Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Ziggy and the Switchbacks staff had a booth setup outside the Loaf n’ Jug at Northgate working with Y96.9 on May 18th. They helped giveaway tickets to the Springs Country Fest at Weidner Field on May 31st.
Ziggy and the Switchbacks staff had a booth setup outside the Loaf n’ Jug at Northgate working with Y96.9 on May 18th. They helped giveaway tickets to the Springs Country Fest at Weidner Field on May 31st.
For the second time this season, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC will make their way east to the Sooner State, as they face off against the Oklahoma City Energy FC this Saturday at Taft Stadium.
Saturday’s match against the Switchbacks will be the second of three USL Championship matches in a row for the Energy FC in Oklahoma’s capitol city. On May 18th, the Energy were held to a 1-1 tie by the Real Monarchs of Salt Lake City after a 93rd minute equalizer from Monarchs striker Tate Schmitt. Trinidad and Tobago international Cordell Cato had given the Energy the lead with a delightful lob after a fabulous over-the-top pass from Owayne Omar Gordon.
Former Switchbacks central defender Christian Ibeagha has started four times for OKC Head Coach Steve Cooke in 2019, while beard aficionado Cody Laurendi is entrenched as the Energy’s number one goalkeeper. Jamaican international Deshorn Brown is one of the most dangerous attacking threats in the USL, as the former Colorado Rapids striker leads OKC in goals with six.
The Switchbacks have dropped their last two road matches in the USL Championship, and will be looking for a priceless away victory on Saturday evening. Last Saturday the Switchbacks fell 3-1 at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs to high-flying New Mexico United.
“I want to apologize to all of our fans and supporters,” said Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh on Wednesday morning. “If the club needs to make a change and make us better, I understand. We have a small squad and we’re not able to add players right now. We’re at capacity in terms of our squad and we’re getting as much out of the players as we can. The guys are preparing hard for every game, we’ve just had some mistakes and those have really cost us. We’ve got to stay positive and stay in it. Both of New Mexico’s first two goals were against the run of play, and we tried to respond but we need to do better. We were right in that game and after their second goal we fought and we have to take some positives from that.”
“I know OKC are tough to play against,” said midfielder Alex Molano. “I thought after we scored against New Mexico we had some of the better play – we played a lot better in that match and we need to take that to OKC.”
“We understand that OKC is a difficult place to play,” said Jordan Schweitzer. “It’s a smaller field and we need to be prepared for the things we can’t control. We’ll get ready this week in training for everything. It was good to score against New Mexico – it broke the seal and it’s always good to get goals and we have to take that forward into this weekend. It will be a different game in OKC and we’ll prepare a lot this week to give our best performance.”
The Energy FC have already won three times at Taft Stadium in the 2019 USL Championship season. OKC and the Switchbacks will have to wait until June 20th for the Switchbacks to welcome the Energy FC to Weidner Field on Margaritaville Night, presented by Weidner apartment homes, with the first 500 fans receiving a free 2019 Switchbacks jersey t-shirt.
“I expect a good, professional performance from OKC – they have a lot of ex-MLS players,” said Saeed Robinson. “And it will be good to see Christian Ibeagha again. We hadn’t scored in so long at home, so I felt like just getting a goal last weekend helped us. It’s one positive that we need to take with us.”
“We created a lot of chances against New Mexico and that’s something to build on for this week,” said Shane Malcolm before being asked about the danger posed by Deshorn Brown. “He’s pacey and very physical and he scores with both feet and he’s a player to watch.”
“OKC have a lot of goal scorers,” said Trittschuh. “[Cordell] Cato on one side, with {Owayne Omar] Gordon on the other makes them very dangerous. They need space to have success so we have to limit the space and keep nice and compact.”
Following Saturday’s match in Oklahoma City, Weidner Field will play host to an action-packed four days. Wednesday, May 29th will see the Switchbacks host New Mexico United in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup third round. Tickets for the Open Cup match against New Mexico United are available HERE for just $5, with free parking at Weidner Field.
On Friday May 31st, country music star Russell Dickerson will headline Springs Country Fest, with tickets available HERE. The following night the Switchbacks welcome Fresno FC to Weidner Field in USL Championship action, with Pikes Peak Brewing Company sponsoring a free cap giveaway for the first 500 fans.
For the second time this season, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC will make their way east to the Sooner State, as they face off against the Oklahoma City Energy FC this Saturday at Taft Stadium.
