COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO (May 27th, 2023) – The Colorado Springs Switchbacks got a late goal in Tampa but were unable to capture points out east, falling 2-1 to the Rowdies.
Tampa Bay brought the pace right from the opening whistle as they earned the first chance in just the second minute, but Switchbacks keeper #1 Christian Herrera who has been very good in frame, kept the Rowdies off the board. The Rowdies would get the first strike just minutes later, when Charlie Dennis sent a corner kick bending towards goal, the service ricocheted off Herrera and in. There appeared to be contact with Herrera from a Tampa defender, but the goal would stand and Tampa took the early lead.
Tampa would find another goal in the 44th minute as JJ Williams tapped home a centered ball past Herrera to double the lead for Tampa Bay. The Switchbacks had several promising chances but couldn’t find the finish in the first half, and headed to the locker room down a pair.
In the second half the Switchbacks adjustments looked effective as they began to dominate possession, holding the ball for 56.2% or the second half. It appeared that the Switchbacks were going to find the net in the 54th minute as he made an impressive run from the defensive half all the way inside the Rowdies 18 yard box. He unleashed a blast towards the near post, but a fully extended #1 Connor Sparrow pushed the shot wide with his finger tips. It would take 47 minutes of second half play for the Switchbacks to find pay dirt, as #17 Jairo Henriquez launched a shot just under the bar to cut the lead to a goal. The late momentum wouldn’t be enough for the visitors as Tampa Bay escapes with three points.
The Colorado Springs Switchbacks return home to Weidner Field this Friday, June 2nd for one of our most popular matches: Galactic Night, as they take on Oakland Roots SC. For tickets to that match, and all others, head HERE.
Match Statistics:
Saves: COS: Herrera: (3) TBR: Sparrow (1)
Goals: TBR: Herrera (OG 7′); Williams (44′) (A: Spaulding) COS: Henriquez (90+2′) (A: M. Foster)
Discipline: COS: YC: D. Beckford (63′) TBR: YC: C. Dennis (65′); Guillen (90+6′)
