Just ten regular season games remain as the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC begin a two-game road trip looking to solidify their playoff positioning.
Third in the USL’s Western Conference, the Switchbacks first face off against a Portland Timbers 2 team who has struggled mightily in 2016. Just eighteen points sees the Timbers 2 sitting at the bottom of the USL’s Western Conference table with only five wins from their opening nineteen matches. Only the Tulsa Roughnecks FC, also with eighteen points, trail the Timbers 2 in the standings – by way of a league tiebreaker and having conceded more goals.
The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC maintained their footing towards the top of the league standings despite being held 1-1 at Switchbacks Stadium by current conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2.
A strong run of results has seen the Oklahoma City Energy FC vault up the standings in the Western Conference to tie the Switchbacks – although the Energy FC have two games in hand.
The OKC Energy FC will host Sacramento Republic on Tuesday evening at Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City in a match that will have a direct impact upon the Switchbacks’ positioning. An OKC Energy win or tie would see the hosts move above the Switchbacks, while a Sacramento road victory would send the Republic FC a point clear of Colorado Springs.
Recent weeks have seen the Switchbacks tie the Swope Park Rangers and Whitecaps 2 at Switchbacks Stadium while dominating their guests. The Whitecaps 2 were outshot 27 – 9 by Steve Trittschuh’s squad, but only Miguel Gonzalez was able to etch his name onto the score sheet after a golden assist by Mike Seth. “It was a great goal for us – great composure by Mike. But overall it’s just not going in for us right now,” said Trittschuh immediately after the final whistle against Vancouver on Friday night. “We have to keep working. Portland have good players no matter who they’ll play against us and where they are in the league. Finding ways to take our chances is what it’s all about right now. We need to go regroup because we’ve got to get points off these road games.”
In an unusual twist, Wednesday sees the Portland Timbers organization playing two matches whose kickoffs are separated by just half an hour. Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers will host El Salvadorian champions C.D. Dragón at Providence Park in the opening match in Group B of the 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League at 7:00PM PDT. The Switchbacks and Timbers 2 will begin play at The University of Portland’s Merlo Field at 7:30PM PDT.
“We don’t know who is going to be there from their standpoint, so between now and Wednesday we have to find who’s hungry to score goals for us,” said Steve Trittschuh. “Right now we don’t have that aggressiveness but we’ve got some time before Portland to work. It’s different with their Champions League game, but we’ll be ready for who they play against us.”
Numerous bright spots illuminated the Switchbacks’ post-match gloom following the frustrating tie against the Whitecaps 2, including the display of Rony Argueta. Tasked with providing defensive cover for the Switchbacks’ midfield, Argueta produced a Man-of- the-Match performance against WFC2 that didn’t go unnoticed. “Rony was the best player on this team tonight,” said his Head Coach, Steve Trittschuh. “We need ten more players like Rony right now. He’s the leader of this team. He’s a very important player for us –so steady at keeping our team together and keeping us going forward.”
Also impressing against WFC2 was Switchbacks winger Conor Doyle. On-loan from the Colorado Rapids, Doyle created chances across the Switchbacks’ forward line and forced Whitecaps 2 goalkeeper Spencer Richey into numerous saves.
Doyle, making just his second appearance for the Switchbacks, showed no signs against Vancouver of a player lacking continuity with his new teammates. “This is a really good group of guys here and it’s been great so far,” said Doyle after a sweltering mid-afternoon Sunday training session ahead of the visit to Portland. “We’ve shown in the last few games that we’re a really good team. We should have won [against the Whitecaps 2] but it was a good experience and good to get game time with these guys. I enjoy being out here and can’t wait for the trip. Both games in MLS I started against Portland – it’s a fun city and a great trip to go on so I hope we can get the win out there.”
