The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC begin a two-game homestand this Saturday as they welcome the Seattle Sounders FC 2 to Weidner Field on Poster Giveaway Night.
A last-gasp Shane Malcolm equalizer in stoppage time gave the Switchbacks a vital road point against Reno 1868 FC last Saturday at Greater Nevada Field in The Biggest Little City in the World. Jordan Burt opened the scoring for the Switchbacks with a bullet header just before the hour mark after Josh Phillips expertly redirected the Switchbacks’ corner kick towards Burt.
“I’m happy to score – it felt good to get the first one out of the way,” said Burt on Tuesday afternoon. “I didn’t have to do much, to be honest. [Josh] Suggs put in a great ball from the corner and I just put it away!”
Trailing twice against expansion side Reno 1868 FC, the Switchbacks were able to fight back and leave the Silver State with their heads held high in a performance that Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh praised: “I felt that we played well in the first half. We were better with our ball possession which is what we need to see. There were four chances that we created and should have scored. We just need more composure on the ball and to take those chances. Against Reno [1868 FC] it was the first time we’ve come back to get a point this season and the guys – all the guys – showed great character and it gives us a lot of confidence for this homestand that’s coming up.”
The Seattle Sounders FC 2 will make their way to Colorado Springs after back-to-back home losses at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Washington. A 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Real Monarchs SLC on April 22nd was followed by a narrow 3-2 loss to San Antonio FC on Tuesday evening.
With a roster full of enthusiastic talent, S2 are the USL’s representative of the reigning MLS Cup Champions, the Seattle Sounders FC.
“Seattle are always young and they always bring a good energy,” said Switchbacks captain Rony Argueta. “They play their style and that’s passed down from the first team. Coach [Tittschuh] has been watching them and preparing us and we’re ready to have a strong week of practice before Saturday.”
As an example of S2’s extreme youth policy, 15-year-old Azriel Gonzalez made his USL debut in Tuesday’s loss to San Antonio FC, although the youngster’s debut ended ignominiously as he was shown a red card for a lunging challenge in stoppage time, thus ruling him out of Saturday’s game at Weidner Field.
“Watching Seattle you see their quality this season just as we have in the past,” said Trittschuh. “I actually like to compare them to us; they try to possess and get their outside backs forward and play quickly. They’re a young team with talented homegrown players but it will be their third game in a week so we’ve got to make sure we start the game strong.”
S2 midfielder Zach Mathers – a collegiate standout at Duke University – leads his club in goals after picking up his second of the season in Tuesday’s loss to San Antonio FC. Homegrown striker David Olsen could be tasked with leading S2’s attack against the Switchbacks, while midfielder Ray Saari has impressed early in 2017 for S2. Panamanian international Francisco Narbón, who saw previous USL action with FC Cincinnati, brings experience to the Sounders 2, despite being just 22 years old.
“We expect a battle as always against Seattle,” said Switchbacks midfielder Luke Vercollone. “They’re a competitive group who want to win just like us and they’ve got a good young energy and talent on their team.”
With a late-spring storm on the horizon in Colorado Springs, conditions for Saturday’s match at Weidner Field could play even more of a factor in Saturday’s match. The second of a five-part poster giveaway – this weekend sponsored by Weidner Apartment Homes – will be distributed before kickoff to the Switchbacks faithful at Weidner Field, who are no doubt accustomed to a little inclement April weather after multiple snow-games in seasons past.
“It’s going to be good to be home and good to be in front of our fans,” said Rony Argueta. “We need two wins for our confidence and that’s our focus. We’re actually hoping the weather gets a little nasty to be honest because we’re used to it and it will be an advantage for us and we’ve proved that before.”
“The weather doesn’t affect us,” declared Trittschuh. “We’ll train outside all week in the weather just so there are no questions on Saturday and whatever happens we’ll look forward to it.”
The Switchbacks will host the Sounders FC 2 at Weidner Field again on Saturday, July 29th in Colorado Springs before finishing the season series at the Starfire Sports Complex in the Great Pacific Northwest on Saturday, September 16th.
“We always play well at home and it’s our job to keep that going this weekend,” said Vercollone. “We’re just waiting to hit our best form and we really hope these home games will give us the momentum to hit our stride.”
The first 500 fans in attendance at Saturday's match will receive the second piece to the puzzle of the poster series courtesy of Weidner Apartment Homes. Kickoff is at 6:00 P.M. and tickets can be purchased here.
Vercollone’s Switchbacks will round out their homestand with a Friday night match against the Tulsa Roughnecks FC on May 5th at 7:00 P.M. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a Switchbacks cap courtesy of Pikes Peak Brewing. Tickets can be purchased here.
