Switchbacks News

Photo courtesy Isaiah J. Downing

The past seven days have definitely seen things continue to move in the right direction for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, with the announcement of the club’s first international exhibition against top Bundesliga side Mainz 05 capping off a week that saw the side move into the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and to the top of the USL’s Western Conference standings.

For Coach Steve Trittschuh, the progress the Switchbacks have continued to make on and off the field has been exciting to be part of, as the club continues to create even greater visibility for itself, and the city of Colorado Springs.

“Everything’s been going well,” Trittschuh said in a brief visit to the USL offices last week. “We’ve been working on this international game for a while, and to bring Mainz over is going to be big, because a lot of people know them. The Bundesliga was on TV this year, and they finished sixth in the league standings, so it’s going to be a good game.”

While the club has continued to perform well on the field this season, the Switchbacks are also making even greater inroads into the local community. The club announced a new partnership with Coldwell Banker last week, the most recent in a string of local sponsorship deals. In addition, the club has seen growth in its attendance from a season ago, with its USL Game of the Week clash against the Portland Timbers 2 attracting a club-record attendance to Switchbacks Stadium.

“The community has taken to us really well,” Trittschuh said. “The new mayor [John Suthers] is really high on us, and the business community is coming around. We’ve just got to keep filling that stadium game after game, and that will help us on the field.”

With the manner in which Trittschuh’s side plays at Switchbacks Stadium, the fans can enter most contests confident of a positive result. Since the start of the club’s inaugural season, the Switchbacks are 14-3-3 in the USL regular season and playoffs, among the best home records in the league.

Starting on Saturday, though, the side will hit the road for three key games in both the league and the Open Cup, with visits to the LA Galaxy II, Colorado Rapids and San Antonio FC on the slate. After falling to the Rapids a season ago at the same stage, Trittschuh wants his side to put in a good showing against the MLS side he played almost 100 games for, but is also mindful of the need to continue to get good league results as well.

“We’ve got to look at it and see what is important, but we want to have a good showing,” Trittschuh said. “The guys, they’re playing with confidence right now, and hopefully we can go in there and show well again.”

Photo courtesy Isaiah J. Downing

The past seven days have definitely seen things continue to move in the right direction for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, with the announcement of the club’s first international exhibition against top Bundesliga side Mainz 05 capping off a week that saw the side move into the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and to the top of the USL’s Western Conference standings.

For Coach Steve Trittschuh, the progress the Switchbacks have continued to make on and off the field has been exciting to be part of, as the club continues to create even greater visibility for itself, and the city of Colorado Springs.

“Everything’s been going well,” Trittschuh said in a brief visit to the USL offices last week. “We’ve been working on this international game for a while, and to bring Mainz over is going to be big, because a lot of people know them. The Bundesliga was on TV this year, and they finished sixth in the league standings, so it’s going to be a good game.”

While the club has continued to perform well on the field this season, the Switchbacks are also making even greater inroads into the local community. The club announced a new partnership with Coldwell Banker last week, the most recent in a string of local sponsorship deals. In addition, the club has seen growth in its attendance from a season ago, with its USL Game of the Week clash against the Portland Timbers 2 attracting a club-record attendance to Switchbacks Stadium.

“The community has taken to us really well,” Trittschuh said. “The new mayor [John Suthers] is really high on us, and the business community is coming around. We’ve just got to keep filling that stadium game after game, and that will help us on the field.”

With the manner in which Trittschuh’s side plays at Switchbacks Stadium, the fans can enter most contests confident of a positive result. Since the start of the club’s inaugural season, the Switchbacks are 14-3-3 in the USL regular season and playoffs, among the best home records in the league.

Starting on Saturday, though, the side will hit the road for three key games in both the league and the Open Cup, with visits to the LA Galaxy II, Colorado Rapids and San Antonio FC on the slate. After falling to the Rapids a season ago at the same stage, Trittschuh wants his side to put in a good showing against the MLS side he played almost 100 games for, but is also mindful of the need to continue to get good league results as well.

“We’ve got to look at it and see what is important, but we want to have a good showing,” Trittschuh said. “The guys, they’re playing with confidence right now, and hopefully we can go in there and show well again.”