Switchbacks central defender Josh Phillips made his long-awaited return from injury against the Whitecaps 2, and despite impressing next to Christian Ibeagha, Phillips was disappointed in his return. “I missed my teammates and I want to do all I can to help this team so it felt good to be back and get 90 minutes,” said Phillips before turning his attention to Vancouver’s equalizer. “As a center back I’ve got to do better on their goal. I take responsibility for that and I wish I could do it over again – I can’t let that happen on my end. We are trying to finish the way we started this season and I have faith and know we’ll start scoring in the next few games.”
Timbers 2 have managed just five wins this season for Head Coach Andrew Gregor and saw their last victory on June 4th . T2’s winless run since the early June win against the Swope Park Rangers has seen five losses and two draws – including the July 7th 1-1 tie against the Switchbacks at Merlo Field. The Switchbacks jumped out to an early lead courtesy of a Luke Vercollone goal, only to relinquish a late equalizer to T2’s Kharlton Belmar.
Belmar leads the Timers 2 in assists with 3, while fellow striker Neco Brett tops T2’s goal scoring charts with 4 goals. Portland are by far the lowest scoring team in the USL’s Western Conference and they possess the third-worst goal differential. Defender Marco Farfan, coming off being named to the USL’s 20 Under 20 team, has made 16 appearances for the Timbers 2 this season and has impressed alongside fellow defender Michael Gallagher.
MLS’ Portland Timbers currently sit just outside the playoff places in the Western Conference, although the buzz of Timbers fans in the Rose City was elevated on Monday morning as the Timbers announced the signing of veteran English defender Steven Taylor. Taylor will join fellow countryman Liam Ridgwell in a backline that will no doubt hope to push the Portland Timbers towards a repeat of their 2015 MLS Cup triumph.
The Switchbacks have already taken four points from their two meetings with the Timbers 2 this season and they enter Wednesday’s game knowing their first away victory since May 21st would keep them in the hunt for a top-4 finish. “We did well in Portland last time and we love playing on that field,” said Steve Trittschuh. “It’s time to execute and time to take our chances – that starts Wednesday.”
The Switchbacks will remain on the road after Wednesday’s game, as they’ll travel to face Rocky Mountain rivals Real Monarchs SLC in Sandy, Utah on August 8th .
Just ten regular season games remain as the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC begin a two-game road trip looking to solidify their playoff positioning.
Third in the USL’s Western Conference, the Switchbacks first face off against a Portland Timbers 2 team who has struggled mightily in 2016. Just eighteen points sees the Timbers 2 sitting at the bottom of the USL’s Western Conference table with only five wins from their opening nineteen matches. Only the Tulsa Roughnecks FC, also with eighteen points, trail the Timbers 2 in the standings – by way of a league tiebreaker and having conceded more goals.
The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC maintained their footing towards the top of the league standings despite being held 1-1 at Switchbacks Stadium by current conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2.
A strong run of results has seen the Oklahoma City Energy FC vault up the standings in the Western Conference to tie the Switchbacks – although the Energy FC have two games in hand.
The OKC Energy FC will host Sacramento Republic on Tuesday evening at Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City in a match that will have a direct impact upon the Switchbacks’ positioning. An OKC Energy win or tie would see the hosts move above the Switchbacks, while a Sacramento road victory would send the Republic FC a point clear of Colorado Springs.
Recent weeks have seen the Switchbacks tie the Swope Park Rangers and Whitecaps 2 at Switchbacks Stadium while dominating their guests. The Whitecaps 2 were outshot 27 – 9 by Steve Trittschuh’s squad, but only Miguel Gonzalez was able to etch his name onto the score sheet after a golden assist by Mike Seth. “It was a great goal for us – great composure by Mike. But overall it’s just not going in for us right now,” said Trittschuh immediately after the final whistle against Vancouver on Friday night. “We have to keep working. Portland have good players no matter who they’ll play against us and where they are in the league. Finding ways to take our chances is what it’s all about right now. We need to go regroup because we’ve got to get points off these road games.”
In an unusual twist, Wednesday sees the Portland Timbers organization playing two matches whose kickoffs are separated by just half an hour. Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers will host El Salvadorian champions C.D. Dragón at Providence Park in the opening match in Group B of the 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League at 7:00PM PDT. The Switchbacks and Timbers 2 will begin play at The University of Portland’s Merlo Field at 7:30PM PDT.