Saturday’s match against the Switchbacks will be the second of three USL Championship matches in a row for the Energy FC in Oklahoma’s capitol city. On May 18th, the Energy were held to a 1-1 tie by the Real Monarchs of Salt Lake City after a 93rd minute equalizer from Monarchs striker Tate Schmitt. Trinidad and Tobago international Cordell Cato had given the Energy the lead with a delightful lob after a fabulous over-the-top pass from Owayne Omar Gordon.
Former Switchbacks central defender Christian Ibeagha has started four times for OKC Head Coach Steve Cooke in 2019, while beard aficionado Cody Laurendi is entrenched as the Energy’s number one goalkeeper. Jamaican international Deshorn Brown is one of the most dangerous attacking threats in the USL, as the former Colorado Rapids striker leads OKC in goals with six.
The Switchbacks have dropped their last two road matches in the USL Championship, and will be looking for a priceless away victory on Saturday evening. Last Saturday the Switchbacks fell 3-1 at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs to high-flying New Mexico United.
“I want to apologize to all of our fans and supporters,” said Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh on Wednesday morning. “If the club needs to make a change and make us better, I understand. We have a small squad and we’re not able to add players right now. We’re at capacity in terms of our squad and we’re getting as much out of the players as we can. The guys are preparing hard for every game, we’ve just had some mistakes and those have really cost us. We’ve got to stay positive and stay in it. Both of New Mexico’s first two goals were against the run of play, and we tried to respond but we need to do better. We were right in that game and after their second goal we fought and we have to take some positives from that.”
“I know OKC are tough to play against,” said midfielder Alex Molano. “I thought after we scored against New Mexico we had some of the better play – we played a lot better in that match and we need to take that to OKC.”
“We understand that OKC is a difficult place to play,” said Jordan Schweitzer. “It’s a smaller field and we need to be prepared for the things we can’t control. We’ll get ready this week in training for everything. It was good to score against New Mexico – it broke the seal and it’s always good to get goals and we have to take that forward into this weekend. It will be a different game in OKC and we’ll prepare a lot this week to give our best performance.”
The Energy FC have already won three times at Taft Stadium in the 2019 USL Championship season. OKC and the Switchbacks will have to wait until June 20th for the Switchbacks to welcome the Energy FC to Weidner Field on Margaritaville Night, presented by Weidner apartment homes, with the first 500 fans receiving a free 2019 Switchbacks jersey t-shirt.
“I expect a good, professional performance from OKC – they have a lot of ex-MLS players,” said Saeed Robinson. “And it will be good to see Christian Ibeagha again. We hadn’t scored in so long at home, so I felt like just getting a goal last weekend helped us. It’s one positive that we need to take with us.”
“We created a lot of chances against New Mexico and that’s something to build on for this week,” said Shane Malcolm before being asked about the danger posed by Deshorn Brown. “He’s pacey and very physical and he scores with both feet and he’s a player to watch.”
“OKC have a lot of goal scorers,” said Trittschuh. “[Cordell] Cato on one side, with {Owayne Omar] Gordon on the other makes them very dangerous. They need space to have success so we have to limit the space and keep nice and compact.”
Following Saturday’s match in Oklahoma City, Weidner Field will play host to an action-packed four days. Wednesday, May 29th will see the Switchbacks host New Mexico United in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup third round. Tickets for the Open Cup match against New Mexico United are available HERE for just $5, with free parking at Weidner Field.
On Friday May 31st, country music star Russell Dickerson will headline Springs Country Fest, with tickets available HERE. The following night the Switchbacks welcome Fresno FC to Weidner Field in USL Championship action, with Pikes Peak Brewing Company sponsoring a free cap giveaway for the first 500 fans.
Ziggy and the Switchbacks went to Mountain Vista Community School on May 17th to support the school's end of the year celebration about preventing bullying. Special guest appearance from Kid Confidence and the theme was for everyone to dress as a superhero. The students received an interactive demonstration to help learn and understand tools for self-awareness and build self-confidence in themselves. Raquel Pennington, a UFC fighter from Colorado Springs, shared her personal story. Ziggy had a blast giving out tickets to one lucky student to our next home game!
Ziggy and the Switchbacks went to Mountain Vista Community School on May 17th to support the school’s end of the year celebration about preventing bullying. Special guest appearance from Kid Confidence and the theme was for everyone to dress as a superhero. The students received an interactive demonstration to help learn and understand tools for self-awareness and build self-confidence in themselves. Raquel Pennington, a UFC fighter from Colorado Springs, shared her personal story. Ziggy had a blast giving out tickets to one lucky student to our next home game!
