Weidner Field welcomes the Switchbacks FC back to Colorado Springs this Saturday evening as red-hot San Antonio FC visit the Front Range. Fireworks will follow the game, the first of a three-match home stand for the Switchbacks.
Undefeated in 2017 USL play, San Antonio FC will arrive rested for Saturday’s match following their comprehensive 3-1 win over the Tulsa Roughnecks FC on June 17th. The victory, San Antonio’s tenth this season, was led by an impressive brace from striker Kris Tyrpak. Tyrpak now has three goals this season, along with two assists in thirteen appearances. Tyrpak is well versed in the ways of scoring in the USL after spending last season’s campaign with the Swope Park Rangers.
“I expect San Antonio to come here strong. They’ve had time to prepare and see us play on Wednesday,” said Switchbacks winger Shane Malcolm. “They haven’t lost yet and that’s a big motivation. We gave them their first draw of the season so now we want to give them their first loss.”
Another familiar face for Switchbacks fans will be that of San Antonio FC defender Cyprian Hendrick, who played the previous three seasons for the Oklahoma City Energy FC. Hendrick partnered Sebastien Ibeagha – brother of former Switchbacks defender Christian Ibeagha – in the heart of San Antonio’s defense in the win over the Tulsa Roughnecks.
Unquestionably led by their defense, San Antonio FC lost a shutout streak of 672 minutes when Tulsa’s Joaquin Rivas equalized in the 27th minute last Saturday at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas. Until Rivas’ goal, San Antonio FC’s shutout run was the second longest such streak in USL regular season history. “They’re very, very good – especially defensively,” said right back Jordan Burt. “We’re going to have to play our best brand of soccer to win.”
“San Antonio are very organized and they’re playing with a lot of confidence,” said Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh. “They haven’t been scoring as much recently, but they keep their shape well. It’s going to take a lot of our players doing well for us to get the win.”
“Defending-wise I think San Antonio will press us as a team and try and counter-attack us using their wide players,” said striker Kevaughn Frater. “We’re looking for three points tomorrow; nothing else! We’re going to work and do everything to get the win. Maybe that will be through set pieces or from some skill…or maybe even from a piece of magic.”
Colombian Rafael Castillo is an invaluable cog in San Antonio FC’s midfield, where he is joined by Brazilian tactician Pecka. The fact that Pecka is San Antonio FC’s statistical leader in categories like tackles won, interceptions, and duels won doesn’t fully capture the midfielder’s importance to his squad. Without question among the first names Head Coach Darren Powell pens in his lineup card, Pecka is one of just two San Antonio FC players to have started all 14 matches this season, along with the aforementioned Sebastian Ibeagha.
“Pecka brings stability and hard work – he’s a really good player,” said Kevaughn Frater. “They have a lot of talent but if we can move their players and pull them out position we can do well.”
“Pecka is a good player –a really good player,” said Trittschuh. “San Antonio are a good team with good depth so we know we’ve got to come out strong and be ready to play.”
After recording back-to-back wins for the first time in 2017, the Switchbacks lost an intense contest in Kansas City, Missouri on Wednesday evening as they fell 2-1 to the Swope Park Rangers at Children’s Mercy Victory Park. Eddy Prugh opened the scoring for the Switchbacks in the 23rd minute with his first goal of the campaign after a powerful run and delightful piece of skill from reigning ULS Player of the Week Kevaughn Frater set up the Bozeman, Montana native. “It was good to finally get one,” said Prugh. “The first one is always the hardest – it’s a cliché, but it’s true. Hopefully, now there’s many more to come. San Antonio are good defensively, so we need to stick to our training and get at our opponents and put them under pressure.”
“We had a really good first half against Swope Park so we need to focus on that,” said Trittschuh. “Swope Park’s second goal shouldn’t have counted – it should have been called for a foul on Jordy [Burt]. But that’s behind us now. I think we’ll show up tomorrow and play our game.”
The Switchbacks are one of just four teams to have taken any points from San Antonio FC this season. An Aaron King strike inside of 15 minutes at Toyota Field on April 7th looked set to earn the Switchbacks a priceless three points on the road before Tyrpak equalized 10 minutes from time to hold the Switchbacks to a 1-1 draw. “It was early in the year but what a good battle,” said King when asked to reflect on April’s draw. “It’s a very exciting level of competition in that matchup with San Antonio. I’m excited for the big games – it’s always been that way and of course, it’s in the back of my mind to hopefully get on the score sheet again.”
“We could have won in San Antonio,” said Shane Malcolm. “This is the time we can get them back at our home.”
The Switchbacks will return to Weidner Field on Saturday, July 1st to host the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros. Fireworks will once again follow that match, courtesy of Oakwood Homes, as the Switchbacks gather for their Independence Celebration three days before the Fourth. The Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 will then visit Colorado Springs a week later, on July 8th. The match against Vancouver will see the fourth of the Switchbacks’ Poster Giveaway series – the July 8th giveaway will be sponsored by Kneaders Bakery & Café. Fans will have the chance at completing their 2017 Poster Giveaway on September 9th when Phoenix Rising and their international superstar Didier Drogba visit Colorado Springs.
