The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC travel to the Valley of the Sun this weekend as they face high-flying Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday evening in Scottsdale.
Phoenix Rising sit in third place in the USL’s Western Conference at the time of writing, with Rick Schantz’s team hosting San Antonio FC at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex on Wednesday evening. Phoenix have amassed a roster that’s littered with talent, led by former Chelsea superstar Didier Drogba, although the Ivorian’s current playing status remains uncertain as the Phoenix Rising part-owner has only featured five times for Phoenix this USL season. Defender Tristan Blackmon joined Drogba’s club on August 15th on-loan from LAFC of Major League Soccer to bolster a defensive unit that’s marshalled by number one goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski. Chris Cortez and Solomon Asante have each bagged eleven goals this season to top Phoenix’s stats-chart, while Québécois midfielder Alessandro Riggi is just one assist behind Asante’s club lead of six.
One-time-Switchbacks striker Kevaughn Frater led the attacking line for Phoenix in their 2-0 win against the Las Vegas Lights last weekend at Cashman Field in Nevada. Frater scored a penalty kick just before full time after Asante had given the away side the lead on the ten-minute mark.
“When Phoenix [Rising FC] played in Las Vegas we weren’t able to get the best indication of how Phoenix play – the field in Vegas is small and it’s a different game there…but they did what they had to to win,” said Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh. “We’ll see on Wednesday what they’re really about and we’ll make video clips for the team so we can focus on Phoenix’s strengths. Our team has seen Phoenix play and we know what they’re about. They have a lot of quality and experience. Phoenix is a quality squad all the way through. They’ve got international and MLS-level players – there’s a reason they’re up at the top of the league. [Jason] Johnson and [Solomon] Asante are very good players. [Chris] Cortez of course too. And Kevaughn Frater is there and he’s been doing well lately and got one of their goals in Vegas. It’s no secret that we’re going to try and win all three games we have in a week – starting in Phoenix.”
As the Switchbacks practiced in smoky Colorado Springs on Monday afternoon, temperatures in Phoenix climbed over 105 degrees. The forecast for Saturday’s match is set to be above the triple-digit mark, with mandatory water breaks a certainty.
“Of course we need to hydrate and play smart down there on Saturday, but it’s all about getting a win,” said winger Saeed Robinson. “We just have to win. This is our playoffs now; it’s all must-win. We have to take the chances we’re creating. It’s do-or-die.”
“With the bye-week it’s been good to rejuvenate our bodies,” said Taylor Hunter. “We have eight games left and we go into this weekend thinking we have to win them all. We’ll try to put the conditions out of our minds and just deal with the heat.”
The Switchbacks have not played since a 2-1 defeat to the Tulsa Roughnecks FC on August 11th. Mason Toye – on loan from Minnesota United of the MLS – started for the Switchbacks at ONEOK Field against the Roughnecks. Toye’s availability for the Switchbacks going forward is unknown after he was recalled to Minnesota United’s squad and came off the bench as a second half substitute to replace Finish international Rasmus Schüller for MUFC in their 2-0 loss at FC Dallas on Saturday evening.
“Tulsa was a tough one,” admitted midfielder Luke Vercollone. “But it’s behind us now and we need to move on one day at a time. We’re focused on Phoenix. Individually we’ll watch Phoenix on Wednesday – they’ve got some great talent on their team. We’ve got to be prepared for a lot of individual skill from Phoenix and make sure we are bringing our best game to them. We’ll do our best with the heat…but most of all; we just have to make sure we want the win and want to play our game more.”
Saturday’s match in Scottsdale will be the first of three games for the Switchbacks in the span of a week. On Wednesday, August 29th the Switchbacks will host the Real Monarchs of Salt Lake City at Weidner Field on 1980’s Night, presented by Penrose-St. Francis Health Services and Centura Health, with the first 500 fans in attendance receiving a mini soccer ball and a poster giveaway.
On Saturday, September 1st the Switchbacks return to the road as they take on the Los Angeles Galaxy II at the StubHub Center in Carson, California. Two weeks later Steve Trittschuh’s men return to Weidner Field for the visit of the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros on Super Hero Night. The Switchbacks will play their final regular season match at Weidner Field on September 22nd against Saturday’s opponents, Phoenix Rising FC, on Fan Appreciation Night with fireworks to follow the full-time whistle.
“The guys are staying positive after Tulsa and keeping all the negative vibes out,” said Trittschuh. “We’ve had some talks as a group, and we’re focused on making sure there’s nothing negative about our attitude and our game – on Saturday in Phoenix and every day at practice.”
