Fresh off a priceless win in Colorado Springs, the Switchbacks FC head south to the Valley of the Sun to face off against Phoenix Rising FC this Saturday evening. The Switchbacks will be looking to start their quest for the first Four Corners Cup crown on a winning note against a Phoenix Rising team coming off a 3-3 draw with fellow Cup hopefuls New Mexico United.
Debutant Cesar Romero secured all three points for the Switchbacks last weekend at Weidner Field against San Antonio FC with a sensational 86th minute strike. “I’m very happy and very thankful with God,” said Romero on Wednesday afternoon. “It was the debut I dreamed of. Everything that happened for me gives me great momentum going forward into Phoenix and I hope I can help us win.”
Romero earned a place on the USL Championship Team of the Week bench alongside teammate Andre Rawls after the dramatic win against San Antonio. Rawls made a number of key saves to keep the Switchbacks level before Romero’s winner, while midfielder Rony Argueta was a Man of the Match candidate until Romero’s strike stole the headlines.
“My reaction to Cesar’s goal said it all,” said Shane Malcolm. “We had our chances during the game, but towards the end we needed a lift and Cesar provided that. This week we’ll just continue to work on our game and find ways to score goals. We’re always going to be stingy defensively, we just need to find ways to put the ball in the back of the net, especially against Phoenix who are a good team.”
“We’ll see,” was Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh’s coy response when asked if Romero will get a start on the banks of the Salt River this weekend. “Cesar has been working really hard and we’ve still got to get him more familiar with the guys. He’s a talent and it’s going to be hard to hold him back after what he did on Saturday for us.”
Romero’s winner against San Antonio FC last Saturday finally broke through a defense that had been stacking all eleven players behind the ball when the Switchbacks had possession. “We controlled the game,” said Trittschuh. “They were trying to counter on us, but I could sense that we were getting closer. I put Jordy [Burt] into the middle because he’ll get in the box and score with his head when he can. I guess it was perfect timing to bring Cesar in – scoring goals is what he’s all about and in the end we deserved the win.”
Phoenix Rising have managed two 3-3 draws to open the 2019 USL Championship season, and were given last weekend off as the Switchbacks hosted San Antonio. Ghanaian box-to-box midfielder Solomon Asante bagged a brace of penalty kicks in Phoenix’s 3-3 draw against New Mexico United on March 16th at Casino Arizona Field. One of the most dangerous field generals in the USL Championship, Asante will have to be well-monitored by the Switchbacks on Saturday if they are to stop Head Coach Rick Schantz’s team from recording their third-straight three-goal output.
“We’ve just got to be aware of their best players,” said Trittschuh when asked about the threat of Asante. “We won’t man-mark anyone, we’ll defend as a team. They like to space teams out and we can’t give them space to play so we have to be compact. Phoenix are a good team – a really good team. They’ve just given up some goals already, but they’re really good. We have got to be smart and play well in all phases of our game, especially defensively.”
“We haven’t had a chance to take a look at both of Phoenix’s games yet, but we’ll do that in the next couple days,” said defender Kris Reaves. “Everyone is healthy, and we’ve got a good feeling as a group after Saturday. We just need to get everyone organized and keep working hard and keep preparing well for Phoenix.”
Phoenix Rising scored four goals in just over 20 minutes last season in Arizona as they ran away 4-0 winners over the Switchbacks after Jordan Burt was harshly sent off just after the hour mark. Almost a month later Phoenix handed the Switchbacks a 2-1 loss at Weidner Field on September 22nd.
“It’s a good environment in Phoenix to play – the field is always nice and there’s a good atmosphere there,” said Shane Malcolm. “It’s kind of a redemption for us from the last game against Phoenix last year. The warm weather will be great for our game and I’m ready to get out there and play a lot better than we did last year.”
Following Saturday’s trip to Arizona, the Switchbacks will return to Colorado Springs before heading west to play Orange County SC on April 6th. On April 13th, the Switchbacks square off against Reno 1868 FC at Weidner Field, with Capelli Sports sponsoring a drawstring bag giveaway for the first 500 fans. The second part of the Switchbacks’ 2019 poster giveaway series will also be handed out to the first 500 fans, courtesy of the Gazette newspaper.
