Opponent: FC Tulsa for a Fourth of July Spectacular!!
Match Date: July 4
Location: Weidner Field
Doors Open: 5 pm 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.
Giveaway Item: Light up foam sticks thanks to Pikes Peak National Bank
Coach Chambers’ Comments: “It was a good win [against Monterey Bay]. It was a good performance – a performance [where] I feel like we controlled the majority of the game, but we didn’t put away our chances, so we’re disappointed with that. But obviously three points is three points, so we learn from it [and] we move on and [there is a] quick turnaround to Thursday’s game. “[It’s a] great save [from Christian Herrera late against Monterey]. And that was what we were worried about and what we had spoken about – if we don’t put our chances away, we’re going to be susceptible to conceding. We conceded a really good chance and Chris came up with a very good save that we shouldn’t have needed, but we did [need it], and obviously that’s what he’s there for. He saved us two points there on that [save]. “Honestly it means it means the world to us [to play at Weidner Field]. It really does. It honestly is really difficult to put into words, and for us it’s making sure that we give back – on especially on the 4th of July and nights like that. [Fans] come in and they pay their hard-earned cash to come and watch us, and we have to make sure that we give them something to cheer about.And look, the result is always up in the air, but we’ve got to make sure that we leave no stone unturned to try and get that [result] and make sure we put on a performance and leave [the fans] here happy. Maybe it’s not with the result, but the performance is what we’re after for these [fans], so [we’re] excited for that.”
Opposition Outlook: “[Tulsa have a new] coaching staff and [their team is made up of a] majority of new players, and they’ve played a lot less games than everyone else,” continued Head Coach Hogan. “They’re still, I think, coming into their own, but they are unbeaten in three games – to beat San Antonio [then] beat Miami and then drawing with Sac[ramento]. Those are three good teams, so we’re under no allusions to what’s coming into our building, and they’ll be trying to close the gap to us. The main thing is that we make sure that we look after ourselves in this building. “[Phillip] Goodrum [is a player we must watch]. [Stefan] Stojanovic as well who came in from [Philadelphia] Union II [and has] scored some goals and had some chances. They’ve got [Diogo] Pacheco and then the midfielder [Edwin] Laszo – they’ve got good players all over the park. Bradley Bourgeois and [Alexis] Souahy are two experienced center-backs, and then they just brought in a new goalkeeper recently [Johan Peñaranda] who kept a clean sheet, so they’re buoyed full of confidence [after they] had a good result [against Sacramento Republic]. So I think they’ll be coming in here and eager to make sure that they close that gap [to us] like I said.”
Vargish’s View: FC Tulsa will take a page from Monterey Bay’s book and try to stifle and frustrate the Switchbacks, which is not an altogether unheard-of game-plan for Head Coach Mario Sanchez. Tulsa showed true grit two weeks ago in their 0-0 draw with Sacramento. The team formerly known as the Roughnecks were organized, feisty, stingy, and disciplined as they ground out a point against perennial top-of-the-table Sacramento. The Switchbacks deserved their three points against Monterey Bay, and an equally energetic display will be needed for Tulsa’s visit. If the Switchbacks can dictate the tempo and tone of Thursday’s contest and take an early chance they will inevitably create, Tulsa will be forced to respond. The longer the game stays scoreless, the greater Tulsa’s chances for leaving Southern Colorado with a result.
