Two players kept the dream alive of playing professional soccer with the Switchbacks after being selected from the club’s open tryouts by the Switchbacks’ coaching staff. Edward Yepes and Sam Gardner have been training with the team this week with the hope of being signed to a professional contract for the 2020 USL Championship season.
“Both Eddie and Sam showed composure in possession and a willingness to defend for their teams in the tryouts. These are characteristics that we demand from all of our players,” said Switchbacks Head Coach, Alan Koch. “It's exciting to see how they now fare in with our current squad. Both players have shown potential. It is now about seeing if they are the right fit for what we are building with our team.”
Two players kept the dream alive of playing professional soccer with the Switchbacks after being selected from the club’s open tryouts by the Switchbacks’ coaching staff. Edward Yepes and Sam Gardner have been training with the team this week with the hope of being signed to a professional contract for the 2020 USL Championship season.
“Both Eddie and Sam showed composure in possession and a willingness to defend for their teams in the tryouts. These are characteristics that we demand from all of our players,” said Switchbacks Head Coach, Alan Koch. “It’s exciting to see how they now fare in with our current squad. Both players have shown potential. It is now about seeing if they are the right fit for what we are building with our team.”
Yepes, 23, has previously played for the Pride Switchbacks U23 in USL League Two and Central Connecticut State University. The young left back grew up in Colorado Springs and played for Pride Soccer Club where he was named State Cup MVP after winning a state championship.
“It’s amazing. The level is definitely a lot higher,” said Yepes. “The experience has been really great, the guys have been great, the team’s looking really good. I’m just excited to be a part of it and see how long I can be here for.”
Yepes, 23, has previously played for the Pride Switchbacks U23 in USL League Two and Central Connecticut State University. The young left back grew up in Colorado Springs and played for Pride Soccer Club where he was named State Cup MVP after winning a state championship.
“It’s amazing. The level is definitely a lot higher,” said Yepes. “The experience has been really great, the guys have been great, the team’s looking really good. I’m just excited to be a part of it and see how long I can be here for.”
Gardner, 22, previously played for Grand Canyon University (AZ). The 6’4” center back registered a goal and two assists in 21 appearances for the Antelopes in 2018.
“It’s awesome. There are definitely some learning curves, some new things to learn. But the guys have been super helpful with getting adjusted in this period. The team is looking really good and we’re looking to improve every day.”
Gardner, 22, previously played for Grand Canyon University (AZ). The 6’4” center back registered a goal and two assists in 21 appearances for the Antelopes in 2018.
“It’s awesome. There are definitely some learning curves, some new things to learn. But the guys have been super helpful with getting adjusted in this period. The team is looking really good and we’re looking to improve every day.”
The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC will begin its sixth season in the USL Championship on Saturday, March 7th at OKC Energy FC before returning home to face San Antonio FC on March 14th at Weidner Field with gates opening at 2:30pm MT.
Full 16oz beers will be available for only $1 for the first 30 minutes after gates open at EVERY Switchbacks home game in 2020! Tickets will start at just $12 so for the price of a Switchbacks ticket and 2-5 beers, it's cheaper than buying 2-5 beers at a bar or restaurant.
The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC will begin its sixth season in the USL Championship on Saturday, March 7th at OKC Energy FC before returning home to face San Antonio FC on March 14th at Weidner Field with gates opening at 2:30pm MT.
Full 16oz beers will be available for only $1 for the first 30 minutes after gates open at EVERY Switchbacks home game in 2020! Tickets will start at just $12 so for the price of a Switchbacks ticket and 2-5 beers, it’s cheaper than buying 2-5 beers at a bar or restaurant.