(Colorado Springs, CO – April 28, 2016) –
The Rocky Mountain Rivalry will be renewed this Saturday as the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC welcome Real Monarchs SLC to Switchbacks Stadium at 7:00pm MST.
Arguably the only team in the USL equipped to handle the altitude and spring weather of Colorado Springs, Real Monarchs will be playing their third game in the span of seven days. After a 1-0 loss in Sandy, Utah to Rio Grande Valley FC on April 23rd, the Real Monarchs hosted Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Tuesday evening at Rio Tinto Stadium. Despite finishing a disappointing 0-0 draw, Real Monarchs will no doubt take positives from a match that saw them play with six players from their MLS parent club, Real Salt Lake.
It’s been an inconsistent start to the 2016 season for the Real Monarchs, after a terrifying on-field incident marred their home opener on March 26th against Saint Louis FC. Midfielder Omar Holness, already a senior Jamaican international, suffered a seizure in the 33rd minute of his professional debut. After a lengthy delay for emergency medical treatment, Holness was transported to hospital where he was eventually discharged later that evening.
The fifth pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, Holness stared at the University of North Carolina after a childhood that saw him attend the same school in Kingston, Jamaica as Switchbacks winger Saeed Robinson. Although four years apart at Wolmer’s Boy’s School, Robinson wished his compatriot nothing but the best in his recovery to first-team football. “I wish I could see him to see how he’s doing and wish him well,” said Robinson. “I hope he has a speedy recovery so he can return to doing what he loves.”
Switchbacks Assistant Coach Wolde Harris, also a native of Kingston, Jamaica, was effusive in his praise of Holness and in his hope that his countryman returns to the pitch again soon. “Holness is a technically good player with an attacking brain and I thought he was a key midfield piece for SLC,” said the winner of 28 caps with the Jamaican National Team. “It’s unfortunate what happened. I’m hoping he has a very speedy recovery – you always want to see players with that type of talent on the field.”
Real Monarchs SLC and the Switchbacks met four times in the 2015 regular season, with the Switchbacks winning three of those matches, including the first ever USL victory for the team from Colorado Springs. The offense for the Switchbacks was in full flow against Saturday’s opponents last season, as a 5-2 victory on April 17th was followed by a 2-1 win just under two months later.
A final meeting between the two teams, on August 26th in Sandy, Utah, gave the Real Monarchs their lone win in the rivalry to date, but Switchbacks defender Josh Phillips believes the Real Monarchs will be out to avenge their three 2015 regular season losses to the Switchbacks. “Including the preseason we played them five times last season, and we beat them in four of those,” said Phillips. “They’ll want revenge and they’ll want to get a good result here.”
As likely the club with the clearest example of following their MLS parent club’s model, the Real Monarchs predicate their play on retaining possession. Their defense has kept three clean sheets so far this season, and while only scoring more than a single goal once (a 3-3 draw with L.A. Galaxy II on April 2nd) this season, the Monarchs can be dangerous going forward when given time and space on the ball.
Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh, albeit wary of the Monarchs’ style, put the onus for a positive showing squarely on his own team. “They possess the ball and do a lot the same as their 1st team,” said Trittschuh. “We need to be better on the attack than last week. We don’t need to concentrate on them – we need to worry about ourselves. We need to put 90 minutes together and we must take our chances.”
Tyler Arnone has featured in five matches for the Real Monarchs this season and he helps form an impressive midfield alongside Ricardo Velazco and Danilo Acosta. With controlling possession being the foundation upon which Real Salt Lake have built their franchise, the Real Monarchs midfield must be in fine form on Saturday in order to support and supply Jamaican striker Kevaughn Frater.
After playing 90 minutes in all four Switchbacks games this season, midfielder Luke Vercollone is primed for the inevitable test that the Real Monarchs’ style will pose his team. “They have a lot of quality and a talented squad. They have a lot of the possession, and this game is going to be a fight,” said the Switchbacks’ captain. “This game will be a possession team in Salt Lake versus a hard working team in us. We’re going to come out on top, especially if we get a goal early.”
With three goals and an assist to his name, Switchbacks striker Marty Maybin is off to a near-perfect individual start to the 2016 season. While his scoring has deservedly grabbed the headlines, his incessant pressurizing of opponent defenders has been of the highest order through the Switchbacks’ first four games. Combining with winger Mike Seth, Maybin forced San Antonio FC into the error that led to Maybin’s tap-in finish last Saturday that preserved the Switchbacks’ perfect 2016 home record.
