Colorado Springs, CO (August 19, 2016) – Switchbacks Stadium is once again the site of a top-of-the-table clash, as the Rio Grand Valley FC Toros take on the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC this Sunday afternoon.
First in the USL’s Western Conference, the Switchbacks will enter Sunday’s match after a nine-day break from competitive action. In a bid to maintain match sharpness, the Switchbacks played a mid-week scrimmage against Regis University on Wednesday in Denver, Colorado.
Rio Grand Valley FC storm into Colorado Springs having scored eleven goals in their previous two USL fixtures. A 6-0 demolition of the Seattle Sounders 2 at H-E-B Park in Edinburg, Texas on August 13th was followed just five days later by a 5-0 win over the Tulsa Roughnecks FC at ONEOK Field in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Mexican striker Emilio Garcia, the current USL Player of the Week, opened the scoring against the Tulsa Roughnecks with a calmly taken penalty kick that took Garcia’s season tally to six goals. Removed in the 65th minute against Tulsa, Garcia will be looking for a start against the Switchbacks that could see the 21-year-old leap into the lead of RGVFC’s scoring charts.
Lost in RGVFC’s recent offensive firestorm has been the performance of a Toros defensive unit that has not allowed a goal since a 2-1 loss to the Orange County Blues FC on June 26th. Seven consecutive shutouts has Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera’s RGVFC fourth in the USL’s Western Conference – just a lone point behind the Switchbacks.
FOUR TOROS TO WATCH FOR
Charlie Ward #8
Previously on the books of Stoke City in the English Premier League, Charlie Ward is the quarterback of RGVFC’s offense and arguably their most important player. Ward has played every minute of RGVFC’s twenty-three USL matches this season, and despite having only a lone assist beside his name on the statistical charts, Ward is the fulcrum through which the Toros initiate their forward play. Odds-on to start in central midfield alongside Jorginho James, Ward and his passing accuracy will determine RGVFC’s success on Sunday afternoon.
Jose Memo Rodriguez #7
Texan native Rodriguez leads RGVFC’s offensive statistics with 6 goals and 4 assists. A substitute in Thursday’s 5-0 win against the Tulsa Roughnecks, Rodriguez could start on Sunday against the Switchbacks. Tricky and blessed with good natural speed, Rodriguez has a knack for running the channels between opposing defenders and linking play well with his teammates. Scoreless since firing a brace against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on July 13th, Rodriguez will be looking to return to the scoring charts after notching two assists against the Seattle Sounders FC 2 on August 13th.
Dzenan Catic # 9
Bosnia and Herzegovina striker Catic is another player who will be pushing for a start against the Switchbacks after a mightily impressive performance against the Tulsa Roughnecks. Brought on as a second half substitute, Catic scored two goals in eight minutes as RGVFC produced some of their finest offensive soccer this season. Physically imposing and not afraid to use his considerable size and strength, Catic offers RGVFC a reliable outlet who can hold the ball and link well with overlapping teammates.
Taylor Hunter # 3
Aurora, Colorado native and University of Denver alum Taylor Hunter returns to Switchbacks Stadium for the first time since representing the Switchbacks during the 2015 USL season. A versatile defender who is equally adept in the center of defense or in a wing back position, Hunter joined the Switchbacks last season through a loan deal with the Houston Dynamo of MLS. Hunter has made 13 appearances in 2016 for RGVFC – who are affiliated with the Houston Dynamo – and played all 90 minutes in the 5-0 win against the Tulsa Roughnecks. Look for Hunter to start at center back next to Ivan Magalhaes, with Kevin Garcia and George Malki occupying the full back positions.
While Rio Grand Valley FC’s recent offensive exploits have caught the headlines, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC have quietly maintained their lead atop the USL’s Western Conference. The much-needed 1-0 win against the Tulsa Roughnecks on August 11th arrested a five match winless streak for the Switchbacks who prepared for RGVFC’s visit with a fully healthy squad.
A closed-door scrimmage against Regis University on Wednesday afternoon was the perfect break from the training ground routine for Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh and his squad. “The guys who haven’t been playing the full 90 minutes in the league got some good time out,” said Trittschuh. “It’s really good for players because they got a chance to play and they know now what we’re trying to do. It helps us see if the players who aren’t starting are ready to step in, step up and play for this team when it counts.”
Individually the Switchbacks were rewarded for their first place standing and the victory against the Tulsa Roughnecks with Josh Suggs and Conor Doyle being named to the USL’s Team of the Week – Doyle as a reserve. Suggs has established himself as one of the most consistent performers for the Switchbacks in 2016, with his marauding and seemingly never-ending forward runs from left back causing opponents numerous problems.
