The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC begin a three-match homestand this Saturday evening against the Swope Park Rangers as their push for a third consecutive playoff berth hangs in the balance. The 365 Grand Club and Axis Business Technologies will be sponsoring iPad and TV Giveaway as part of Technology Night at Weidner Field. Drawings will take place for fans who visit the season ticket member booth – with an increased chance to win for the earliest arriving supporters.
As of Wednesday morning, the Switchbacks occupy 10th place in the USL’s Western Conference – just two points behind the Oklahoma City Energy FC who currently sit in the 8th and final playoff position. The Energy will face off against Reno 1868 FC at Greater Nevada Field on Wednesday evening, with Switchbacks fans hoping the home team takes all three points as Reno sit in third place with an un-catchable lead over Colorado Springs. Wednesday will also see the Seattle Sounders FC 2 host Phoenix Rising FC. S2 could move to within a point of the Switchbacks with a win, while Phoenix Rising will be looking to improve their playoff standing as they’ve played the fewest games in the Western Conference and already occupy 7th place.
A goal from The Most Interesting Man in the World, Jack Jones, saw the Switchbacks snatch a potentially priceless point against the Seattle Sounders 2 in Tukwila, Washington last Saturday evening as Head Coach Steve Trittschuh’s men fought their way back from going behind just after the 20-minute mark. “It feels excellent – the first one is out of the way,” said Jones about his goal. “I expect a tough game from Swope Park, but we’re backed into a corner. We’ve got a lot more to play for so we’ve got to make that count.”
“Swope Park are coming in with confidence after their performance against San Antonio,” said Trittschuh. “They had a good game, scored five goals, and they’re dangerous. They’ve got good speed up top and their strikers are good players. But in midfield is where they’re really strong. [Christian] Duke is a very good player. But I’m more focused on us. If we can bring the same attitude that we showed in Seattle we’ll be fine. We have to take the effort from Seattle into the game on Saturday and hopefully, that will help us. We need to play our game and press Swope Park and stay compact when we don’t have the ball.”
Swope Park’s five-goal outburst in their comfortable 5-2 win over San Antonio FC at Children’s Mercy Victory Field in Missouri was SPR’s highest goal-output of 2017. Nansel Selbol was named a starter on the USL Team of the Week after the Nigerian forward bagged a brace against San Antonio FC. Teammate and fellow striker Kharlton Belmar made the Team of the Week bench. Belmar scored once against San Antonio, with Filipe Hernandez and second-half substitute Max Rugova also finding the back of the net.
“Swope Park are a really good team – they move the ball well and they’ll be full of confidence this weekend,” said Masta Kacher. “Saturday will be a game-changer for us. We’re home and we have to defend our home. It will take a big game from us and we have to get the win.”
“They’re a great team,” said Diego Gutierrez when asked about Swope Park. “They play good soccer and they’ll come here to win. They’re going to come here and play their game and we need to be ready for that. Swope Park play some of the best soccer in our conference – they’re a fun team to watch and this weekend should be a good game. We have to win it if we want to make the playoffs. We must treat the game like it’s a playoff game. It’s in our hands and it’s our chance to make the playoffs and prove ourselves.”
Eddy Prugh opened the scoring for the Switchbacks on June 21st at Children’s Mercy Victory Field before two second-half goals saw the Swope Park Rangers take all three points with a 2-1 victory. Isle of Man native Liam Doyle scored SPR’s first before a 75th-minute goal from Christian Duke sealed all three points for Head Coach Nikola Popovic’s team.
Between Swope Park’s sticks, starting goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas has so far kept seven clean sheets in 2017 behind a defense that last weekend comprised Colton Storm, Oumar Ballo, Amer Didic, and Tyler Pasher. Mali native Ballo and Canadian Didic occupied the central defensive positions against San Antonio FC, with the Swope Park Rangers starting six players on loan from their MLS parent club Sporting Kansas City. The aforementioned Christian Duke – a local product from nearby Overland Park, Kansas – captained SPR as part of a three-man central midfield alongside Kiwi James Musa and goal scorer Filipe Hernandez.
“They’re a good team and they’re coming in with lots of confidence,” said Davy Armstrong when asked about Swope Park’s runaway win against San Antonio FC. “It’s going to be a difficult game. We always come to play and when times get tough we always perform – especially at home. I believe in the guys and I think we’ll do it.”
“We’ve got to take the end of this season thinking about just one game at a time,” said Trittschuh. “The playoffs are still in reach. The mindset for the players starting this weekend is that we must win – and we all know that.”
Tickets for Saturday's contest start at just $12 and are available here.