The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC travel to the Valley of the Sun this weekend as they face high-flying Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday evening in Scottsdale.
Phoenix Rising sit in third place in the USL’s Western Conference at the time of writing, with Rick Schantz’s team hosting San Antonio FC at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex on Wednesday evening. Phoenix have amassed a roster that’s littered with talent, led by former Chelsea superstar Didier Drogba, although the Ivorian’s current playing status remains uncertain as the Phoenix Rising part-owner has only featured five times for Phoenix this USL season. Defender Tristan Blackmon joined Drogba’s club on August 15th on-loan from LAFC of Major League Soccer to bolster a defensive unit that’s marshalled by number one goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski. Chris Cortez and Solomon Asante have each bagged eleven goals this season to top Phoenix’s stats-chart, while Québécois midfielder Alessandro Riggi is just one assist behind Asante’s club lead of six.
One-time-Switchbacks striker Kevaughn Frater led the attacking line for Phoenix in their 2-0 win against the Las Vegas Lights last weekend at Cashman Field in Nevada. Frater scored a penalty kick just before full time after Asante had given the away side the lead on the ten-minute mark.
“When Phoenix [Rising FC] played in Las Vegas we weren’t able to get the best indication of how Phoenix play – the field in Vegas is small and it’s a different game there…but they did what they had to to win,” said Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh. “We’ll see on Wednesday what they’re really about and we’ll make video clips for the team so we can focus on Phoenix’s strengths. Our team has seen Phoenix play and we know what they’re about. They have a lot of quality and experience. Phoenix is a quality squad all the way through. They’ve got international and MLS-level players – there’s a reason they’re up at the top of the league. [Jason] Johnson and [Solomon] Asante are very good players. [Chris] Cortez of course too. And Kevaughn Frater is there and he’s been doing well lately and got one of their goals in Vegas. It’s no secret that we’re going to try and win all three games we have in a week – starting in Phoenix.”
As the Switchbacks practiced in smoky Colorado Springs on Monday afternoon, temperatures in Phoenix climbed over 105 degrees. The forecast for Saturday’s match is set to be above the triple-digit mark, with mandatory water breaks a certainty.
“Of course we need to hydrate and play smart down there on Saturday, but it’s all about getting a win,” said winger Saeed Robinson. “We just have to win. This is our playoffs now; it’s all must-win. We have to take the chances we’re creating. It’s do-or-die.”
“With the bye-week it’s been good to rejuvenate our bodies,” said Taylor Hunter. “We have eight games left and we go into this weekend thinking we have to win them all. We’ll try to put the conditions out of our minds and just deal with the heat.”
The Switchbacks have not played since a 2-1 defeat to the Tulsa Roughnecks FC on August 11th. Mason Toye – on loan from Minnesota United of the MLS – started for the Switchbacks at ONEOK Field against the Roughnecks. Toye’s availability for the Switchbacks going forward is unknown after he was recalled to Minnesota United’s squad and came off the bench as a second half substitute to replace Finish international Rasmus Schüller for MUFC in their 2-0 loss at FC Dallas on Saturday evening.
“Tulsa was a tough one,” admitted midfielder Luke Vercollone. “But it’s behind us now and we need to move on one day at a time. We’re focused on Phoenix. Individually we’ll watch Phoenix on Wednesday – they’ve got some great talent on their team. We’ve got to be prepared for a lot of individual skill from Phoenix and make sure we are bringing our best game to them. We’ll do our best with the heat…but most of all; we just have to make sure we want the win and want to play our game more.”
Saturday’s match in Scottsdale will be the first of three games for the Switchbacks in the span of a week. On Wednesday, August 29th the Switchbacks will host the Real Monarchs of Salt Lake City at Weidner Field on 1980’s Night, presented by Penrose-St. Francis Health Services and Centura Health, with the first 500 fans in attendance receiving a mini soccer ball and a poster giveaway.
On Saturday, September 1st the Switchbacks return to the road as they take on the Los Angeles Galaxy II at the StubHub Center in Carson, California. Two weeks later Steve Trittschuh’s men return to Weidner Field for the visit of the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros on Super Hero Night. The Switchbacks will play their final regular season match at Weidner Field on September 22nd against Saturday’s opponents, Phoenix Rising FC, on Fan Appreciation Night with fireworks to follow the full-time whistle.
“The guys are staying positive after Tulsa and keeping all the negative vibes out,” said Trittschuh. “We’ve had some talks as a group, and we’re focused on making sure there’s nothing negative about our attitude and our game – on Saturday in Phoenix and every day at practice.”