“I’m a lot happier that we won the game last week,” was Suggs’ response when asked about his place on the USL Team of the Week. “It’s a huge advantage for us to be at home as always, and we know we’re facing a good team this Sunday. They’ve had good results as of late so we need to be ready.”
While not awed by RGVFC’s previous results, there’s no question that the Toros’ recent goal rush has caught the eye of the Switchbacks players and staff. “We are going to have to treat Sunday like a playoff game because it’s a must-win for us,” said Switchbacks winger Saeed Robinson. “They’ve [RGVFC] scored 11 goals and conceded zero in their last two games so it’s important that we stay compact defensively and take chances when they are presented to us.”
“We expect RGVFC to come out with a lot of confidence,” said Switchbacks captain Luke Vercollone. “They’ll be strong defensively as well, but there are a lot of positives for us. It will be hard for Rio Grande to get acclimatized to the altitude and conditions here, and we’ve had a bit of rest. I’m expecting a top performance from our team and three points so we can stay on top of the league.”
For Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh, combating RGVFC’s rampant offense relies upon the Switchbacks dictating the style in which Sunday’s game will be contested. “We need to keep the speed of play up and we have to make sure we put them out of the game by taking our chances. We’ve had rest and the players are practicing really well and we all know we’ve got to come to play defensively. They’re [RGVFC] a good team and they have really good players, but we are going to stick to our plan and take this game to them.”
Rio Grande Valley FC’s only trip to the Rocky Mountain region will give Sunday’s visitors to Colorado Springs confidence, as RGVFC defeated the Real Monarchs SLC 1-0 in Sandy, Utah on April 23rd. Despite this, a trip to Switchbacks Stadium is a totally different proposition, as the Switchbacks have only lost once in Colorado Springs during the 2016 season.
A quick turnaround awaits the Switchbacks, who will return to Switchbacks Stadium on Wednesday night to host the Oklahoma City Energy FC.
With RGVFC’s free scoring offense primed to meet the first-place Switchbacks, this Sunday’s match has all the makings of must-see game that could well determine playoff positioning. Just seven regular season games remain for the Switchbacks, and winger Saeed Robinson knows this weekend’s fixture against RGVFC has all the makings of a special encounter: “Sunday won’t be an easy game – but it should be very entertaining!”
Colorado Springs, CO (August 19, 2016) – Switchbacks Stadium is once again the site of a top-of-the-table clash, as the Rio Grand Valley FC Toros take on the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC this Sunday afternoon.
First in the USL’s Western Conference, the Switchbacks will enter Sunday’s match after a nine-day break from competitive action. In a bid to maintain match sharpness, the Switchbacks played a mid-week scrimmage against Regis University on Wednesday in Denver, Colorado.
Rio Grand Valley FC storm into Colorado Springs having scored eleven goals in their previous two USL fixtures. A 6-0 demolition of the Seattle Sounders 2 at H-E-B Park in Edinburg, Texas on August 13th was followed just five days later by a 5-0 win over the Tulsa Roughnecks FC at ONEOK Field in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Mexican striker Emilio Garcia, the current USL Player of the Week, opened the scoring against the Tulsa Roughnecks with a calmly taken penalty kick that took Garcia’s season tally to six goals. Removed in the 65th minute against Tulsa, Garcia will be looking for a start against the Switchbacks that could see the 21-year-old leap into the lead of RGVFC’s scoring charts.
Lost in RGVFC’s recent offensive firestorm has been the performance of a Toros defensive unit that has not allowed a goal since a 2-1 loss to the Orange County Blues FC on June 26th. Seven consecutive shutouts has Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera’s RGVFC fourth in the USL’s Western Conference – just a lone point behind the Switchbacks.
FOUR TOROS TO WATCH FOR
Charlie Ward #8
Previously on the books of Stoke City in the English Premier League, Charlie Ward is the quarterback of RGVFC’s offense and arguably their most important player. Ward has played every minute of RGVFC’s twenty-three USL matches this season, and despite having only a lone assist beside his name on the statistical charts, Ward is the fulcrum through which the Toros initiate their forward play. Odds-on to start in central midfield alongside Jorginho James, Ward and his passing accuracy will determine RGVFC’s success on Sunday afternoon.
Jose Memo Rodriguez #7
Texan native Rodriguez leads RGVFC’s offensive statistics with 6 goals and 4 assists. A substitute in Thursday’s 5-0 win against the Tulsa Roughnecks, Rodriguez could start on Sunday against the Switchbacks. Tricky and blessed with good natural speed, Rodriguez has a knack for running the channels between opposing defenders and linking play well with his teammates. Scoreless since firing a brace against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on July 13th, Rodriguez will be looking to return to the scoring charts after notching two assists against the Seattle Sounders FC 2 on August 13th.