Weidner Field welcomes the Switchbacks FC back to Colorado Springs this Saturday evening as red-hot San Antonio FC visit the Front Range. Fireworks will follow the game, the first of a three-match home stand for the Switchbacks.
Undefeated in 2017 USL play, San Antonio FC will arrive rested for Saturday’s match following their comprehensive 3-1 win over the Tulsa Roughnecks FC on June 17th. The victory, San Antonio’s tenth this season, was led by an impressive brace from striker Kris Tyrpak. Tyrpak now has three goals this season, along with two assists in thirteen appearances. Tyrpak is well versed in the ways of scoring in the USL after spending last season’s campaign with the Swope Park Rangers.
“I expect San Antonio to come here strong. They’ve had time to prepare and see us play on Wednesday,” said Switchbacks winger Shane Malcolm. “They haven’t lost yet and that’s a big motivation. We gave them their first draw of the season so now we want to give them their first loss.”
Another familiar face for Switchbacks fans will be that of San Antonio FC defender Cyprian Hendrick, who played the previous three seasons for the Oklahoma City Energy FC. Hendrick partnered Sebastien Ibeagha – brother of former Switchbacks defender Christian Ibeagha – in the heart of San Antonio’s defense in the win over the Tulsa Roughnecks.
Unquestionably led by their defense, San Antonio FC lost a shutout streak of 672 minutes when Tulsa’s Joaquin Rivas equalized in the 27th minute last Saturday at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas. Until Rivas’ goal, San Antonio FC’s shutout run was the second longest such streak in USL regular season history. “They’re very, very good – especially defensively,” said right back Jordan Burt. “We’re going to have to play our best brand of soccer to win.”
“San Antonio are very organized and they’re playing with a lot of confidence,” said Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh. “They haven’t been scoring as much recently, but they keep their shape well. It’s going to take a lot of our players doing well for us to get the win.”
“Defending-wise I think San Antonio will press us as a team and try and counter-attack us using their wide players,” said striker Kevaughn Frater. “We’re looking for three points tomorrow; nothing else! We’re going to work and do everything to get the win. Maybe that will be through set pieces or from some skill…or maybe even from a piece of magic.”
Colombian Rafael Castillo is an invaluable cog in San Antonio FC’s midfield, where he is joined by Brazilian tactician Pecka. The fact that Pecka is San Antonio FC’s statistical leader in categories like tackles won, interceptions, and duels won doesn’t fully capture the midfielder’s importance to his squad. Without question among the first names Head Coach Darren Powell pens in his lineup card, Pecka is one of just two San Antonio FC players to have started all 14 matches this season, along with the aforementioned Sebastian Ibeagha.
“Pecka brings stability and hard work – he’s a really good player,” said Kevaughn Frater. “They have a lot of talent but if we can move their players and pull them out position we can do well.”
“Pecka is a good player –a really good player,” said Trittschuh. “San Antonio are a good team with good depth so we know we’ve got to come out strong and be ready to play.”
After recording back-to-back wins for the first time in 2017, the Switchbacks lost an intense contest in Kansas City, Missouri on Wednesday evening as they fell 2-1 to the Swope Park Rangers at Children’s Mercy Victory Park. Eddy Prugh opened the scoring for the Switchbacks in the 23rd minute with his first goal of the campaign after a powerful run and delightful piece of skill from reigning ULS Player of the Week Kevaughn Frater set up the Bozeman, Montana native. “It was good to finally get one,” said Prugh. “The first one is always the hardest – it’s a cliché, but it’s true. Hopefully, now there’s many more to come. San Antonio are good defensively, so we need to stick to our training and get at our opponents and put them under pressure.”
“We had a really good first half against Swope Park so we need to focus on that,” said Trittschuh. “Swope Park’s second goal shouldn’t have counted – it should have been called for a foul on Jordy [Burt]. But that’s behind us now. I think we’ll show up tomorrow and play our game.”
The Switchbacks are one of just four teams to have taken any points from San Antonio FC this season. An Aaron King strike inside of 15 minutes at Toyota Field on April 7th looked set to earn the Switchbacks a priceless three points on the road before Tyrpak equalized 10 minutes from time to hold the Switchbacks to a 1-1 draw. “It was early in the year but what a good battle,” said King when asked to reflect on April’s draw. “It’s a very exciting level of competition in that matchup with San Antonio. I’m excited for the big games – it’s always been that way and of course, it’s in the back of my mind to hopefully get on the score sheet again.”
“We could have won in San Antonio,” said Shane Malcolm. “This is the time we can get them back at our home.”
The Switchbacks will return to Weidner Field on Saturday, July 1st to host the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros. Fireworks will once again follow that match, courtesy of Oakwood Homes, as the Switchbacks gather for their Independence Celebration three days before the Fourth. The Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 will then visit Colorado Springs a week later, on July 8th. The match against Vancouver will see the fourth of the Switchbacks’ Poster Giveaway series – the July 8th giveaway will be sponsored by Kneaders Bakery & Café. Fans will have the chance at completing their 2017 Poster Giveaway on September 9th when Phoenix Rising and their international superstar Didier Drogba visit Colorado Springs.
