Colorado Springs Switchbacks Draw Even Against San Antonio FC
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO (September 9th, 2023) – The Colorado Springs Switchbacks battled against San Antonio FC and ended with a final score of 1-1.
With a packed crowd here at Weidner Field, there was intense tension in the air to see which team would score first. With a passing accuracy of 69.5% the boys in black and blue were able to quickly weave in and out the opposing team’s players giving them the opportunity to target the net four times inside the 18 just in the first half.
Going into the second half, San Antonio first made the mark on the scoreboard. In the 71′, #8 Jorge Hernandez quickly passed the ball to #19 Santiago Patino who sent the ball into the net.
With the Switchbacks having four shots on target throughout the second half, the boys were ready to tie the game. In the 84′, #11 Deshane Beckford rocketed the ball towards the net, but San Antonio’s Goalkeeper #1 Jordan Farr blocked the shot off his hands but was unable to secure the ball. Then #44 Marco Rios took advantage of the rebound and flipped the ball into the net.
The Colorado Springs Switchbacks head for the road next week to battle Orange County FC. Then the boys will be back at Weidner Field on September 23rd for Noche Latina night as they go against Sacramento Republic FC! For tickets to that match, and all others, head HERE.
Post Match Quotes:
Head Coach Hogan:
Overall Thoughts:
“Credit to Marco, we are trying to make sure that everything is done well with him, take our time there, but he’s a player. I know it’s not a Tyreek [Magee} banger type goal, but it’s that area that he lives in, and he is like that every day. He deserves another one, and he got us a point, against the champions, and that’s fantastic. The game was not going to be any sort of football game, we knew that we planned for it. I think we had the ball in the air all week, planning for what they were going to do. We went out there with certain personnel that would give us a good bit of fight and they did. They did it. Even getting Duke back late from international duty and seeing the effort he put up was nice. That was a level of commitment that I hope we can bounce into Orange County with now.”
On Chris’ performance:
“The big saves are always delivered by Christian and that’s why we put him in the game. And it wasn’t that Joe [Kuzminsky] did anything wrong, it’s just that we had a string of games without any points. The idea in talking with Calle [Brown] the goalkeeping coach was that some of those big saves that Christian can make he’ll make tonight, and he did.”
Christian Herrera:
On making several big saves in his first game back in the starting lineup:
“I am just thankful. The last month and a half has been really hard on me, a lot of personal things, and a lot of difficult situations. I am just really thankful to be back out here.”
On being ready after several games off:
“It’s a call to responsibility and a response to a challenge. Obviously, the results haven’t been great as of late, but again I am just thankful to get the chance again, and hopefully get it again, even if not just supporting the team however I can.”
On the fans and the support at home:
“Amazing. Surreal. What I heard from the crowd after the double save and the support from them, its beyond words. I just missed it so much, and it has just been so difficult lately, I am just so thankful, so thankful.”
Marco Rios:
On getting back on the scoresheet:
“Feels amazing. I love contributing to the team and having that opportunity. Getting a point tonight is huge for us.”
On what he thought when the ball went into the net:
“For a second I thought it was getting cleared, but when I looked up the defender cleared it into the top of the net, I thought ‘oh that’s my goal’ it felt great.”
