Opponent: Orange County SC
Match Date: June 15
Location: Weidner Field
Doors Open: 6pm MT. Limited tickets remain available HERE!
How to Listen: XTRA Sports 1300am with the Voices of the Switchbacks, Ryan Kaufman and Roland Vargish – coverage starts at 6:30pm MT.
Player’s Points: “It feels great feels great [to score],” said Switchbacks defender Wahab Ackwei. The Ghanaian’s fifth minute goal gave the Switchbacks the lead last Saturday night in Memphis. “I haven’t been playing for so long, and it felt amazing to help the team to get a point – we wanted the three points, but unfortunately we didn’t get [them]. It’s good to be back and to score for the team. Everybody in the team is doing well – you can see [that] from the players. If you look at the direction where we are going, I think we need to take our home games seriously – we have to win all [our] home games. It feels good [to be back at Weidner Field]. The home fans always give us energy – they are always cheering us [and] supporting [us] whether [we’re playing] good or bad, so I want them to all come and watch us and then to celebrate with them after the three points.”
Coach Chamber’s Comments: “[Wahab is] still probably a little bit away from 100% as regards [to his] game fitness and being back in rhythm,” said Head Coach James Chambers. “The reality is he got pushed in earlier in the season and did a really good job for us – [he] had to wait and be patient and [I’m] just delighted that he took his opportunities. [It was] similar to Delentz [Pierre] the week before [against the Oakland Roots], so [I’m] very happy for him. We have more or less everybody back in contention [for Saturday] which is huge as we go through the rest of this month.”
Opposition Outlook: “[Orange Country have] some really, really good pieces,” continued Head Coach Chambers. “[They have] good attacking players [and] good pace [and a] good midfield. They are really tidy on the ball, and then [they’re] strong at the back, so again, like every opponent at this level it’s another tough challenge – a really, really tough challenge for us.
“[Former Switchbacks striker] Thomas [Amang] is a really good player and he’s found form. He’s obviously got a lot of goals at this level – he’s done well. He’s still probably a little bit away from, I think, the top level that Thomas is probably capable of, and I’m sure Orange County will be able to get that out of him, no doubt. He’s a real threat. He’s really good [at] holding the ball up and [he’s] a threat in behind, so the boys will have their work cut out for them, most definitely.
“Brian [Iloski] is still there and he’s a top player at this level. [He’s] very creative [and] finds good spaces [and] can take people on and create chances out of nothing. We know what we’re up against and we’re just excited to get back home.”
Vargish’s View: Orange County have some vastly experienced players, but have found themselves mired in a rough patch of form that’s seen OC log just a solitary win – along with four losses – in their last five matches. The Switchbacks are unbeaten since April 13th and have engineered a steady climb up the USL Championship’s Western Conference table. Dealing with Thomas Amang’s physicality and goal threat will be paramount for the Switchbacks on Saturday