“We don’t know who is going to be there from their standpoint, so between now and Wednesday we have to find who’s hungry to score goals for us,” said Steve Trittschuh. “Right now we don’t have that aggressiveness but we’ve got some time before Portland to work. It’s different with their Champions League game, but we’ll be ready for who they play against us.”
Numerous bright spots illuminated the Switchbacks’ post-match gloom following the frustrating tie against the Whitecaps 2, including the display of Rony Argueta. Tasked with providing defensive cover for the Switchbacks’ midfield, Argueta produced a Man-of- the-Match performance against WFC2 that didn’t go unnoticed. “Rony was the best player on this team tonight,” said his Head Coach, Steve Trittschuh. “We need ten more players like Rony right now. He’s the leader of this team. He’s a very important player for us –so steady at keeping our team together and keeping us going forward.”
Also impressing against WFC2 was Switchbacks winger Conor Doyle. On-loan from the Colorado Rapids, Doyle created chances across the Switchbacks’ forward line and forced Whitecaps 2 goalkeeper Spencer Richey into numerous saves.
Doyle, making just his second appearance for the Switchbacks, showed no signs against Vancouver of a player lacking continuity with his new teammates. “This is a really good group of guys here and it’s been great so far,” said Doyle after a sweltering mid-afternoon Sunday training session ahead of the visit to Portland. “We’ve shown in the last few games that we’re a really good team. We should have won [against the Whitecaps 2] but it was a good experience and good to get game time with these guys. I enjoy being out here and can’t wait for the trip. Both games in MLS I started against Portland – it’s a fun city and a great trip to go on so I hope we can get the win out there.”
Switchbacks central defender Josh Phillips made his long-awaited return from injury against the Whitecaps 2, and despite impressing next to Christian Ibeagha, Phillips was disappointed in his return. “I missed my teammates and I want to do all I can to help this team so it felt good to be back and get 90 minutes,” said Phillips before turning his attention to Vancouver’s equalizer. “As a center back I’ve got to do better on their goal. I take responsibility for that and I wish I could do it over again – I can’t let that happen on my end. We are trying to finish the way we started this season and I have faith and know we’ll start scoring in the next few games.”
Timbers 2 have managed just five wins this season for Head Coach Andrew Gregor and saw their last victory on June 4th . T2’s winless run since the early June win against the Swope Park Rangers has seen five losses and two draws – including the July 7th 1-1 tie against the Switchbacks at Merlo Field. The Switchbacks jumped out to an early lead courtesy of a Luke Vercollone goal, only to relinquish a late equalizer to T2’s Kharlton Belmar.
Belmar leads the Timers 2 in assists with 3, while fellow striker Neco Brett tops T2’s goal scoring charts with 4 goals. Portland are by far the lowest scoring team in the USL’s Western Conference and they possess the third-worst goal differential. Defender Marco Farfan, coming off being named to the USL’s 20 Under 20 team, has made 16 appearances for the Timbers 2 this season and has impressed alongside fellow defender Michael Gallagher.
MLS’ Portland Timbers currently sit just outside the playoff places in the Western Conference, although the buzz of Timbers fans in the Rose City was elevated on Monday morning as the Timbers announced the signing of veteran English defender Steven Taylor. Taylor will join fellow countryman Liam Ridgwell in a backline that will no doubt hope to push the Portland Timbers towards a repeat of their 2015 MLS Cup triumph.
The Switchbacks have already taken four points from their two meetings with the Timbers 2 this season and they enter Wednesday’s game knowing their first away victory since May 21st would keep them in the hunt for a top-4 finish. “We did well in Portland last time and we love playing on that field,” said Steve Trittschuh. “It’s time to execute and time to take our chances – that starts Wednesday.”
The Switchbacks will remain on the road after Wednesday’s game, as they’ll travel to face Rocky Mountain rivals Real Monarchs SLC in Sandy, Utah on August 8th .
