A chance to close the gap on first place in the USL’s Western Conference is on the line for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC this Saturday as they host Sacramento Republic FC. The second of five consecutive away games for Sacramento Republic, Saturday’s game at Switchbacks Stadium showcases two of the best defenses in the USL.
Sitting in second place, Sacramento Republic have conceded only 17 goals this season – fourth lowest in the Western Conference. The Switchbacks’ defense has been even more frugal, as Head Coach Steve Trittschuh’s men have relinquished just 13 goals through their opening 16 games.
“Sacramento are a good team for sure,” said Trittschuh. “We need to be organized and stay solid defensively in order to take care of the players from Sacramento. The defense is our foundation and we build going forward from there. I told the players that we have to win all eight home games we have left and that should get us into the playoffs. All the home games now are even more important and that starts this weekend.”
“This will be a big game for us,” said Davy Armstrong who has impressed this season in both midfield and defense for the Switchbacks. “Sacramento are a good team, but we need to worry about finishing games off. We need to always stay focused – we can’t let off the gas pedal.”
The Switchbacks enter Saturday’s match after hosting German Bundesliga team Mainz 05 at Switchbacks Stadium in the first ever Freedom Cup. A unique experience for the players involved, Tuesday’s friendly in Colorado Springs lent the Switchbacks an opportunity at improving their mid-season fitness ahead of a daunting run of USL fixtures.
A solitary point was all the Switchbacks could bring home from their most recent USL action – a two-game tour of the Pacific Northwest that saw a 1-1 draw against the Portland Timbers 2 followed by a 2-1 loss to the Seattle Sounders FC 2. “It’s time to challenge our players on who will step up,” warned Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh. “We need to see the desire to win these games and from there we see how it goes. If we can be at our best and attack with speed and stay organized then we will be successful.”
“Even though we had a tough road trip I’m confident that we can come out and get three points,” said striker Saeed Robinson. “We are at home and nobody likes playing against us at Switchbacks Stadium. Sacramento are a good team. I expect it to be a hard and entertaining game, but we need to get back to winning ways and I believe we can do that on Saturday.“
“We came off unlucky – we played very well in Portland but just couldn’t win,” said Davy Armstrong. “It will be great to come back and get the fans behind us and play our style of game.”
Sacramento Republic and the Switchbacks played an August back-to- back in the 2015 season that saw the Switchbacks emerge with an invaluable four points. A 1-0 win at Bonney Field in California’s capital city was followed less than a week later by a wild 3-3 tie at Switchbacks Stadium. The Switchbacks would eventually find themselves leading 3-1 after a lengthy delay for lightning halted the start of proceedings in Colorado Springs. Two goals in the final quarter of an hour saw Sacramento draw level, in a game that hints goals could be on the horizon this weekend.
Saturday’s matchup will be the only time Sacramento Republic FC Head Coach Paul Buckle and his charges face off against the Switchbacks during the regular season, as the Switchbacks are not scheduled to visit Sacramento. Republic FC were unbeaten in six matches at Bonney Field this season before a 3-2 loss at the hands of the Real Monarchs SLC on July 6th .
Six goals were on show as Republic FC and the Orange County Blues FC played to a dizzying 3-3 draw on Sunday evening at Anteater Stadium on the campus of the University of California, Irvine. Defender Mike da Fonte gave Republic FC the lead, before two OC Blues goals pegged back the visitors. Sacramento born and raised striker Cameron Iwasa drew Republic FC level at 2-2 from a corner kick, before Mackenzie Pridham scored in the 83 rd minute to secure the draw for Sacramento.
University of California, Irvine alum Iwasa leads Sacramento Republic FC in scoring this season with six goals, with diminutive midfield maestro Danny Barrera having notched the same number of assists.
A familiar name and face for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC fans this Saturday will be central defender Chris Christian, who played five matches last season for the Switchbacks while on-loan from the Atlanta Silverbacks.
Despite Sacramento’s second-place standing and the individual quality they posses, using the home field advantage of Switchbacks Stadium and maintaining consistent preparation are of paramount importance ahead of Saturday’s clash. “We have to come out against Sacramento just like every other game,” insisted winger Miguel Gonzalez after practice at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. “We have to get wins at home especially in the second half of the season. We need the fans to come out and give us their support – it’s always important to have them here behind us.”
Tensions, familiarities, and rivalries are bound to have softened between Saturday’s opponents with eleven months having passed since the Switchbacks last faced off against Sacramento Republic. Even so, the Switchbacks will be using the fire of leaving five available points in the Pacific Northwest to propel them into this weekend’s game: “Last time we beat Sacramento was a very successful result for us,” said goalkeeper Devala Gorrick. “We’re fired up after the last two games in the league and we know it’s time for us to make a strong statement at home in front of our fans.”
With four goals and an equal number of assists to his name, Mike Seth is producing another tremendously important season for the Switchbacks. Usually employed on the wing, Seth has also seen time this campaign in a central role in support of a striker. Leading the team with the four aforementioned assists, Seth believes the atmosphere of Switchbacks Stadium will help his team register another victory. “It’s good to get home in front of our crowd and hopefully get back on track with three points,” said Mike Seth.
Defense has so far proven the foundation upon which the Switchbacks have found success in the 2016 season. With players like Mike Seth, Marty Maybin, Saeed Robinson, Miguel Gonzalez and the Switchbacks’ captain Luke Vercollone all finding their goal-scoring form, a return to winning ways for the Switchbacks is inevitable. Should it come this Saturday at Switchbacks Stadium against Sacramento Republic FC, the Switchbacks would find themselves leading Republic FC by one point in the Western Conference as the 2016 playoffs edge ever closer.
