COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Mar. 31, 2023) – The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC announced today it had signed Dillon Clarke of Pride Soccer to a USL Academy contract for the 2023 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval. As a USL Academy signing, Clarke can train and compete for the Switchbacks in the USL Championship and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup without forgoing his NCAA eligibility.
“Dillon [Clarke] is a great young person with the right attitude toward working hard to get what he wants in the game,” said Head Coach and GM Stephen Hogan. “His energy and ability with the ball in training has brought him to this point. Now we’ll enjoy the development phase of Dillon’s career and look forward to seeing him grow as a person in our locker room.”
A native of Colorado Springs, Clarke has played soccer since he was three years old. The 16-year-old has competed for Pride Soccer since 2010, and he is eager to grow as an athlete with the Switchbacks this season.
“I just want to say how excited I am to have the opportunity to sign with the Switchbacks,” said Clarke on the signing. “This experience so far has been an unforgettable one. I would also like to thank my family for always supporting me, my Coach and trainer Johnny Oceguera with Prodigy Futbol Development for always pushing me, my teammates, who I wouldn’t be where I am today without, and Pride Soccer for providing the foundation for me to play.”
Clarke will join the Switchbacks First Team for regular practices as well as be eligible for selection in the gameday squad during the current season, including the Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup. We are excited about what this means for the development of the club and its academy program alongside top local youth clubs in the region and look forward to seeing this young athlete flourish in his new position.