“It’s always good to score no matter what fashion,” said Maybin. “The goals give me a huge boost, but a lot of it comes from being rewarded for hard work – my own and the team’s. I want to score a goal per game. That’s a realistic target, and when chances come along I need to take them. Monarchs are a good playing team and a very good possession team. They’ll keep the ball so we must apply pressure as soon as they break into our half.”
A Man of the Match performance against San Antonio FC for Switchbacks goalkeeper Billy Thompson was rewarded by the USL as he was named a starter on the USL Team of the Week. Coming on after twenty minutes for starter Devala Gorrick who went down with an injury after a heavy collision, Thompson was commanding for the Switchbacks as he made three brilliant saves to preserve the Switchbacks’ clean sheet. “It’s great to get the recognition from the league,” said Thompson when asked about being named to the Team of the Week. “But it’s not why we do what we do. It’s just good to see all the hard work we do behind the scenes for all of us not in the normal starting XI to be noticed. We all work hard. I just came in and wanted to keep things rolling in a positive direction for the team.”
Midfielder Jacob Cawsey couldn’t hide his delight at the accolade for his teammate: “I’m so proud of Billy Thompson for getting Team of the Week,” said a beaming Cawsey. “He got his moment, stood up, and took his chance brilliantly.”
Playing their home games at nearly 4,500 feet above sea level greatly reduces the impact of the Colorado Springs altitude on the Real Monarchs, but weather conditions this weekend at Switchbacks Stadium could still affect the final result. With the early blooms of spring set to be extinguished by a late April cold front, passing and possession control will be all the more important on Saturday night. “We’re expecting them to be a good technical team,” said Switchbacks defender Josh Phillips. “They move the ball well and have a lot of possession. But we expect the worse from the weather and we’ll prepare for it. We’ll be ready for whatever comes our way and I’m very excited for another home game in front of our fans.”
After Saturday night’s matchup against the Real Monarchs, the Switchbacks will travel to California – and assuredly more summer-like conditions – for games against Los Angeles Galaxy II and the Orange County Blues FC.
“It’s going to be a classic Salt Lake City versus Switchbacks battle just like last year,” said Luke Vercollone. “We’re used to the weather. This is a big game for us and we need to set the standard, get some momentum, and catapult us to the top of the league – especially with two tough away games next week.”
(Colorado Springs, CO – April 28, 2016) –
The Rocky Mountain Rivalry will be renewed this Saturday as the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC welcome Real Monarchs SLC to Switchbacks Stadium at 7:00pm MST.
Arguably the only team in the USL equipped to handle the altitude and spring weather of Colorado Springs, Real Monarchs will be playing their third game in the span of seven days. After a 1-0 loss in Sandy, Utah to Rio Grande Valley FC on April 23rd, the Real Monarchs hosted Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Tuesday evening at Rio Tinto Stadium. Despite finishing a disappointing 0-0 draw, Real Monarchs will no doubt take positives from a match that saw them play with six players from their MLS parent club, Real Salt Lake.
It’s been an inconsistent start to the 2016 season for the Real Monarchs, after a terrifying on-field incident marred their home opener on March 26th against Saint Louis FC. Midfielder Omar Holness, already a senior Jamaican international, suffered a seizure in the 33rd minute of his professional debut. After a lengthy delay for emergency medical treatment, Holness was transported to hospital where he was eventually discharged later that evening.
The fifth pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, Holness stared at the University of North Carolina after a childhood that saw him attend the same school in Kingston, Jamaica as Switchbacks winger Saeed Robinson. Although four years apart at Wolmer’s Boy’s School, Robinson wished his compatriot nothing but the best in his recovery to first-team football. “I wish I could see him to see how he’s doing and wish him well,” said Robinson. “I hope he has a speedy recovery so he can return to doing what he loves.”
Switchbacks Assistant Coach Wolde Harris, also a native of Kingston, Jamaica, was effusive in his praise of Holness and in his hope that his countryman returns to the pitch again soon. “Holness is a technically good player with an attacking brain and I thought he was a key midfield piece for SLC,” said the winner of 28 caps with the Jamaican National Team. “It’s unfortunate what happened. I’m hoping he has a very speedy recovery – you always want to see players with that type of talent on the field.”
Real Monarchs SLC and the Switchbacks met four times in the 2015 regular season, with the Switchbacks winning three of those matches, including the first ever USL victory for the team from Colorado Springs. The offense for the Switchbacks was in full flow against Saturday’s opponents last season, as a 5-2 victory on April 17th was followed by a 2-1 win just under two months later.
