Following two of the most impressive wins in club history, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC make their way to the Motor City for a Wednesday evening matchup with Detroit City FC. Last Saturday the Switchbacks defeated table-topping Sacramento Republic 2-0 behind two of the best goals seen in all of 2023: a 29th minute peach from Jamaican striker Romario Williams and a 92nd bicycle kick stunner from El Salvadorian midfielder Jairo Henriquez.
What the Switchbacks Say:
Head Coach Stephen Hogan: “It was a structured performance [and] a professional performance [against Sacramento]. And one or two of [our] elements in transition came out, we just actually didn’t take advantage of those opportunities. There was [a part] 10 or 15 minutes into the game where we spotted the [dangerous] movements of two different [Sacramento] players, and we fixed it. And from then on it was the [defensive] unit shifting
together [and] the unit staying connected at nearly all times in that mid-block – as that happens with us and we win balls back [and] we win duels [and] we win possession back and go forward, we can actually really hurt teams. [And hurt them] not even in a transition moment, but just in a real dominant way in terms of moving the ball quickly side to side. [Last Saturday] was fantastic in that regard because that created our chances [through] that defensive shape. “We have to really look at everyone and assess everyone after the travel [to Detroit]. We had a good regen session with some of the guys that needed some work – they got a really good session with Alan and Chambo. We’ll see what we do when we’re in Detroit, and then really prepare a plan and prepare the best way we can in the way we play, with what [and who] we have to play with.”
In Depth on Detroit:
Detroit City are 10-13-7 in USL Championship play this season and enter Wednesday’s game having swept aside hapless Hartford Athletic 3-0 last Saturday at Keyworth Stadium. At the time of writing, Detroit occupy 8th position in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of FC Tulsa, although Detroit do have a precious game in hand.
“[Detroit is about] that [team] pressure – [they’re] aggressive, with a win-every-duel-first mentality in that environment in Detroit,” said Switchbacks Head Coach Hogan. “In that stadium they have everyone nice and tight to the field. I’ve known [Detroit City FC Head Coach] Trevor [James] for quite a bit and he’s a fantastic coach. He probably would have been thinking that they’d be higher in the league because of the way they play, especially at home. We have to first win those battles in those dual situations and then hopefully our football can take over
beyond that mid-block.”
“We just talked about [Detroit] yesterday in regen – we were talking about literally [Detroit’s] whole XI and their bench,” continued Hogan. “It’s a collective [effort from Detroit]. It’s Trevor’s voice – it’s a complete collective effort from them, so no, we don’t really talk or think about one individual [player on Detroit]. We think about their attacking phases and their structure, and if we take care of that maybe we’ll take our opportunities.”
Vargish’s View:
Detroit City FC embody the Motor City: they’re hardworking, they’re gritty, and while they may not wow you with flair and panache, they grind out results and make themselves mightily difficult to beat. The Switchbacks are locked in their best run of form this season. Wins against red-hot Orange County SC and high-flying Sacramento Republic have the Switchbacks heading to the Great Lake State with tangible momentum. On Wednesday night the Switchbacks will be tested, and they’ll be asked to play around physical challenges and show their free-flowing attacking quality. If they can get their legs back after a late night effort in Colorado Springs and quiet the Keyworth Stadium contingent, the Switchbacks will be heading back to Southern Colorado with another priceless three points as the postseason grows ever closer.