Photo courtesy Isaiah J. Downing

With the way the side is playing right now, it seems certain that come the end of the season they’ll be among the leading contenders to take home the championship. With the added depth that was on display in last week’s Open Cup victory in Arizona, though, Trittschuh thinks the side is well positioned to find success when the 2016 USL Playoffs come around.

“I feel we have a chance,” Trittschuh said. “Everything’s new when the playoffs come around. It’s a new season then, so now our main objective is to be one of those top four spots to get home-field advantage in that first round, and then go from there.

“I think these guys have a good mindset this year, and they’re focused on what they have to do. It’d be great to bring a championship there, because I think things are growing for us. We’ve just got to keep doing what we’ve been doing.”

Photo courtesy Isaiah J. Downing

With the way the side is playing right now, it seems certain that come the end of the season they’ll be among the leading contenders to take home the championship. With the added depth that was on display in last week’s Open Cup victory in Arizona, though, Trittschuh thinks the side is well positioned to find success when the 2016 USL Playoffs come around.

“I feel we have a chance,” Trittschuh said. “Everything’s new when the playoffs come around. It’s a new season then, so now our main objective is to be one of those top four spots to get home-field advantage in that first round, and then go from there.

“I think these guys have a good mindset this year, and they’re focused on what they have to do. It’d be great to bring a championship there, because I think things are growing for us. We’ve just got to keep doing what we’ve been doing.”

Photo courtesy Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC will look to continue its three-game winning streak on Friday night as it hosts an Orange County Blues FC side that is winless in its last three outings. Kickoff at Switchbacks Stadium is set for 7 p.m. MT.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC news and notes

• Current record: 6-2-0, 18 points
• The Switchbacks took their third win in a row last Saturday night as they defeated Arizona United SC 3-1 to move into second place in the Western Conference.
• Josh Suggs and Miguel Gonzalez both scored in the first half, while Saeed Robinson added an insurance goal in the second to wrap up victory on the road.
• Robinson will be unavailable for Friday’s game as he serves the first game of a three-game suspension after being sent off late against Arizona.
• The Switchbacks are a perfect 3-0-0 at home this season, and have yet to concede a goal at Switchbacks Stadium.

Orange County Blues FC news and notes

• Current record: 3-4-2, 11 points
• The Blues are looking to bounce back after falling 3-1 against Real Monarchs SLC last Saturday night on the road in Salt Lake City.
• Orange County ended April on a three-game winning streak, but has yet to win a league game in the month of May, which has seen it slide out of the top eight in the West.
• Blues midfielder Pavle Popara is suspended for Friday night’s game after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season against the Monarchs.
• The Blues have been outscored 9-3 by opponents in the second halves of games this season.

2016 Team leaders

• Goals: Colorado Springs – Martin Maybin, 4; Orange County – Didier Crettenand, 2
• Assists: Colorado Springs – Mike Seth, 3; Orange County – Roy Meeus, 3

Series notes

• Colorado Springs took a 3-0 win against the Blues at Anteater Stadium on May 8. The two teams split their regular-season meetings a season ago.

Officials

• REF: Neil Barbulescu
• AR1: Jacob Herald
• AR2: Eddie Tuggle
• 4TH: Benjamin Oakley

Game hashtag:

• #COSvOC

Twitter social handles

• Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – @SwitchbacksFC
• Orange County Blues FC – @OCBluesFC

Photo courtesy Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC will look to continue its three-game winning streak on Friday night as it hosts an Orange County Blues FC side that is winless in its last three outings. Kickoff at Switchbacks Stadium is set for 7 p.m. MT.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC news and notes

• Current record: 6-2-0, 18 points
• The Switchbacks took their third win in a row last Saturday night as they defeated Arizona United SC 3-1 to move into second place in the Western Conference.
• Josh Suggs and Miguel Gonzalez both scored in the first half, while Saeed Robinson added an insurance goal in the second to wrap up victory on the road.
• Robinson will be unavailable for Friday’s game as he serves the first game of a three-game suspension after being sent off late against Arizona.
• The Switchbacks are a perfect 3-0-0 at home this season, and have yet to concede a goal at Switchbacks Stadium.

Orange County Blues FC news and notes

• Current record: 3-4-2, 11 points
• The Blues are looking to bounce back after falling 3-1 against Real Monarchs SLC last Saturday night on the road in Salt Lake City.
• Orange County ended April on a three-game winning streak, but has yet to win a league game in the month of May, which has seen it slide out of the top eight in the West.
• Blues midfielder Pavle Popara is suspended for Friday night’s game after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season against the Monarchs.
• The Blues have been outscored 9-3 by opponents in the second halves of games this season.

