Saint Louis FC await the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in Fenton, Missouri this Saturday as the Switchbacks look to solidify their standing atop the USL’s Western Conference table.
Currently in third place, the Switchbacks took four points from their most recent two-game home stand, but were desperately disappointed by the manner in which Saturday’s 1-1 draw against the Swope Park Rangers ended. Leading through a stunning Mike Seth volley, the Switchbacks looked to be heading for top spot in the Western Conference before a stoppage time equalizer from Swope Park’s Alex Molano.
“It feels good any time I can score,” said Mike Seth immediately following the final whistle. “But three points is what we strive for and what we all wanted from this game.”
“It was a great goal,” said Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh after the match. “The buildup was good and Mike finished it well.”
In addition to his goal, Seth’s work rate throughout the match was first class as he linked play between a new-look forward four. Conor Doyle, on loan from the Colorado Rapids, impressed on his debut for the Switchbacks alongside Seth, Miguel Gonzalez, and Saeed Robinson.
“Conor did really well for us – he had a really good impact – and having these options makes us unpredictable for other teams,” said Steve Trittschuh before turning his attention to the final score line. “But as a team we all need to do better. It’s just not there for us right now. The aggressiveness and desire to score goals is not there. We didn’t play badly but just a few moments let us down, and I’ve talked for a long time now about missed chances – if we’d taken them we would have won that game.”
“It feels like a loss,” said a dejected Switchbacks captain Luke Vercollone. “We are all very disappointed. It reminds us of all the other games we drew in similar fashion. We’ve got to have short memories – everything right now is one game at a time. The physical recovery starts now and mentally we clear our heads. Any game now we will turn that corner – we’re so close – and hopefully that starts in Saint Louis.”
Miguel Gonzalez, who spent time on both wings as he and Saeed Robinson rotated their starting positions, produced a fine offensive display as he came desperately close to scoring against the Swope Park Rangers. “We just have to look back at all the opportunities we missed and I speak for myself in this because I should have scored,” said Gonzalez. “We can’t miss so many chances and we must stay focused and move on as a group and there’s no better way to start that than this weekend.”
Gonzalez, who picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Swope Park Rangers, will serve a one game suspension, thus eliminating him from contention for the trip to Saint Louis FC.
Saeed Robinson, who has been used recently as both a striker and winger, could feature against Saint Louis after an impressive display against Swope Park Rangers that saw Robinson put in time on both sides of the pitch. “Wide is Saeed’s natural position, but his speed means he can play up top too,” said Head Coach Trittschuh. “He’s at his best when he’s aggressive and when he uses his speed, and he gives us a different look.”
Despite the frustration felt in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s draw at Switchbacks Stadium, the Switchbacks remain in third– just a solitary point behind both the Los Angeles Galaxy II and Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2. The next game in Colorado Springs for the Switchbacks will be a July 29th top-of- the-table showdown with the Whitecaps 2, giving the Switchbacks even further motivation for a positive result against Saint Louis FC this weekend.
June 4th saw the Switchbacks run away 2-0 winners over Saint Louis FC at Switchbacks Stadium on the back of goals from Marty Maybin and Miguel Gonzalez. Seemingly not phased by the loss, Saint Louis FC returned to Fenton, Missouri and tore into the Tulsa Roughnecks FC, eventually finishing as 7-1 winners.
Salvadorian striker Irvin Herrera leads Saint Louis’ statistical charts with 9 goals this season, after bolstering his tally with 2 in the aforementioned demolition of the Tulsa Roughnecks. Herrera, although most comfortable on his left foot, will shoot with either side and from any distance, and is often found dropping into the midfield in search of possession.
Jamaican international goalkeeper Ryan Thompson will be familiar to fans after his exploits for his country at the 2015 Gold Cup, while fellow countryman Jamiel Hardware will be hoping for inclusion in the starting XI on Saturday. Hardware played half an hour in Saint Louis FC’s most recent match, a surprising 2-0 loss at ONEOK Field to bottom-of- the-table Tulsa Roughnecks.
Saint Louis FC defender Jake Bond impressed during Saint Louis FC’s loss to the Switchbacks in June, while midfielder Vince Cicciarelli made an instant impact during his 45 minutes of play in Colorado Springs.
Defensive frailties have plagued Saint Louis FC this season, as Head Coach Dale Schilly’s squad have already relinquished 24 goals through their first nineteen matches. With a Switchbacks team on the verge of a goal-deluge after playing some of their best, most intricate, and free-flowing offensive soccer in recent weeks, Saint Louis FC’s defensive display will be key to their chances on Saturday night.
Just over 24 hours ahead of kickoff at World Wide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton, Missouri, the Saint Louis metropolitan area sat locked in an Excessive Heat Warning from the National Weather Service. Temperatures hovering around triple digits, combined with suffocating Midwest humidity adds another hurdle for the Switchbacks – who spent Thursday preparing for the weekend conditions in Colorado Springs.
“It’s going to be hot and it’s going to be humid, but we are going to come to play,” said Steve Trittschuh. “We have experience in these conditions, and I like our chances because we’re prepared physically for the heat.”
A win in Saint Louis would give the Switchbacks their first three points on the road since a 3-1 victory over Arizona United SC on May 21st and pile the pressure on the Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 to keep pace when they host Sacramento Republic on Sunday.
The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC are not far away from replicating the offensive form that saw them score 5 goals on three separate occasions during the 2015 season.
With the Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 looming next weekend at Switchbacks Stadium and fresh life introduced into the Switchbacks’ offense with the loan signing of Conor Doyle, a win against Saint Louis FC this Saturday could prove priceless for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
Saint Louis FC await the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in Fenton, Missouri this Saturday as the Switchbacks look to solidify their standing atop the USL’s Western Conference table.
