It’s Superhero Night on Saturday evening as Detroit City FC visit Weidner Field in downtown Colorado Springs to face the red-hot Switchbacks. Gates open at 6pm, with tickets available HERE.
The Switchbacks have won three games in a row at Weidner Field by a goal to nil. Last Saturday, a Jairo Henríquez strike in the 55th minute – courtesy of an immaculate assist from Hadji Barry – was enough for the Switchbacks to vanquish Phoenix Rising. On Tuesday Cam Lindley was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week after a splendid performance in the heart of the Switchbacks’ midfield against Phoenix.
What the Switchbacks Say:
Switchbacks defender Michael Edwards. Edwards, on loan from the Colorado Rapids, started at right back for the Switchbacks in the win over Phoenix Rising. “I think it went well. It took me about 45 minutes to find my footing at right back, but I thought as I got going – [and] as the game went on – I thought I did well and it was good to get three points. That’s probably my first time [at right back] at a high level, but I think I’ll get more time there this year and I’ll feel good and more comfortable as the rest of the year goes on.”
Switchbacks Head Coach and General Manager Brendan Burke: “[Michael Edwards] was great [against Phoenix]. We knew he was a good center back at this level and we had a feeling because of his physical qualities that he’d be a good right back as well, and I thought he was excellent in the game. It was a little bit of a plug-and-play, but we are also experimenting with the possibility of him having the ability to be a big, modern full back.
“There aren’t many runs of clean sheets longer [than the Switchbacks’ three in a row] in the league this year, and those runs have been by big teams. So we’ve put ourselves right back in the mix for the #2 spot in the West, which is phenomenal progress from last year. We are certainly within touching distance of having a home playoff game, and we can taste that and I think that’s going to bring out even more energy in our performances – certainly at home. What we were put through in the summer with the Covid situation and the schedule in general…that was a brutal summer – probably the worst I’ve been through at the professional level. It’s so refreshing to be out of that and put three clean sheets together and to have a home crowd behind you where we’re regularly getting up around 7,000 people in the building gives you enough energy – like we talked about last week – to close out games.”
Details on Detroit:
Detroit City are 11-6-10 in their inaugural season in the USL Championship. Head Coach Trevor James’ club are 6-4-3 away from the Motor City, and head to Southern Colorado after a 0-0 draw against Indy Eleven last Saturday at Keyworth Stadium in Michigan.
“I think Detroit are well structured and well coached – Trevor [James] does a good job, he’s been around forever, and they don’t lose their shape,” said Brendan Burke. “I’ve watched probably seven or eight of their games this year in their entirety and we’re starting to go through film now and they just don’t lose their shape, and they’re very committed in their defensive running. [Pato] Botello Faz is their leading goal scorer and is a big-bodied guy, and if you let [Detroit] get into crossing positions on a regular basis, then he is going to hurt you at some point. I think pinning them back and having the ball are keys to the game for us.”
“[Detroit] are new to the league, but we’re going to prepare for them like we prepare for any other team,” said Michael Edwards. “It’s just another match and we have to go out there and play like we do, train like we do, and I think we’ll get three points. It means a ton [to play at Weidner Field]. The fans are great, the energy is always good, they keep us going, they keep us hungry for more, and we’re excited to be in front of them again on Saturday.”
Vargish’s View: The Switchbacks have looked unassailable at Weidner Field in recent weeks, and now stand just a lone point behind San Diego Loyal for second place in the Western Conference. Detroit City are organized, tactically disciplined, and physically imposing, and will need to slow Saturday’s game to a walking pace if they are to leave Weidner Field with points. If the Switchbacks can dictate possession – and with it the tempo of the match – then a fourth straight home win seems inevitable.