COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – With three consecutive victories, and four wins in the past five games, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC has moved into position to claim the top spot in the Western Conference with a victory on Saturday night on the road against Orange County Blues FC.
For that to happen, according to Coach Steve Trittschuh, the team’s mentality has to stay the same with the Blues needing victory as it chases the final place in the Western Conference playoff field.
“Our mentality should stay the same,” Trittschuh said this week on gazette.com. “We’ve been in playoff mode for the last few games knowing we’ve had to win games, and the same thing this weekend in Orange County. We have a must-win, and then we can secure [home field] for all our playoff games. Everything has got to come through here, through our home ground, and no-one wants to come and play at altitude, so we can get that advantage.”
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – With three consecutive victories, and four wins in the past five games, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC has moved into position to claim the top spot in the Western Conference with a victory on Saturday night on the road against Orange County Blues FC.
For that to happen, according to Coach Steve Trittschuh, the team’s mentality has to stay the same with the Blues needing victory as it chases the final place in the Western Conference playoff field.
“Our mentality should stay the same,” Trittschuh said this week on gazette.com. “We’ve been in playoff mode for the last few games knowing we’ve had to win games, and the same thing this weekend in Orange County. We have a must-win, and then we can secure [home field] for all our playoff games. Everything has got to come through here, through our home ground, and no-one wants to come and play at altitude, so we can get that advantage.”
The Switchbacks are in that position thanks to first Mike Seth’s stoppage-time goal against Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Saturday night, which gave the side a 2-1 victory in front of a club-record crowd of 4,308 fans at Switchbacks Stadium. Add in Sacramento Republic FC’s draw with the LA Galaxy II, and Rio Grande Valley FC’s loss to Los Dos just over a week ago, and the Switchbacks hold the edge going to Saturday’s action.
Seth’s performance of late has been important to the team’s run of form. The forward has scored three goals in the past three wins, and has opened up opportunities for others in leading the front line as the central forward in the Switchbacks’ typical 4-3-3 formation.
“Obviously we’ve put Mike Seth up top, and he’s been scoring goals and doing everything we ask of him up top in the middle, but then everybody’s upped their game,” said Trittschuh. “Defensively we’re playing fantastic, I think we’ve got 14 shutouts on the season. Devala Gorrick’s playing fantastic in goal, our back four, our midfield, we have a little bit of a rhythm here and we have some momentum going into this final game this weekend in Orange County.”
The Switchbacks are in that position thanks to first Mike Seth’s stoppage-time goal against Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Saturday night, which gave the side a 2-1 victory in front of a club-record crowd of 4,308 fans at Switchbacks Stadium. Add in Sacramento Republic FC’s draw with the LA Galaxy II, and Rio Grande Valley FC’s loss to Los Dos just over a week ago, and the Switchbacks hold the edge going to Saturday’s action.
Seth’s performance of late has been important to the team’s run of form. The forward has scored three goals in the past three wins, and has opened up opportunities for others in leading the front line as the central forward in the Switchbacks’ typical 4-3-3 formation.
“Obviously we’ve put Mike Seth up top, and he’s been scoring goals and doing everything we ask of him up top in the middle, but then everybody’s upped their game,” said Trittschuh. “Defensively we’re playing fantastic, I think we’ve got 14 shutouts on the season. Devala Gorrick’s playing fantastic in goal, our back four, our midfield, we have a little bit of a rhythm here and we have some momentum going into this final game this weekend in Orange County.”
Given the support the club has seen throughout the season, which culminated with Saturday’s record attendance for its home finale, Trittschuh is hopeful the same support will be on show when the side opens the playoffs on Sept. 30 at Switchbacks Stadium.
“The crowds have been great,” Trittschuh said. “This last game against Seattle I think they set a new record for people coming to the game, so we’re going to need that for all our home playoff games.”
With the team one win away from making the road to the Western Conference Championship go through Colorado Springs, the Switchbacks have their tails up.
“Our players, their mentality has been great,” said Trittschuh. “They’re in a winning mentality right now and we’ve just got to keep that momentum going. We’re having good trainings, so hopefully we can secure home-field advantage and then we’ll go from there.”
Given the support the club has seen throughout the season, which culminated with Saturday’s record attendance for its home finale, Trittschuh is hopeful the same support will be on show when the side opens the playoffs on Sept. 30 at Switchbacks Stadium.
“The crowds have been great,” Trittschuh said. “This last game against Seattle I think they set a new record for people coming to the game, so we’re going to need that for all our home playoff games.”
With the team one win away from making the road to the Western Conference Championship go through Colorado Springs, the Switchbacks have their tails up.
“Our players, their mentality has been great,” said Trittschuh. “They’re in a winning mentality right now and we’ve just got to keep that momentum going. We’re having good trainings, so hopefully we can secure home-field advantage and then we’ll go from there.”