2016 Team leaders

• Goals: Colorado Springs – Martin Maybin, 4; Orange County – Didier Crettenand, 2
• Assists: Colorado Springs – Mike Seth, 3; Orange County – Roy Meeus, 3

Series notes

• Colorado Springs took a 3-0 win against the Blues at Anteater Stadium on May 8. The two teams split their regular-season meetings a season ago.

Officials

• REF: Neil Barbulescu
• AR1: Jacob Herald
• AR2: Eddie Tuggle
• 4TH: Benjamin Oakley

Game hashtag:

• #COSvOC

Twitter social handles

• Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – @SwitchbacksFC
• Orange County Blues FC – @OCBluesFC

By: Joel Huber & Chris Ragain

This Friday, May 27th, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC will be hosting the Orange County Blues FC in their second matchup of the 2016 USL season. The first meeting of these two teams concluded in a 3-0 Switchbacks victory at Anteater Stadium in Irving, California. Currently, in the Western Conference standings, the Switchbacks are in second place while the OC Blues trail in ninth place.

The first matchup of the season saw the Switchbacks overpower the 2015 Western Conference Champions from Orange County. Saeed Robinson made the best of a crucial error, by the 2015 USL Goalkeeper of the year Brandon Miller, to get his second goal of the season. Luke Vercollone and Marty Maybin also found the net to take the 3-0 road win back to Colorado Springs.

“I’m feeling pretty confident with how the team’s been playing.” Said Captain Luke Vercollone. “I’m expecting to get a great result. I think we can really take it to them, and get a good scoreline, two, three-nothing, hopefully another shutout and if we play our game, the sky’s the limit.”

Last week, the Switchbacks FC saw their sixth victory in Peoria, Arizona against Arizona United. This 3-1 win made quite a statement as Switchbacks midfielder Josh Suggs earned a spot on the USL Team of the week, and forward Miguel Gonzalez scored a spot for a USL goal of the week. The Switchbacks will be returning to Peoria next week to face Arizona United again in the third round of the US Open Cup.

The Switchbacks will be looking forward to returning home on Friday as the backline has been a force to reckon with and a nightmare for teams to overcome at the high altitude. So far, in four matches in all competitions (3 USL, 1 US Open Cup) the Switchbacks have held teams scoreless for a perfect 360 minutes.

“We’re looking forward to playing OC at home.” Said defender Josh Phillips. “We’ve already played them once this year, so we have a little bit of an idea of what to expect; we know what we need to do to win. One of our focuses this year has been not allowing goals at home, so far we haven’t given up any at Switchbacks Stadium, and we don’t plan on letting that happen anytime soon.”

The OC Blues will be coming off a hard loss on the road against the Real Monarch FC last week. This 3-1 defeat was a surprising end to the match after the Blues started off strong with the first goal. It is clear that after such a game, and the last meeting with the Switchbacks, the Blues will be hungry for a victory.

Friday’s match will be the second in a three game series between the sides, with the finale coming on September 24th to cap off regular season play for both teams. With a Switchbacks win, they would be tied with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 who are currently in first place in the Western Conference.

By: Joel Huber & Chris Ragain

This Friday, May 27th, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC will be hosting the Orange County Blues FC in their second matchup of the 2016 USL season. The first meeting of these two teams concluded in a 3-0 Switchbacks victory at Anteater Stadium in Irving, California. Currently, in the Western Conference standings, the Switchbacks are in second place while the OC Blues trail in ninth place.

The first matchup of the season saw the Switchbacks overpower the 2015 Western Conference Champions from Orange County. Saeed Robinson made the best of a crucial error, by the 2015 USL Goalkeeper of the year Brandon Miller, to get his second goal of the season. Luke Vercollone and Marty Maybin also found the net to take the 3-0 road win back to Colorado Springs.

“I’m feeling pretty confident with how the team’s been playing.” Said Captain Luke Vercollone. “I’m expecting to get a great result. I think we can really take it to them, and get a good scoreline, two, three-nothing, hopefully another shutout and if we play our game, the sky’s the limit.”