On May 15th, 60 students from Pikes Peak Elementary School visited Ziggy and Switchbacks staff at Weidner Field for a tour of the stadium and to learn the importance of anti-bullying. They participated in different activities throughout the day to learn how to make people feel included and how to build people up instead of putting them down. At the end of the day, they played soccer games and ran races with Alex Molano, Saeed Robinson, and Ziggy.
On May 15th, 60 students from Pikes Peak Elementary School visited Ziggy and Switchbacks staff at Weidner Field for a tour of the stadium and to learn the importance of anti-bullying. They participated in different activities throughout the day to learn how to make people feel included and how to build people up instead of putting them down. At the end of the day, they played soccer games and ran races with Alex Molano, Saeed Robinson, and Ziggy.
The Switchbacks FC take on New Mexico United in the third round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on May 29th! Kickoff is set for 7pm at Weidner Field.
Tickets are ON SALE NOW and are only $5! Parking is FREE!
The Switchbacks booked their spot in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup by defeating FC Denver 1-0 on May 15th. New Mexico United went to Phoenix in the second round and defeated the Rising FC in penalty kicks to set up the matchup with the Switchbacks at Weidner Field on May 29th.
The Switchbacks FC take on New Mexico United in the third round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on May 29th! Kickoff is set for 7pm at Weidner Field.
Tickets are ON SALE NOW and are only $5! Parking is FREE!
The Switchbacks booked their spot in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup by defeating FC Denver 1-0 on May 15th. New Mexico United went to Phoenix in the second round and defeated the Rising FC in penalty kicks to set up the matchup with the Switchbacks at Weidner Field on May 29th.
On June 8th, the Switchbacks FC take on the Tacoma Defiance on the second annual Star Wars Cancer Awareness Night, presented by Penrose-St. Francis Health Services. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive Switchbacks laser thundersticks!
You can bid on the R2-D2 warm-up jerseys worn by the players HERE!
Tickets are ON SALE NOW and start at just $12 and are available HERE! Full 16oz beers will be available for $1 when gates open at 5pm! For the price of a Switchbacks ticket and 2-5 beers, it is cheaper than buying 2-5 beers at a bar or restaurant.
On June 8th, the Switchbacks FC take on the Tacoma Defiance on the second annual Star Wars Cancer Awareness Night, presented by Penrose-St. Francis Health Services. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive Switchbacks laser thundersticks!
You can bid on the R2-D2 warm-up jerseys worn by the players HERE!
Tickets are ON SALE NOW and start at just $12 and are available HERE! Full 16oz beers will be available for $1 when gates open at 5pm! For the price of a Switchbacks ticket and 2-5 beers, it is cheaper than buying 2-5 beers at a bar or restaurant.
The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC fell to New Mexico United 3-1 behind Kevaughn Frater's hat trick on Saturday Night in front of 4,151 fans at Weidner Field.
Coming off of the 1-0 win in the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night, the Switchbacks were hoping to use the win to springboard results in league play as well. However, New Mexico got on the board first when a tackle sent the ball right to Kevaughn Frater inside the box who calmly finished by Switchbacks keeper, Andre Rawls. In the 35th minute, Josh Suggs saw his shot parried by Rawls, but the rebound fell right to Frater who scored his second of the match.
The Switchbacks would cut the deficit in half in the 63rd minute when Mike Seth turned in a cross from Alex Molano from close range. However, New Mexico restored the two-goal lead when Kevaughn Frater bagged his hat trick after rounding Rawls and finishing off the game 3-1 for the visitors.
"I thought we had a couple of opportunities and they had a couple of opportunities and they took advantage of theirs and we weren't able to recover," said Switchbacks forward, Mike Seth. "It's just how things are going right now."
The Switchbacks are back on the road to face the OKC Energy FC on May 25th. The Switchbacks return back to Weidner Field on Wednesday, May 29th for a rematch with New Mexico United in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup. The Switchbacks' next home league game is June 1st when Fresno FC comes to town on cap giveaway night to the first 1,000 fans in attendance, courtesy of Pikes Peak Brewing Company. Full 16oz beers will be available for $1 for the first 30 minutes after gates open at 5:00 PM. Tickets start at just $12 and are available HERE. For the price of a Switchbacks ticket and 2-5 beers, it is cheaper than buying 2-5 beers at a bar or restaurant.
The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC fell to New Mexico United 3-1 behind Kevaughn Frater’s hat trick on Saturday Night in front of 4,151 fans at Weidner Field.
Coming off of the 1-0 win in the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night, the Switchbacks were hoping to use the win to springboard results in league play as well. However, New Mexico got on the board first when a tackle sent the ball right to Kevaughn Frater inside the box who calmly finished by Switchbacks keeper, Andre Rawls. In the 35th minute, Josh Suggs saw his shot parried by Rawls, but the rebound fell right to Frater who scored his second of the match.
The Switchbacks would cut the deficit in half in the 63rd minute when Mike Seth turned in a cross from Alex Molano from close range. However, New Mexico restored the two-goal lead when Kevaughn Frater bagged his hat trick after rounding Rawls and finishing off the game 3-1 for the visitors.
“I thought we had a couple of opportunities and they had a couple of opportunities and they took advantage of theirs and we weren’t able to recover,” said Switchbacks forward, Mike Seth. “It’s just how things are going right now.”
The Switchbacks are back on the road to face the OKC Energy FC on May 25th. The Switchbacks return back to Weidner Field on Wednesday, May 29th for a rematch with New Mexico United in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup. The Switchbacks’ next home league game is June 1st when Fresno FC comes to town on cap giveaway night to the first 1,000 fans in attendance, courtesy of Pikes Peak Brewing Company. Full 16oz beers will be available for $1 for the first 30 minutes after gates open at 5:00 PM. Tickets start at just $12 and are available HERE. For the price of a Switchbacks ticket and 2-5 beers, it is cheaper than buying 2-5 beers at a bar or restaurant.
Steve Trittschuh – On his overall thoughts on the game: "The guys are giving their effort out there. Most of them, this was their third game in a week. And really, we have no depth. It's tough right now. You look at a team like New Mexico and they're a good, experienced team. They're trying to go after a championship and they've put together a good team. We're limited right now in what we can do but we have to keep pushing forward. We had a lot of chances to go on goal and we gave up three soft goals. We have to keep going forward. The guys that are here are what we have to deal with. Right now, there's no depth. I had one attacking player tonight on the bench as a sub, and he's a 19-year-old kid. It's tough, but it is what it is. There's nothing that I can do to change it but we just have to keep going forward."
On adjustments to play New Mexico again in 11 days in the U.S. Open Cup: "There's no adjustments. It's the 12 or 13 guys we have on the roster right now that will have to step up. For the Open Cup, we'll get some academy players from the [Colorado] Rapids; but like I said, that's relying on 16 and 17-year-old kids. We just have to keep pushing forward, that's all that we can do."
Mike Seth – On his overall thoughts on the game: "I thought we had a couple of opportunities and they had a couple of opportunities and they took advantage of theirs and we weren't able to recover. It's just how things are going right now."
On what he saw on his goal tonight: "It felt good. I think Alex [Molano] played a good ball back across the box and I was in the right spot and I was able to redirect it."
Alex Molano – On his overall thoughts on the game: "We had a lot of good opportunities to score, we just have to put away our chances. I myself missed one too. I thought we were on top of them and we had the chance to come back into the game after getting the crowd back into it. Unfortunately, we gave up another goal late and that was it."
On his assist tonight: "It was good to finally get some kind of stats. I just tried to hit it on target and luckily it went to Mike and he put it away."
Steve Trittschuh – On his overall thoughts on the game: “The guys are giving their effort out there. Most of them, this was their third game in a week. And really, we have no depth. It’s tough right now. You look at a team like New Mexico and they’re a good, experienced team. They’re trying to go after a championship and they’ve put together a good team. We’re limited right now in what we can do but we have to keep pushing forward. We had a lot of chances to go on goal and we gave up three soft goals. We have to keep going forward. The guys that are here are what we have to deal with. Right now, there’s no depth. I had one attacking player tonight on the bench as a sub, and he’s a 19-year-old kid. It’s tough, but it is what it is. There’s nothing that I can do to change it but we just have to keep going forward.”
On adjustments to play New Mexico again in 11 days in the U.S. Open Cup: “There’s no adjustments. It’s the 12 or 13 guys we have on the roster right now that will have to step up. For the Open Cup, we’ll get some academy players from the [Colorado] Rapids; but like I said, that’s relying on 16 and 17-year-old kids. We just have to keep pushing forward, that’s all that we can do.”
Mike Seth – On his overall thoughts on the game: “I thought we had a couple of opportunities and they had a couple of opportunities and they took advantage of theirs and we weren’t able to recover. It’s just how things are going right now.”
On what he saw on his goal tonight: “It felt good. I think Alex [Molano] played a good ball back across the box and I was in the right spot and I was able to redirect it.”
Alex Molano – On his overall thoughts on the game: “We had a lot of good opportunities to score, we just have to put away our chances. I myself missed one too. I thought we were on top of them and we had the chance to come back into the game after getting the crowd back into it. Unfortunately, we gave up another goal late and that was it.”
On his assist tonight: “It was good to finally get some kind of stats. I just tried to hit it on target and luckily it went to Mike and he put it away.”
The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC announced today that the club has acquired defender Abdul Rwatubyaye on loan from the Colorado Rapids (MLS) for the remainder of the 2019 USL Championship season.
Rwatubyaye, 22, was acquired in a trade from Sporting Kansas City on May 8, 2019.
The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC announced today that the club has acquired defender Abdul Rwatubyaye on loan from the Colorado Rapids (MLS) for the remainder of the 2019 USL Championship season.
Rwatubyaye, 22, was acquired in a trade from Sporting Kansas City on May 8, 2019.
It’s back to USL Championship action as the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC host league newcomers New Mexico United at Weidner Field on Saturday evening. The first 500 fans will receive a free vuvuzela, courtesy of General Dynamics. Saturday’s match between New Mexico United and the Switchbacks also counts towards the first ever Four Corners Cup.
The Switchbacks moved on in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night after defeating FC Denver 1-0 at Weidner Field behind a late first-half goal from Kwasi Donsu. “I feel good after the goal,” said a beaming Donsu. “We played a lot of matches and didn’t score. We talked a lot that we have to win games and I knew today I had to score. At the end of the day I scored my first goal for the Switchbacks! I’m very happy and thankful that I could score and that we won the game.”
“We got a good goal and we got a win; that’s what we needed,” said Jordan Schweitzer immediately following Wednesday’s win. “We’ve got to take the positives from this and move forward. Personally, I’m very happy for Donsu – really glad he got the goal and I’m really excited to move forward in the Open Cup.”
“It’s always a goal at the beginning of the season for us to go as far as we can in the Open Cup,” said Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh before saluting the young faces that impressed against FC Denver. “These first games are always tough because teams come in with a lot of energy. It wasn’t an easy game at all – Denver were direct and it was hard to break them down. It’s a good win and should give us confidence going into the weekend. I was very glad to get some of the kids in the game. Logan [Dorsey] and Brandon [Farmelo] did really well. And Alejandro Padilla came in after graduating today – he came straight over from graduating at Pine Creek High School and he helped us finish the game out.”
Wednesday night saw New Mexico United defeat Phoenix Rising FC 4-3 on penalty kicks to set up a third round showdown in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against the Switchbacks at Weidner Field on May 29th. Spanish striker Santi Moar will be suspended for this Saturday’s match at Weidner Field after New Mexico United’s joint leading scorer was sent off last weekend against El Paso Locomotive FC. Moar is tied atop New Mexico’s goal-charts with Jamaican Kevaughn Frater. Frater spent the 2017 USL campaign with the Switchbacks, before making his way to Albuquerque after spending a season with Phoenix Rising FC.
Josh Suggs, who captained the Switchbacks last season, will lead New Mexico United into Weidner Field, as the Las Cruces native has been handed the armband in The 505 by Head Coach Troy Lesesne. Suggs captained New Mexico United last weekend in the fast and furious 2-2 draw with El Paso Locomotive FC in far west Texas. New Mexico have lost just once in their inaugural USL Championship season, and have scored eight goals in their last three league matches. Suggs made an instant impact as a substitute for New Mexico United on Wednesday by assisting Devon Sandoval with his first touch of the match.
Another former member of the Switchbacks, midfielder Sam Hamilton, was named on the USL Championship Team of the Week bench after his performance and goal against the El Paso Locomotive FC on Mother’s Day. Hamilton latched onto a delicious cross from Manny Padilla to nod New Mexico United level in first half stoppage time at Southwest University Park.
“New Mexico are a good team – their position in the league shows that,” said Trittschuh as the Switchbacks coaching staff huddled to watch New Mexico United’s U.S. Open Cup extra-time win against Phoenix Rising. “I worry about the guys who are here and who wanted to be with this group; not on those who left. They chose to leave and our focus as we prepare will be on the entire New Mexico team. New Mexico play with a lot of movement up front and they’re dangerous. We’ve got to get to a point where we win our games on our home field and we’ll take what we did against Denver into the weekend.”