A chance to close the gap on first place in the USL’s Western Conference is on the line for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC this Saturday as they host Sacramento Republic FC. The second of five consecutive away games for Sacramento Republic, Saturday’s game at Switchbacks Stadium showcases two of the best defenses in the USL.
Sitting in second place, Sacramento Republic have conceded only 17 goals this season – fourth lowest in the Western Conference. The Switchbacks’ defense has been even more frugal, as Head Coach Steve Trittschuh’s men have relinquished just 13 goals through their opening 16 games.
“Sacramento are a good team for sure,” said Trittschuh. “We need to be organized and stay solid defensively in order to take care of the players from Sacramento. The defense is our foundation and we build going forward from there. I told the players that we have to win all eight home games we have left and that should get us into the playoffs. All the home games now are even more important and that starts this weekend.”
“This will be a big game for us,” said Davy Armstrong who has impressed this season in both midfield and defense for the Switchbacks. “Sacramento are a good team, but we need to worry about finishing games off. We need to always stay focused – we can’t let off the gas pedal.”
The Switchbacks enter Saturday’s match after hosting German Bundesliga team Mainz 05 at Switchbacks Stadium in the first ever Freedom Cup. A unique experience for the players involved, Tuesday’s friendly in Colorado Springs lent the Switchbacks an opportunity at improving their mid-season fitness ahead of a daunting run of USL fixtures.
A solitary point was all the Switchbacks could bring home from their most recent USL action – a two-game tour of the Pacific Northwest that saw a 1-1 draw against the Portland Timbers 2 followed by a 2-1 loss to the Seattle Sounders FC 2. “It’s time to challenge our players on who will step up,” warned Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh. “We need to see the desire to win these games and from there we see how it goes. If we can be at our best and attack with speed and stay organized then we will be successful.”
“Even though we had a tough road trip I’m confident that we can come out and get three points,” said striker Saeed Robinson. “We are at home and nobody likes playing against us at Switchbacks Stadium. Sacramento are a good team. I expect it to be a hard and entertaining game, but we need to get back to winning ways and I believe we can do that on Saturday.“
“We came off unlucky – we played very well in Portland but just couldn’t win,” said Davy Armstrong. “It will be great to come back and get the fans behind us and play our style of game.”
Sacramento Republic and the Switchbacks played an August back-to- back in the 2015 season that saw the Switchbacks emerge with an invaluable four points. A 1-0 win at Bonney Field in California’s capital city was followed less than a week later by a wild 3-3 tie at Switchbacks Stadium. The Switchbacks would eventually find themselves leading 3-1 after a lengthy delay for lightning halted the start of proceedings in Colorado Springs. Two goals in the final quarter of an hour saw Sacramento draw level, in a game that hints goals could be on the horizon this weekend.
Saturday’s matchup will be the only time Sacramento Republic FC Head Coach Paul Buckle and his charges face off against the Switchbacks during the regular season, as the Switchbacks are not scheduled to visit Sacramento. Republic FC were unbeaten in six matches at Bonney Field this season before a 3-2 loss at the hands of the Real Monarchs SLC on July 6th .
Six goals were on show as Republic FC and the Orange County Blues FC played to a dizzying 3-3 draw on Sunday evening at Anteater Stadium on the campus of the University of California, Irvine. Defender Mike da Fonte gave Republic FC the lead, before two OC Blues goals pegged back the visitors. Sacramento born and raised striker Cameron Iwasa drew Republic FC level at 2-2 from a corner kick, before Mackenzie Pridham scored in the 83 rd minute to secure the draw for Sacramento.
University of California, Irvine alum Iwasa leads Sacramento Republic FC in scoring this season with six goals, with diminutive midfield maestro Danny Barrera having notched the same number of assists.
A familiar name and face for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC fans this Saturday will be central defender Chris Christian, who played five matches last season for the Switchbacks while on-loan from the Atlanta Silverbacks.
Despite Sacramento’s second-place standing and the individual quality they posses, using the home field advantage of Switchbacks Stadium and maintaining consistent preparation are of paramount importance ahead of Saturday’s clash. “We have to come out against Sacramento just like every other game,” insisted winger Miguel Gonzalez after practice at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. “We have to get wins at home especially in the second half of the season. We need the fans to come out and give us their support – it’s always important to have them here behind us.”
Tensions, familiarities, and rivalries are bound to have softened between Saturday’s opponents with eleven months having passed since the Switchbacks last faced off against Sacramento Republic. Even so, the Switchbacks will be using the fire of leaving five available points in the Pacific Northwest to propel them into this weekend’s game: “Last time we beat Sacramento was a very successful result for us,” said goalkeeper Devala Gorrick. “We’re fired up after the last two games in the league and we know it’s time for us to make a strong statement at home in front of our fans.”
With four goals and an equal number of assists to his name, Mike Seth is producing another tremendously important season for the Switchbacks. Usually employed on the wing, Seth has also seen time this campaign in a central role in support of a striker. Leading the team with the four aforementioned assists, Seth believes the atmosphere of Switchbacks Stadium will help his team register another victory. “It’s good to get home in front of our crowd and hopefully get back on track with three points,” said Mike Seth.
Defense has so far proven the foundation upon which the Switchbacks have found success in the 2016 season. With players like Mike Seth, Marty Maybin, Saeed Robinson, Miguel Gonzalez and the Switchbacks’ captain Luke Vercollone all finding their goal-scoring form, a return to winning ways for the Switchbacks is inevitable. Should it come this Saturday at Switchbacks Stadium against Sacramento Republic FC, the Switchbacks would find themselves leading Republic FC by one point in the Western Conference as the 2016 playoffs edge ever closer.
