 5 Alabama Soccer vs. Miami

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— For Alabama soccer, a rise in the rankings has taken nothing off the stakes or preparation for Thursday night's match with Miami. There's a little extra motivation, in fact, because Miami is one of the only squads in recent memory which owns a win over the No. 5 Crimson Tide.

In 2022, the Hurricanes defeated Alabama in a 1-0 match in Coral Gables. The Crimson Tide's response was nothing short of memorable, but it hasn't had a chance to avenge that result until now.

Alabama has had its best start to a regular season of the decade (4-0), most recently featuring a 2-1 win over the first ranked opponent on the schedule against Memphis. The Crimson Tide has only been getting better. Miami has yet to play a match outside its home state. That ends Thursday. As first road tests go, there are easier ones. However, the confidence is there for the Hurricanes, knowing it can be done. Only three teams defeated Alabama last fall, and one of those three lost the first match between the teams in the regular season. Miami was able to hold the country's top scoring unit back from the scoreboard.

Miami didn't upend anything with a victory on home soil in 2022, but the opposite is true if it wins again in 2023. Revenge is part of the M.O. for the Crimson Tide, but the players and staff are aware that it takes the appropriate preparation to prevent a repeat of last year.

See Also: