Colorado Springs, CO (August 24th, 2024) – The Colorado Springs Switchbacks battled New Mexico United at home but unfortunately lost, ending with a final score of 0-1.
The game had an early start with New Mexico United scoring in the 8′. #1 Christian Herrera went forward to go for the ball, but New Mexico player #11 Mukwelle Akale got to it first, crossing it over and getting it right past the goal line.
With a group of four substitutions coming from the Switchbacks bench early into the second half, the strategy shifted, bringing in more midfielders like #18 Aidan Rocha, #17 Jairo Henriquez, and #20 Yosuke Hanya.
In the 71′, Henriquez had a quick touch on the ball midfield, and New Mexico player #19 Zico Bailey went right in front of him, colliding hard, giving Bailey his second yellow card of the night, which turned into a red card.
With New Mexico down a man, the Switchbacks were gunning to even the score. Eight shots were taken just in the second half and the good guys held 60.9% possession of the ball. As the minutes were ticking down, the Switchbacks were unable to equalize the score, resulting in a final of 0-1.
Switchbacks are back at Weidner Field on Wednesday for Witches and Wizards night as they take on Memphis 901 FC! For tickets to that match, and all others, head HERE.
Post Game Quotes:
James Chambers:
Overall thoughts:
“Obviously we’re disappointed. I think in the first half we didn’t play as well as we would’ve liked, we weren’t as aggressive as we should’ve been and we gave up a sloppy goal, and that happens. And the response was there, but we just didn’t do enough, we didn’t do enough to get that goal. There were a couple of half chances here and there but ultimately it wasn’t the result we came for. Can’t fault the players’ efforts and their application, it just wasn’t to be tonight.”
On the quick turnaround:
“We’ve bounced back before. It’s not the result we wanted again, it was what it was, performance-wise, and the reality is we just need to regroup, get ourselves ready tomorrow, and go again for Memphis on Wednesday.”
Jonas Fjeldberg:
On moving on and bouncing back in time for Memphis on Wednesday:
“Tonight we learned that we can’t afford to miss our chances, like the way we did. We can’t dwell on this too much, it’s going to hurt today, and maybe tomorrow, but in soccer, you have to forget about your last moment, you have to move on, it’s a sport that you’re only as good as your last game, so I think this will motivate the guys to go 100% again on Wednesday. You know you can’t fault us for effort, but honestly, it doesn’t matter, I just want to win. I can’t wait for Wednesday to come so we can turn this around again.”
Match Statistics:
Saves: COS: Christian Herrera: (3) NM: Alexander Tambakis (3)
Goal: NM: Akale (8′),
Disciplines: COS: YC: Henriquez (69′), Mahoney (77′), Hanya (90+2′) NM:YC: Micaletto (10′), Bailey (52′), Bailey (71′), Hurst (90+8′) RC: Bailey (71′)