Fresh off a priceless win in Colorado Springs, the Switchbacks FC head south to the Valley of the Sun to face off against Phoenix Rising FC this Saturday evening. The Switchbacks will be looking to start their quest for the first Four Corners Cup crown on a winning note against a Phoenix Rising team coming off a 3-3 draw with fellow Cup hopefuls New Mexico United.
Debutant Cesar Romero secured all three points for the Switchbacks last weekend at Weidner Field against San Antonio FC with a sensational 86th minute strike. “I’m very happy and very thankful with God,” said Romero on Wednesday afternoon. “It was the debut I dreamed of. Everything that happened for me gives me great momentum going forward into Phoenix and I hope I can help us win.”
Romero earned a place on the USL Championship Team of the Week bench alongside teammate Andre Rawls after the dramatic win against San Antonio. Rawls made a number of key saves to keep the Switchbacks level before Romero’s winner, while midfielder Rony Argueta was a Man of the Match candidate until Romero’s strike stole the headlines.
“My reaction to Cesar’s goal said it all,” said Shane Malcolm. “We had our chances during the game, but towards the end we needed a lift and Cesar provided that. This week we’ll just continue to work on our game and find ways to score goals. We’re always going to be stingy defensively, we just need to find ways to put the ball in the back of the net, especially against Phoenix who are a good team.”
“We’ll see,” was Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh’s coy response when asked if Romero will get a start on the banks of the Salt River this weekend. “Cesar has been working really hard and we’ve still got to get him more familiar with the guys. He’s a talent and it’s going to be hard to hold him back after what he did on Saturday for us.”
Romero’s winner against San Antonio FC last Saturday finally broke through a defense that had been stacking all eleven players behind the ball when the Switchbacks had possession. “We controlled the game,” said Trittschuh. “They were trying to counter on us, but I could sense that we were getting closer. I put Jordy [Burt] into the middle because he’ll get in the box and score with his head when he can. I guess it was perfect timing to bring Cesar in – scoring goals is what he’s all about and in the end we deserved the win.”
Phoenix Rising have managed two 3-3 draws to open the 2019 USL Championship season, and were given last weekend off as the Switchbacks hosted San Antonio. Ghanaian box-to-box midfielder Solomon Asante bagged a brace of penalty kicks in Phoenix’s 3-3 draw against New Mexico United on March 16th at Casino Arizona Field. One of the most dangerous field generals in the USL Championship, Asante will have to be well-monitored by the Switchbacks on Saturday if they are to stop Head Coach Rick Schantz’s team from recording their third-straight three-goal output.
“We’ve just got to be aware of their best players,” said Trittschuh when asked about the threat of Asante. “We won’t man-mark anyone, we’ll defend as a team. They like to space teams out and we can’t give them space to play so we have to be compact. Phoenix are a good team – a really good team. They’ve just given up some goals already, but they’re really good. We have got to be smart and play well in all phases of our game, especially defensively.”
“We haven’t had a chance to take a look at both of Phoenix’s games yet, but we’ll do that in the next couple days,” said defender Kris Reaves. “Everyone is healthy, and we’ve got a good feeling as a group after Saturday. We just need to get everyone organized and keep working hard and keep preparing well for Phoenix.”
Phoenix Rising scored four goals in just over 20 minutes last season in Arizona as they ran away 4-0 winners over the Switchbacks after Jordan Burt was harshly sent off just after the hour mark. Almost a month later Phoenix handed the Switchbacks a 2-1 loss at Weidner Field on September 22nd.
“It’s a good environment in Phoenix to play – the field is always nice and there’s a good atmosphere there,” said Shane Malcolm. “It’s kind of a redemption for us from the last game against Phoenix last year. The warm weather will be great for our game and I’m ready to get out there and play a lot better than we did last year.”
Following Saturday’s trip to Arizona, the Switchbacks will return to Colorado Springs before heading west to play Orange County SC on April 6th. On April 13th, the Switchbacks square off against Reno 1868 FC at Weidner Field, with Capelli Sports sponsoring a drawstring bag giveaway for the first 500 fans. The second part of the Switchbacks’ 2019 poster giveaway series will also be handed out to the first 500 fans, courtesy of the Gazette newspaper.