Last week, the Switchbacks FC saw their sixth victory in Peoria, Arizona against Arizona United. This 3-1 win made quite a statement as Switchbacks midfielder Josh Suggs earned a spot on the USL Team of the week, and forward Miguel Gonzalez scored a spot for a USL goal of the week. The Switchbacks will be returning to Peoria next week to face Arizona United again in the third round of the US Open Cup.

The Switchbacks will be looking forward to returning home on Friday as the backline has been a force to reckon with and a nightmare for teams to overcome at the high altitude. So far, in four matches in all competitions (3 USL, 1 US Open Cup) the Switchbacks have held teams scoreless for a perfect 360 minutes.

“We’re looking forward to playing OC at home.” Said defender Josh Phillips. “We’ve already played them once this year, so we have a little bit of an idea of what to expect; we know what we need to do to win. One of our focuses this year has been not allowing goals at home, so far we haven’t given up any at Switchbacks Stadium, and we don’t plan on letting that happen anytime soon.”

The OC Blues will be coming off a hard loss on the road against the Real Monarch FC last week. This 3-1 defeat was a surprising end to the match after the Blues started off strong with the first goal. It is clear that after such a game, and the last meeting with the Switchbacks, the Blues will be hungry for a victory.

Friday’s match will be the second in a three game series between the sides, with the finale coming on September 24th to cap off regular season play for both teams. With a Switchbacks win, they would be tied with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 who are currently in first place in the Western Conference.

Press Release:

Denver/Colorado Springs, Colorado (May 24, 2016) The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and the Colorado Soccer Association announce a partnership to work together to promote the sport of soccer in Colorado. The partnership allows CSA and the Colorado Springs-based professional soccer club, to offer resources to enhance the game and create opportunities for CSA and its clubs.

The partnership allows for the Switchbacks FC and CSA to offer several opportunities for CSA members and families to enjoy USL matches throughout the season, as well as opportunities for players and coaches to have access to professional soccer in Colorado.

Night of Chamipons	June 4, 2016	Switchbacks FC vs St. Louis FC
CSA Switchbacks FC Night -Fireworks Night	July 16, 2016	Switchbacks FC vs Sacramento Republic FC
CSA Switchbacks FC Night	August 21, 2016	Switchbacks FC vs Rio Grande Valley FC
CSA Switchbacks FC Night	September 17, 2016	Switchbacks FC vs Seattle Sounders FC 2

“We are very proud to partner with the Switchbacks FC,” says Nate Shotts, CEO, Colorado Soccer Association. “This is one step in building a strong tie between professional, youth and adult soccer in Colorado.”

“Part of our mission statement is to engage our community, and this partnership with Colorado Soccer Association will allow us to engage the soccer community in a substantial and meaningful way,” says Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC owner Ed Ragain. “We are happy to play a role in continuing to build a strong tie between the professional, youth and adult soccer communities in Colorado.”

About the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC is an American professional soccer club based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and competesing in the United Soccer League. Switchbacks FC plays its home matches at Switchbacks Stadium. Upon joining the league in 2015, the Club finished second in the Western Conference and witnessed 40,000 attendees in its inaugural year.

About the Colorado Soccer Association

The Colorado Soccer Association (CSA) is a non-profit educational and service organization that oversees Colorado soccer. Providing benefits for players and members, CSA hopes to advance the game with critical infrastructure while promoting sportsmanship and fair play in a safe and enjoyable environment.

 

 

Contact: Chris Ragain, Manager of Public Relations, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at: Christopher@https://www.switchbacksfc.com

Contact: Michelle Tripp, Director of Marketing and Community Relations, Colorado Soccer Association at: mtripp@coloradosoccer.org.

Press Release:

Denver/Colorado Springs, Colorado (May 24, 2016) The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and the Colorado Soccer Association announce a partnership to work together to promote the sport of soccer in Colorado. The partnership allows CSA and the Colorado Springs-based professional soccer club, to offer resources to enhance the game and create opportunities for CSA and its clubs.

The partnership allows for the Switchbacks FC and CSA to offer several opportunities for CSA members and families to enjoy USL matches throughout the season, as well as opportunities for players and coaches to have access to professional soccer in Colorado.