The Switchbacks will not head to the Land of Enchantment and Isotopes Park to face New Mexico United until September 14th. Following Saturday’s match the Switchbacks will make their way east to face the Oklahoma City Energy FC next Saturday at Taft Stadium. The Switchbacks will return to Weidner Field on June 1st as they host Fresno FC, with Pikes Peak Brewing Company sponsoring a free cap giveaway for the first 1,000 fans.
It’s back to USL Championship action as the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC host league newcomers New Mexico United at Weidner Field on Saturday evening. The first 500 fans will receive a free vuvuzela, courtesy of General Dynamics. Saturday’s match between New Mexico United and the Switchbacks also counts towards the first ever Four Corners Cup.
The Switchbacks moved on in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night after defeating FC Denver 1-0 at Weidner Field behind a late first-half goal from Kwasi Donsu. “I feel good after the goal,” said a beaming Donsu. “We played a lot of matches and didn’t score. We talked a lot that we have to win games and I knew today I had to score. At the end of the day I scored my first goal for the Switchbacks! I’m very happy and thankful that I could score and that we won the game.”
“We got a good goal and we got a win; that’s what we needed,” said Jordan Schweitzer immediately following Wednesday’s win. “We’ve got to take the positives from this and move forward. Personally, I’m very happy for Donsu – really glad he got the goal and I’m really excited to move forward in the Open Cup.”
“It’s always a goal at the beginning of the season for us to go as far as we can in the Open Cup,” said Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh before saluting the young faces that impressed against FC Denver. “These first games are always tough because teams come in with a lot of energy. It wasn’t an easy game at all – Denver were direct and it was hard to break them down. It’s a good win and should give us confidence going into the weekend. I was very glad to get some of the kids in the game. Logan [Dorsey] and Brandon [Farmelo] did really well. And Alejandro Padilla came in after graduating today – he came straight over from graduating at Pine Creek High School and he helped us finish the game out.”
Wednesday night saw New Mexico United defeat Phoenix Rising FC 4-3 on penalty kicks to set up a third round showdown in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against the Switchbacks at Weidner Field on May 29th. Spanish striker Santi Moar will be suspended for this Saturday’s match at Weidner Field after New Mexico United’s joint leading scorer was sent off last weekend against El Paso Locomotive FC. Moar is tied atop New Mexico’s goal-charts with Jamaican Kevaughn Frater. Frater spent the 2017 USL campaign with the Switchbacks, before making his way to Albuquerque after spending a season with Phoenix Rising FC.
Josh Suggs, who captained the Switchbacks last season, will lead New Mexico United into Weidner Field, as the Las Cruces native has been handed the armband in The 505 by Head Coach Troy Lesesne. Suggs captained New Mexico United last weekend in the fast and furious 2-2 draw with El Paso Locomotive FC in far west Texas. New Mexico have lost just once in their inaugural USL Championship season, and have scored eight goals in their last three league matches. Suggs made an instant impact as a substitute for New Mexico United on Wednesday by assisting Devon Sandoval with his first touch of the match.
Another former member of the Switchbacks, midfielder Sam Hamilton, was named on the USL Championship Team of the Week bench after his performance and goal against the El Paso Locomotive FC on Mother’s Day. Hamilton latched onto a delicious cross from Manny Padilla to nod New Mexico United level in first half stoppage time at Southwest University Park.
“New Mexico are a good team – their position in the league shows that,” said Trittschuh as the Switchbacks coaching staff huddled to watch New Mexico United’s U.S. Open Cup extra-time win against Phoenix Rising. “I worry about the guys who are here and who wanted to be with this group; not on those who left. They chose to leave and our focus as we prepare will be on the entire New Mexico team. New Mexico play with a lot of movement up front and they’re dangerous. We’ve got to get to a point where we win our games on our home field and we’ll take what we did against Denver into the weekend.”
The Switchbacks will not head to the Land of Enchantment and Isotopes Park to face New Mexico United until September 14th. Following Saturday’s match the Switchbacks will make their way east to face the Oklahoma City Energy FC next Saturday at Taft Stadium. The Switchbacks will return to Weidner Field on June 1st as they host Fresno FC, with Pikes Peak Brewing Company sponsoring a free cap giveaway for the first 1,000 fans.
