On Saturday evening the Switchbacks host Sacramento Republic in the USL Championship Western Conference Semifinals at Weidner Field in downtown Colorado Springs. Gates open at 5pm with tickets available HERE.
A brilliant performance from the Switchbacks saw their run in the playoffs begin with a dominant 3-0 win over the visiting Rio Grande Valley FC Toros last Saturday at Weidner Field, courtesy of an 84th minute goal from El Salvadorian Jairo Henríquez and an off-the-bench brace by Baltimorean Aaron Wheeler. Sacramento reached this weekend’s match at Weidner Field after a comfortable 2-0 win over New Mexico United last Saturday at Heart Health Park in California’s capital city.
What the Switchbacks Say:
Switchbacks Head Coach and General Manager Brendan Burke: “We were really happy with that [against RGV]. I thought it was one of our more complete performances of the year. [RGV] had one – or maybe not even one – opportunity inside our box, which is pretty unheard of in a playoff game, so that tells me we were dominant in the right spaces and we kept the game in front of us all night. That was fantastic [for Wheeler to score twice]. When we decided to bring him back I could never have imagined that he was going to impact so many games and have such a meaningful impact on the locker room as well. [He’s] been one of our best signings of the year.
“To have two home playoff games after years and years of not having one – and at the new facility – we’re so far ahead of schedule, it’s crazy. We’re just trying to stay focused and rooted in our weekly preparation, the way we have all year, and that sets us up to have a good chance to hopefully entertain a sellout home crowd!”
Striker Aaron Wheeler: “It’s an ideal situation to come in and be able to play 15 minutes and help contribute to the team’s success. If we’re going to make a deep run in this playoffs like we’re hoping to, it’s going to take different [kinds of] performances and different individual performances and then to add that collectively to the group. Last week [vs. RGV] was one of those where Jairo [Henriquez] and myself combined at the end of the game, and this week it could be two or three other guys, so it’s just reality that I’m happy to contribute and happy to come in off the bench and do my job. Hopefully given the atmosphere that we had here last weekend – and we’re expecting the same electricity this weekend – we can just carry [that momentum] through into Saturday night. Last weekend was fantastic [at Weidner Field] and again; we’re expecting the same atmosphere and the same kind of energy [the fans] will give us and hopefully that will push us through to another result and hopefully be in a Western Conference Final.”
Scouting Sacramento:
“[Sacramento] have real deep Cup experience which is really valuable, because they know that games at this point in the season are going to be a scrap and can be decided on a mistake,” said Brendan Burke. “It’s about duels, it’s about loose balls, it’s about keeping the ball in front of you…and [Sacramento] are very well prepared for those types of battles. [Rodrigo] López certainly makes them tick, but [Maalique] Foster can stretch the game in a meaningful way. [Jack] Gurr’s service is very good. [Damià] Viader can open you up in combination. [Luis] Felipe can score from distance or from set-pieces, so they have a ton of weapons – they have a really deep roster. I think they’ll get after the game a little bit. I think at this stage of the season you can get caught if you sit-in – you kind of bring too much pressure on yourself if you sit-in. I expect them to come out a little.”
“[Sacramento have] experience,” said Aaron Wheeler. “They’re a bunch of veteran guys that have just been to a [Lamar Hunt U.S.] Open Cup Final this year and they’re a bunch of men who’ve had a great year, and who are looking for similar success in this run in the playoffs. We just have to be tuned in [and] pay attention to the details.”
Vargish’s View:
The Switchbacks were superb against Rio Grande Valley and will need an equally masterful performance to vanquish a deeply talented Sacramento side that’s full of veteran players. Sacramento’s quality was on full display as Head Coach Mark Briggs’ club reached this season’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final in superb fashion – eventually falling to three late goals from MLS’s Orlando City SC.
National pundits dismissively discounted the Switchbacks’ chances last weekend against RGV, and make no mistake, Brendan Burke’s team noticed. After walloping the Toros, the Switchbacks must ready themselves for a far different test this Saturday. Sacramento will not be uncomfortable in possession, and Saturday’s visitors can be deadly from set-pieces. But the Switchbacks are at home in front of a Weidner Field crowd desperate for this season to continue.
