After winning their first three matches, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC head to the Magic City this Saturday evening for a showdown with The Miami FC. Kickoff is scheduled for 5pm MT from Riccardo Silva Stadium on the campus of Florida International University. Live coverage on XTRA Sports 1300 AM with the voice of the Switchbacks, Ryan Kaufman, starts at 4:30pm.
Matt Mahoney, Cam Lindley and Hadji Barry were all named to the USL Championship Team of the Week on Tuesday after the Switchbacks’ 2-0 win against Birmingham Legion FC last Saturday in the Yellowhammer State. The Miami FC, are 1-1-1 through their first three games and enter this weekend off the back of a scoreless draw against 10-men Loudoun United.
What the Switchbacks Say:
Cam Lindley:
“I think [being named to the USL Team of the Week] is just a shout-out to our team. Two guys [starting] on the Team of the Week is unbelievable and it shows how well we’ve been playing. It was an important win on the road and any time I get success it means the team is doing well.
“[Miami] are a tough team – they’ve got lots of good players, guys that we’ve played against and played with…we know what we’re going into. They’re experienced, with a good Coach in Anthony Pulis, so we know we’re going to have to be at our best, be sound defensively and hopefully get our wingers and our attackers going. When arguably your best player hasn’t scored a goal yet, and you’re still winning games; I think that’s pretty good and it’s clicking for sure.
“Our staff does a great job preparing us for every week. In preseason it was great to be here [in Colorado Springs] – you feel like you have extra lungs when you’re down there [in Birmingham]. Being in midfield I feel like I can run forever and [training at altitude] definitely benefits us.”
Switchbacks Head Coach and General Manager Brendan Burke:
“[Cam] has been massive for us. His communication levels are through the roof, his running is through the roof, and his ability to pass the ball over any range is really, really impressive. Cam has been everything we thought we were getting when we signed him.
“We’re in pretty good shape for this weekend other than one or two key injuries that we’re still dealing with, but outside of that I love the group and the next man up mentality has been awesome. Beverley [Makangila] and Isaiah [Foster] making their first start in Birmingham was huge. [Zach] Zandi, [Matt] Mahoney, Malik [Johnson] – guys playing out of their normal position and still killing it. Those are all really good signs that we have a good culture right now. I don’t think either Malik or Isaiah missed a beat during the game – there was no moment where we were shaky. We just have to replicate it now; that’s the hard part. [Macauley King] has had some setbacks along the way, but it’s good that he’s back mixed into the group. We’re looking forward to getting the opportunity – whenever it comes – to mix him back in on the field.
“Miami have a really good roster. They have a really good team and they’re going to get Speedy [Devon Williams] and Lamar [Walker] back on the weekend, who are two really high-end players at this level. Miami are ready to explode – we just have to make sure it’s not against us.”
The Miami FC Ones to Watch:
El Salvador international Joshua Pérez and former University of Wisconsin Badger Mark Segbers are the scorers of The Miami FC’s two goals this season. Both Jake McGuire and Connor Sparrow have seen time in goal behind a back line that includes the golden left foot of wing back Luca Antonelli.
Devon ‘Speedy’ Williams played all 90 minutes in Jamaica’s 2-1 win over Honduras in Kingston on Wednesday evening, while Lamar Walker came off the bench for the Reggae Boyz. Fellow Jamaican and USL Championship veteran Romeo Parkes has started all three of Miami’s matches in 2022. Head Coach Anthony Pulis has relied on the towering figure of Bolu Akinyode to play every minute this season in the holding midfield role.
Vargish’s View:
At the time of writing, the Switchbacks are atop the USL Championship’s Western Conference. And for good reason. Last weekend’s win over Birmingham showed the professionalism and relentless desire that the Switchbacks are fast becoming known for in 2022.
On the other side, long stretches of Miami’s 0-0 draw against Loudoun United last weekend were flatter than a hiking trip in Nebraska. Make no mistake about it; Saturday’s matchup is the second straight week the Switchbacks will travel to face a deep and talented Eastern Conference team. But Brendan Burke’s squad are the hottest team in the league and are seeing their new additions fit seamlessly into a system that’s proven to be difficult for opponents to combat.