The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC begin a three-match homestand this Saturday evening against the Swope Park Rangers as their push for a third consecutive playoff berth hangs in the balance. The 365 Grand Club and Axis Business Technologies will be sponsoring iPad and TV Giveaway as part of Technology Night at Weidner Field. Drawings will take place for fans who visit the season ticket member booth – with an increased chance to win for the earliest arriving supporters.
As of Wednesday morning, the Switchbacks occupy 10th place in the USL’s Western Conference – just two points behind the Oklahoma City Energy FC who currently sit in the 8th and final playoff position. The Energy will face off against Reno 1868 FC at Greater Nevada Field on Wednesday evening, with Switchbacks fans hoping the home team takes all three points as Reno sit in third place with an un-catchable lead over Colorado Springs. Wednesday will also see the Seattle Sounders FC 2 host Phoenix Rising FC. S2 could move to within a point of the Switchbacks with a win, while Phoenix Rising will be looking to improve their playoff standing as they’ve played the fewest games in the Western Conference and already occupy 7th place.
A goal from The Most Interesting Man in the World, Jack Jones, saw the Switchbacks snatch a potentially priceless point against the Seattle Sounders 2 in Tukwila, Washington last Saturday evening as Head Coach Steve Trittschuh’s men fought their way back from going behind just after the 20-minute mark. “It feels excellent – the first one is out of the way,” said Jones about his goal. “I expect a tough game from Swope Park, but we’re backed into a corner. We’ve got a lot more to play for so we’ve got to make that count.”
“Swope Park are coming in with confidence after their performance against San Antonio,” said Trittschuh. “They had a good game, scored five goals, and they’re dangerous. They’ve got good speed up top and their strikers are good players. But in midfield is where they’re really strong. [Christian] Duke is a very good player. But I’m more focused on us. If we can bring the same attitude that we showed in Seattle we’ll be fine. We have to take the effort from Seattle into the game on Saturday and hopefully, that will help us. We need to play our game and press Swope Park and stay compact when we don’t have the ball.”
Swope Park’s five-goal outburst in their comfortable 5-2 win over San Antonio FC at Children’s Mercy Victory Field in Missouri was SPR’s highest goal-output of 2017. Nansel Selbol was named a starter on the USL Team of the Week after the Nigerian forward bagged a brace against San Antonio FC. Teammate and fellow striker Kharlton Belmar made the Team of the Week bench. Belmar scored once against San Antonio, with Filipe Hernandez and second-half substitute Max Rugova also finding the back of the net.
“Swope Park are a really good team – they move the ball well and they’ll be full of confidence this weekend,” said Masta Kacher. “Saturday will be a game-changer for us. We’re home and we have to defend our home. It will take a big game from us and we have to get the win.”
“They’re a great team,” said Diego Gutierrez when asked about Swope Park. “They play good soccer and they’ll come here to win. They’re going to come here and play their game and we need to be ready for that. Swope Park play some of the best soccer in our conference – they’re a fun team to watch and this weekend should be a good game. We have to win it if we want to make the playoffs. We must treat the game like it’s a playoff game. It’s in our hands and it’s our chance to make the playoffs and prove ourselves.”
Eddy Prugh opened the scoring for the Switchbacks on June 21st at Children’s Mercy Victory Field before two second-half goals saw the Swope Park Rangers take all three points with a 2-1 victory. Isle of Man native Liam Doyle scored SPR’s first before a 75th-minute goal from Christian Duke sealed all three points for Head Coach Nikola Popovic’s team.
Between Swope Park’s sticks, starting goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas has so far kept seven clean sheets in 2017 behind a defense that last weekend comprised Colton Storm, Oumar Ballo, Amer Didic, and Tyler Pasher. Mali native Ballo and Canadian Didic occupied the central defensive positions against San Antonio FC, with the Swope Park Rangers starting six players on loan from their MLS parent club Sporting Kansas City. The aforementioned Christian Duke – a local product from nearby Overland Park, Kansas – captained SPR as part of a three-man central midfield alongside Kiwi James Musa and goal scorer Filipe Hernandez.
“They’re a good team and they’re coming in with lots of confidence,” said Davy Armstrong when asked about Swope Park’s runaway win against San Antonio FC. “It’s going to be a difficult game. We always come to play and when times get tough we always perform – especially at home. I believe in the guys and I think we’ll do it.”
“We’ve got to take the end of this season thinking about just one game at a time,” said Trittschuh. “The playoffs are still in reach. The mindset for the players starting this weekend is that we must win – and we all know that.”
Tickets for Saturday’s contest start at just $12 and are available here.
