The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC concluded their 2022 preseason campaign on March 5th at Weidner Field with a dominant 7-0 win against the Real Monarchs of Salt Lake City.
“We would have probably liked a stiffer test,” said Switchbacks Head Coach and General Manager Brendan Burke. “But [Real Monarchs] gave us a heads up that they were coming with a younger group because of some first team injury issues and stuff like that, so it became more about us executing our principles.”
Zach Zandi was named the Better Business Bureau Man of the Match after his performance last weekend. Zandi was outstanding in central midfield against the Real Monarchs alongside Switchbacks newcomer Cam Lindley. “It freed Zach [Zandi] up,” said Head Coach Burke when asked about Lindley’s impact on Zandi’s performance. “Zach’s flexibility gives us all sorts of options in terms of how we line up, because he can play the eight, he can play the 10, and he can even be an inverted winger – and a good one.”
“I think it’s been great [to play with Lindley] – he’s a really intelligent player and I think both of us really feed well off each other,” said Zach Zandi on Monday afternoon. “We have good communication and a good understanding already of how both of us like to play, so I think we really benefit each other on the field and it’s been an absolute pleasure – he’s a great guy off the field as well. Every new addition has been incredible so far for us. Obviously it’s still preseason and there’s still a lot to improve upon, but throughout the preseason we’ve done a good job integrating all the new guys into the team and everyone’s been adding a lot to our team this year, and hopefully it will be a big improvement from last year.”
The Switchbacks’ 2022 preseason included an extended trip to the Valley of the Sun that saw the Switchbacks defeat the Barça Residency Academy and FC Tulsa. “That was an opportunity for us to be away with nothing else to do and nowhere else to go for a week, and also mix in some good games as well,” said Burke. “Having Tulsa come to us and seeing the Barça Academy – it worked out really well and just how we intended.”
“It was really good to get into the warm weather, but I think it was also good for us as just a bonding experience,” added Zandi. You’re around the guys 24/7 at that point, so you’re forced to interact and get to know the guys and I think that’s really important with our team cohesion and chemistry. That’s so important off the field and it translates to on-field performance. That trip was a big step for us as a group and it was a really good trip overall.”
Thirteen new players have been signed by the Switchbacks during the offseason, adding to a roster than includes the reigning USL Championship MVP Hadji Barry. Among the additions are USL stalwarts Macauley King, Elvis Amoh, Kharlton Belmar, and goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell.
“Bringing in competition at every position was a big part of what Brendan and the whole staff and the front office tried to do this offseason – and they’ve done that,” said Zandi. “That promotes everyone to get better – you have to win your position, you have to battle with the guy next to you, and that healthy competition is something that every team needs and it’s good for everyone. It makes everyone in the organization better; on the field, off the field, everything. That depth has really added a lot of quality to our team and it’s really important to every player. I think there were a lot of positive moments for us in preseason, but still a lot to improve on. But overall we’re happy with how it went and how we’ve developed, and we’re just looking forward to playing Orange County and getting the season started.”
The Switchbacks open the regular season on March 12th at Weidner Field in downtown Colorado Springs against the reigning USL Champions, Orange County SC. Tickets are available HERE, with the first 1,000 fans receiving a Switchbacks t-shirt courtesy of Weidner Apartment Homes. Gates open at 5pm.