Dzenan Catic # 9
Bosnia and Herzegovina striker Catic is another player who will be pushing for a start against the Switchbacks after a mightily impressive performance against the Tulsa Roughnecks. Brought on as a second half substitute, Catic scored two goals in eight minutes as RGVFC produced some of their finest offensive soccer this season. Physically imposing and not afraid to use his considerable size and strength, Catic offers RGVFC a reliable outlet who can hold the ball and link well with overlapping teammates.
Taylor Hunter # 3
Aurora, Colorado native and University of Denver alum Taylor Hunter returns to Switchbacks Stadium for the first time since representing the Switchbacks during the 2015 USL season. A versatile defender who is equally adept in the center of defense or in a wing back position, Hunter joined the Switchbacks last season through a loan deal with the Houston Dynamo of MLS. Hunter has made 13 appearances in 2016 for RGVFC – who are affiliated with the Houston Dynamo – and played all 90 minutes in the 5-0 win against the Tulsa Roughnecks. Look for Hunter to start at center back next to Ivan Magalhaes, with Kevin Garcia and George Malki occupying the full back positions.
While Rio Grand Valley FC’s recent offensive exploits have caught the headlines, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC have quietly maintained their lead atop the USL’s Western Conference. The much-needed 1-0 win against the Tulsa Roughnecks on August 11th arrested a five match winless streak for the Switchbacks who prepared for RGVFC’s visit with a fully healthy squad.
A closed-door scrimmage against Regis University on Wednesday afternoon was the perfect break from the training ground routine for Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh and his squad. “The guys who haven’t been playing the full 90 minutes in the league got some good time out,” said Trittschuh. “It’s really good for players because they got a chance to play and they know now what we’re trying to do. It helps us see if the players who aren’t starting are ready to step in, step up and play for this team when it counts.”
Individually the Switchbacks were rewarded for their first place standing and the victory against the Tulsa Roughnecks with Josh Suggs and Conor Doyle being named to the USL’s Team of the Week – Doyle as a reserve. Suggs has established himself as one of the most consistent performers for the Switchbacks in 2016, with his marauding and seemingly never-ending forward runs from left back causing opponents numerous problems.
“I’m a lot happier that we won the game last week,” was Suggs’ response when asked about his place on the USL Team of the Week. “It’s a huge advantage for us to be at home as always, and we know we’re facing a good team this Sunday. They’ve had good results as of late so we need to be ready.”
While not awed by RGVFC’s previous results, there’s no question that the Toros’ recent goal rush has caught the eye of the Switchbacks players and staff. “We are going to have to treat Sunday like a playoff game because it’s a must-win for us,” said Switchbacks winger Saeed Robinson. “They’ve [RGVFC] scored 11 goals and conceded zero in their last two games so it’s important that we stay compact defensively and take chances when they are presented to us.”
“We expect RGVFC to come out with a lot of confidence,” said Switchbacks captain Luke Vercollone. “They’ll be strong defensively as well, but there are a lot of positives for us. It will be hard for Rio Grande to get acclimatized to the altitude and conditions here, and we’ve had a bit of rest. I’m expecting a top performance from our team and three points so we can stay on top of the league.”
For Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh, combating RGVFC’s rampant offense relies upon the Switchbacks dictating the style in which Sunday’s game will be contested. “We need to keep the speed of play up and we have to make sure we put them out of the game by taking our chances. We’ve had rest and the players are practicing really well and we all know we’ve got to come to play defensively. They’re [RGVFC] a good team and they have really good players, but we are going to stick to our plan and take this game to them.”
Rio Grande Valley FC’s only trip to the Rocky Mountain region will give Sunday’s visitors to Colorado Springs confidence, as RGVFC defeated the Real Monarchs SLC 1-0 in Sandy, Utah on April 23rd. Despite this, a trip to Switchbacks Stadium is a totally different proposition, as the Switchbacks have only lost once in Colorado Springs during the 2016 season.
A quick turnaround awaits the Switchbacks, who will return to Switchbacks Stadium on Wednesday night to host the Oklahoma City Energy FC.
With RGVFC’s free scoring offense primed to meet the first-place Switchbacks, this Sunday’s match has all the makings of must-see game that could well determine playoff positioning. Just seven regular season games remain for the Switchbacks, and winger Saeed Robinson knows this weekend’s fixture against RGVFC has all the makings of a special encounter: “Sunday won’t be an easy game – but it should be very entertaining!”