The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC begin a two-game homestand this Saturday as they welcome the Seattle Sounders FC 2 to Weidner Field on Poster Giveaway Night.
A last-gasp Shane Malcolm equalizer in stoppage time gave the Switchbacks a vital road point against Reno 1868 FC last Saturday at Greater Nevada Field in The Biggest Little City in the World. Jordan Burt opened the scoring for the Switchbacks with a bullet header just before the hour mark after Josh Phillips expertly redirected the Switchbacks’ corner kick towards Burt.
“I’m happy to score – it felt good to get the first one out of the way,” said Burt on Tuesday afternoon. “I didn’t have to do much, to be honest. [Josh] Suggs put in a great ball from the corner and I just put it away!”
Trailing twice against expansion side Reno 1868 FC, the Switchbacks were able to fight back and leave the Silver State with their heads held high in a performance that Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh praised: “I felt that we played well in the first half. We were better with our ball possession which is what we need to see. There were four chances that we created and should have scored. We just need more composure on the ball and to take those chances. Against Reno [1868 FC] it was the first time we’ve come back to get a point this season and the guys – all the guys – showed great character and it gives us a lot of confidence for this homestand that’s coming up.”
The Seattle Sounders FC 2 will make their way to Colorado Springs after back-to-back home losses at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Washington. A 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Real Monarchs SLC on April 22nd was followed by a narrow 3-2 loss to San Antonio FC on Tuesday evening.
With a roster full of enthusiastic talent, S2 are the USL’s representative of the reigning MLS Cup Champions, the Seattle Sounders FC.
“Seattle are always young and they always bring a good energy,” said Switchbacks captain Rony Argueta. “They play their style and that’s passed down from the first team. Coach [Tittschuh] has been watching them and preparing us and we’re ready to have a strong week of practice before Saturday.”
As an example of S2’s extreme youth policy, 15-year-old Azriel Gonzalez made his USL debut in Tuesday’s loss to San Antonio FC, although the youngster’s debut ended ignominiously as he was shown a red card for a lunging challenge in stoppage time, thus ruling him out of Saturday’s game at Weidner Field.
“Watching Seattle you see their quality this season just as we have in the past,” said Trittschuh. “I actually like to compare them to us; they try to possess and get their outside backs forward and play quickly. They’re a young team with talented homegrown players but it will be their third game in a week so we’ve got to make sure we start the game strong.”
S2 midfielder Zach Mathers – a collegiate standout at Duke University – leads his club in goals after picking up his second of the season in Tuesday’s loss to San Antonio FC. Homegrown striker David Olsen could be tasked with leading S2’s attack against the Switchbacks, while midfielder Ray Saari has impressed early in 2017 for S2. Panamanian international Francisco Narbón, who saw previous USL action with FC Cincinnati, brings experience to the Sounders 2, despite being just 22 years old.
“We expect a battle as always against Seattle,” said Switchbacks midfielder Luke Vercollone. “They’re a competitive group who want to win just like us and they’ve got a good young energy and talent on their team.”
With a late-spring storm on the horizon in Colorado Springs, conditions for Saturday’s match at Weidner Field could play even more of a factor in Saturday’s match. The second of a five-part poster giveaway – this weekend sponsored by Weidner Apartment Homes – will be distributed before kickoff to the Switchbacks faithful at Weidner Field, who are no doubt accustomed to a little inclement April weather after multiple snow-games in seasons past.
“It’s going to be good to be home and good to be in front of our fans,” said Rony Argueta. “We need two wins for our confidence and that’s our focus. We’re actually hoping the weather gets a little nasty to be honest because we’re used to it and it will be an advantage for us and we’ve proved that before.”
“The weather doesn’t affect us,” declared Trittschuh. “We’ll train outside all week in the weather just so there are no questions on Saturday and whatever happens we’ll look forward to it.”
The Switchbacks will host the Sounders FC 2 at Weidner Field again on Saturday, July 29th in Colorado Springs before finishing the season series at the Starfire Sports Complex in the Great Pacific Northwest on Saturday, September 16th.
“We always play well at home and it’s our job to keep that going this weekend,” said Vercollone. “We’re just waiting to hit our best form and we really hope these home games will give us the momentum to hit our stride.”
The first 500 fans in attendance at Saturday’s match will receive the second piece to the puzzle of the poster series courtesy of Weidner Apartment Homes. Kickoff is at 6:00 P.M. and tickets can be purchased here.
Vercollone’s Switchbacks will round out their homestand with a Friday night match against the Tulsa Roughnecks FC on May 5th at 7:00 P.M. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a Switchbacks cap courtesy of Pikes Peak Brewing. Tickets can be purchased here.