A final meeting between the two teams, on August 26th in Sandy, Utah, gave the Real Monarchs their lone win in the rivalry to date, but Switchbacks defender Josh Phillips believes the Real Monarchs will be out to avenge their three 2015 regular season losses to the Switchbacks. “Including the preseason we played them five times last season, and we beat them in four of those,” said Phillips. “They’ll want revenge and they’ll want to get a good result here.”
As likely the club with the clearest example of following their MLS parent club’s model, the Real Monarchs predicate their play on retaining possession. Their defense has kept three clean sheets so far this season, and while only scoring more than a single goal once (a 3-3 draw with L.A. Galaxy II on April 2nd) this season, the Monarchs can be dangerous going forward when given time and space on the ball.
Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh, albeit wary of the Monarchs’ style, put the onus for a positive showing squarely on his own team. “They possess the ball and do a lot the same as their 1st team,” said Trittschuh. “We need to be better on the attack than last week. We don’t need to concentrate on them – we need to worry about ourselves. We need to put 90 minutes together and we must take our chances.”
Tyler Arnone has featured in five matches for the Real Monarchs this season and he helps form an impressive midfield alongside Ricardo Velazco and Danilo Acosta. With controlling possession being the foundation upon which Real Salt Lake have built their franchise, the Real Monarchs midfield must be in fine form on Saturday in order to support and supply Jamaican striker Kevaughn Frater.
After playing 90 minutes in all four Switchbacks games this season, midfielder Luke Vercollone is primed for the inevitable test that the Real Monarchs’ style will pose his team. “They have a lot of quality and a talented squad. They have a lot of the possession, and this game is going to be a fight,” said the Switchbacks’ captain. “This game will be a possession team in Salt Lake versus a hard working team in us. We’re going to come out on top, especially if we get a goal early.”
With three goals and an assist to his name, Switchbacks striker Marty Maybin is off to a near-perfect individual start to the 2016 season. While his scoring has deservedly grabbed the headlines, his incessant pressurizing of opponent defenders has been of the highest order through the Switchbacks’ first four games. Combining with winger Mike Seth, Maybin forced San Antonio FC into the error that led to Maybin’s tap-in finish last Saturday that preserved the Switchbacks’ perfect 2016 home record.
“It’s always good to score no matter what fashion,” said Maybin. “The goals give me a huge boost, but a lot of it comes from being rewarded for hard work – my own and the team’s. I want to score a goal per game. That’s a realistic target, and when chances come along I need to take them. Monarchs are a good playing team and a very good possession team. They’ll keep the ball so we must apply pressure as soon as they break into our half.”
A Man of the Match performance against San Antonio FC for Switchbacks goalkeeper Billy Thompson was rewarded by the USL as he was named a starter on the USL Team of the Week. Coming on after twenty minutes for starter Devala Gorrick who went down with an injury after a heavy collision, Thompson was commanding for the Switchbacks as he made three brilliant saves to preserve the Switchbacks’ clean sheet. “It’s great to get the recognition from the league,” said Thompson when asked about being named to the Team of the Week. “But it’s not why we do what we do. It’s just good to see all the hard work we do behind the scenes for all of us not in the normal starting XI to be noticed. We all work hard. I just came in and wanted to keep things rolling in a positive direction for the team.”
Midfielder Jacob Cawsey couldn’t hide his delight at the accolade for his teammate: “I’m so proud of Billy Thompson for getting Team of the Week,” said a beaming Cawsey. “He got his moment, stood up, and took his chance brilliantly.”
Playing their home games at nearly 4,500 feet above sea level greatly reduces the impact of the Colorado Springs altitude on the Real Monarchs, but weather conditions this weekend at Switchbacks Stadium could still affect the final result. With the early blooms of spring set to be extinguished by a late April cold front, passing and possession control will be all the more important on Saturday night. “We’re expecting them to be a good technical team,” said Switchbacks defender Josh Phillips. “They move the ball well and have a lot of possession. But we expect the worse from the weather and we’ll prepare for it. We’ll be ready for whatever comes our way and I’m very excited for another home game in front of our fans.”
After Saturday night’s matchup against the Real Monarchs, the Switchbacks will travel to California – and assuredly more summer-like conditions – for games against Los Angeles Galaxy II and the Orange County Blues FC.
“It’s going to be a classic Salt Lake City versus Switchbacks battle just like last year,” said Luke Vercollone. “We’re used to the weather. This is a big game for us and we need to set the standard, get some momentum, and catapult us to the top of the league – especially with two tough away games next week.”