Opponent: Phoenix Rising FC
Match Date: April 13, 2024
Location: Phoenix Rising Stadium
Kickoff: 8:30pm MT
Last Meeting with Opponent: Switchbacks 2, Phoenix Rising 0. October 14th , 2023, Weidner Field, Colorado Springs. Goals from Juan Tejada (12’) and Jairo Henriquez (29’).
How to Listen: XTRA Sports 1300am with the Voices of the Switchbacks, Ryan Kaufman and Roland Vargish – coverage starts at 8:00pm MT.
Player’s Points: “I haven’t played for so long and the coaches keep trust in me and then they give me this opportunity, so I really appreciate it,” said Ghanaian defender Wahab Ackwei. “Unfortunately we didn’t get the result that we wanted. We have to focus on ourselves – obviously we haven’t gotten the results that we want, but going to Phoenix we know it’s going to be difficult, but I one hundred percent believe in the team and the coaching staff. You can see from training today [with] everybody; the intensity was so high, and I have no doubt we’re going to bring the three points home.”
Coach Chamber’s Comments: “Honestly for someone who hasn’t played in like 6 to 8 months I thought [Wahab] was fantastic [against Sacramento]. Obviously it wasn’t an extremely polished performance from him, but [he was great] in regards to coming in like that and having the right mentality to just try and improve the group and do his best to keep a clean sheet. We know the more he gets exposed to games, the better he’s going to be and the quicker he’ll return to full game fitness. He’s been an unbelievable addition to the group. “Look, the mood is confident [within the team]. [We’re] not happy that [we’re] 0-4, there’s no doubt about that, but the group doesn’t feel defeated. [The group is] ready and it has a little chip on the shoulder that we’re in this position, so I’m really excited for where we’re at [and] I’m happy with where [we are] and we’re looking forward to where we’re going this weekend.”
Opposition Outlook: “[Phoenix Rising] are obviously defending champions in their own building,” continued Head Coach Chambers. “They’re a really good side with a lot of talent and look, they’ll be looking to try and turn around their form which – they’ve got obviously four points on the board – but is a little bit patchy as late, [just] as we’ve been. It will be an entertaining game and we just want to go down there and focus on ourselves.”
Vargish’s View: Phoenix Rising are 1-3-1 in 2024 and have experienced a lot of roster and technical staff turnover since winning the USL Championship last season. Phoenix’s last match – a wild, chaotic 3-3 draw against FC Tulsa last Friday evening in Oklahoma – will leave the
Rising without the services of midfielder Emil Cuello against the Switchbacks, as the Argentine was red carded just after the hour mark. Saturday night presents a unique opportunity for the Switchbacks to arrest the slide that has engulfed their start to the season. There was a definite response from the players brought on at halftime of the loss to Sacramento at Weidner Field – many of whom will no doubt be pushing for inclusion in the Valley of the Sun. The Switchbacks will have to withstand significant pressure from a Phoenix team that will be desperate to log their second win of the season, and it’s entirely plausible that Saturday’s result will be dictated by which team plays with a confidence that belies their respective early-season league results.