Currently in third place, the Switchbacks took four points from their most recent two-game home stand, but were desperately disappointed by the manner in which Saturday’s 1-1 draw against the Swope Park Rangers ended. Leading through a stunning Mike Seth volley, the Switchbacks looked to be heading for top spot in the Western Conference before a stoppage time equalizer from Swope Park’s Alex Molano.
“It feels good any time I can score,” said Mike Seth immediately following the final whistle. “But three points is what we strive for and what we all wanted from this game.”
“It was a great goal,” said Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh after the match. “The buildup was good and Mike finished it well.”
In addition to his goal, Seth’s work rate throughout the match was first class as he linked play between a new-look forward four. Conor Doyle, on loan from the Colorado Rapids, impressed on his debut for the Switchbacks alongside Seth, Miguel Gonzalez, and Saeed Robinson.
“Conor did really well for us – he had a really good impact – and having these options makes us unpredictable for other teams,” said Steve Trittschuh before turning his attention to the final score line. “But as a team we all need to do better. It’s just not there for us right now. The aggressiveness and desire to score goals is not there. We didn’t play badly but just a few moments let us down, and I’ve talked for a long time now about missed chances – if we’d taken them we would have won that game.”
“It feels like a loss,” said a dejected Switchbacks captain Luke Vercollone. “We are all very disappointed. It reminds us of all the other games we drew in similar fashion. We’ve got to have short memories – everything right now is one game at a time. The physical recovery starts now and mentally we clear our heads. Any game now we will turn that corner – we’re so close – and hopefully that starts in Saint Louis.”
Miguel Gonzalez, who spent time on both wings as he and Saeed Robinson rotated their starting positions, produced a fine offensive display as he came desperately close to scoring against the Swope Park Rangers. “We just have to look back at all the opportunities we missed and I speak for myself in this because I should have scored,” said Gonzalez. “We can’t miss so many chances and we must stay focused and move on as a group and there’s no better way to start that than this weekend.”
Gonzalez, who picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Swope Park Rangers, will serve a one game suspension, thus eliminating him from contention for the trip to Saint Louis FC.
Saeed Robinson, who has been used recently as both a striker and winger, could feature against Saint Louis after an impressive display against Swope Park Rangers that saw Robinson put in time on both sides of the pitch. “Wide is Saeed’s natural position, but his speed means he can play up top too,” said Head Coach Trittschuh. “He’s at his best when he’s aggressive and when he uses his speed, and he gives us a different look.”
Despite the frustration felt in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s draw at Switchbacks Stadium, the Switchbacks remain in third– just a solitary point behind both the Los Angeles Galaxy II and Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2. The next game in Colorado Springs for the Switchbacks will be a July 29th top-of- the-table showdown with the Whitecaps 2, giving the Switchbacks even further motivation for a positive result against Saint Louis FC this weekend.
June 4th saw the Switchbacks run away 2-0 winners over Saint Louis FC at Switchbacks Stadium on the back of goals from Marty Maybin and Miguel Gonzalez. Seemingly not phased by the loss, Saint Louis FC returned to Fenton, Missouri and tore into the Tulsa Roughnecks FC, eventually finishing as 7-1 winners.
Salvadorian striker Irvin Herrera leads Saint Louis’ statistical charts with 9 goals this season, after bolstering his tally with 2 in the aforementioned demolition of the Tulsa Roughnecks. Herrera, although most comfortable on his left foot, will shoot with either side and from any distance, and is often found dropping into the midfield in search of possession.
Jamaican international goalkeeper Ryan Thompson will be familiar to fans after his exploits for his country at the 2015 Gold Cup, while fellow countryman Jamiel Hardware will be hoping for inclusion in the starting XI on Saturday. Hardware played half an hour in Saint Louis FC’s most recent match, a surprising 2-0 loss at ONEOK Field to bottom-of- the-table Tulsa Roughnecks.
Saint Louis FC defender Jake Bond impressed during Saint Louis FC’s loss to the Switchbacks in June, while midfielder Vince Cicciarelli made an instant impact during his 45 minutes of play in Colorado Springs.
Defensive frailties have plagued Saint Louis FC this season, as Head Coach Dale Schilly’s squad have already relinquished 24 goals through their first nineteen matches. With a Switchbacks team on the verge of a goal-deluge after playing some of their best, most intricate, and free-flowing offensive soccer in recent weeks, Saint Louis FC’s defensive display will be key to their chances on Saturday night.
Just over 24 hours ahead of kickoff at World Wide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton, Missouri, the Saint Louis metropolitan area sat locked in an Excessive Heat Warning from the National Weather Service. Temperatures hovering around triple digits, combined with suffocating Midwest humidity adds another hurdle for the Switchbacks – who spent Thursday preparing for the weekend conditions in Colorado Springs.
“It’s going to be hot and it’s going to be humid, but we are going to come to play,” said Steve Trittschuh. “We have experience in these conditions, and I like our chances because we’re prepared physically for the heat.”
A win in Saint Louis would give the Switchbacks their first three points on the road since a 3-1 victory over Arizona United SC on May 21st and pile the pressure on the Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 to keep pace when they host Sacramento Republic on Sunday.
The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC are not far away from replicating the offensive form that saw them score 5 goals on three separate occasions during the 2015 season.
With the Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 looming next weekend at Switchbacks Stadium and fresh life introduced into the Switchbacks’ offense with the loan signing of Conor Doyle, a win against Saint Louis FC this Saturday could prove priceless for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.