Night of Chamipons	June 4, 2016	Switchbacks FC vs St. Louis FC
CSA Switchbacks FC Night -Fireworks Night	July 16, 2016	Switchbacks FC vs Sacramento Republic FC
CSA Switchbacks FC Night	August 21, 2016	Switchbacks FC vs Rio Grande Valley FC
CSA Switchbacks FC Night	September 17, 2016	Switchbacks FC vs Seattle Sounders FC 2

“We are very proud to partner with the Switchbacks FC,” says Nate Shotts, CEO, Colorado Soccer Association. “This is one step in building a strong tie between professional, youth and adult soccer in Colorado.”

“Part of our mission statement is to engage our community, and this partnership with Colorado Soccer Association will allow us to engage the soccer community in a substantial and meaningful way,” says Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC owner Ed Ragain. “We are happy to play a role in continuing to build a strong tie between the professional, youth and adult soccer communities in Colorado.”

About the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC is an American professional soccer club based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and competesing in the United Soccer League. Switchbacks FC plays its home matches at Switchbacks Stadium. Upon joining the league in 2015, the Club finished second in the Western Conference and witnessed 40,000 attendees in its inaugural year.

About the Colorado Soccer Association

The Colorado Soccer Association (CSA) is a non-profit educational and service organization that oversees Colorado soccer. Providing benefits for players and members, CSA hopes to advance the game with critical infrastructure while promoting sportsmanship and fair play in a safe and enjoyable environment.

 

 

Contact: Chris Ragain, Manager of Public Relations, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at: Christopher@https://www.switchbacksfc.com

Contact: Michelle Tripp, Director of Marketing and Community Relations, Colorado Soccer Association at: mtripp@coloradosoccer.org.

The USL smashed its single-week attendance record on Sunday night, with a total of 74,518 fans attending USL games over the past seven days as fans flocked to be part of the action in the fastest-growing soccer league in the world. The cumulative attendance was more than 9,000 fans greater than the previous number, set in Week 24 of the 2015 USL season.

Led by FC Cincinnati’s USL single-game record attendance of 23,375 on Saturday night, one of six sellout crowds across the week’s action, the USL’s fans provided a brilliant backdrop to some outstanding action on the field across the United States and Canada.

“I couldn’t be happier for each and every one of our 29 teams,” said Jake Edwards, President of the USL. “The effort put forth by everyone in the League is paying off with our teams averaging a better than 20% attendance increase from the same point last season. Our goal was to build a national professional soccer league with strong local ownership and a schedule based on regional rivalries. Soccer fans across the country have responded.”

With the exception of the Charleston Battery’s sellout crowd of 5,481 at MUSC Health Stadium, each of the remaining five sellouts came at clubs which have joined the league in the past three seasons. That fact serves as testament to the USL’s commitment to strong local ownership, outstanding stadium plans and local passion for the sport of soccer that have been the three pillars required by the USL when considering expansion markets.

Each of the league’s expansion clubs since the start of the 2014 season have brought a heightened level of professionalism and competitiveness to the league, with one of the most recent additions in FC Cincinnati a shining example. The club’s remarkable success at the box office has seen it eclipse even the highest expectations the club had when it was unveiled last year, with an average attendance of 17,462 fans through its first four home games at the newly-renovated Nippert Stadium. The club’s progress has delighted of all those associated with the team.

The USL smashed its single-week attendance record on Sunday night, with a total of 74,518 fans attending USL games over the past seven days as fans flocked to be part of the action in the fastest-growing soccer league in the world. The cumulative attendance was more than 9,000 fans greater than the previous number, set in Week 24 of the 2015 USL season.

Led by FC Cincinnati’s USL single-game record attendance of 23,375 on Saturday night, one of six sellout crowds across the week’s action, the USL’s fans provided a brilliant backdrop to some outstanding action on the field across the United States and Canada.

“I couldn’t be happier for each and every one of our 29 teams,” said Jake Edwards, President of the USL. “The effort put forth by everyone in the League is paying off with our teams averaging a better than 20% attendance increase from the same point last season. Our goal was to build a national professional soccer league with strong local ownership and a schedule based on regional rivalries. Soccer fans across the country have responded.”

With the exception of the Charleston Battery’s sellout crowd of 5,481 at MUSC Health Stadium, each of the remaining five sellouts came at clubs which have joined the league in the past three seasons. That fact serves as testament to the USL’s commitment to strong local ownership, outstanding stadium plans and local passion for the sport of soccer that have been the three pillars required by the USL when considering expansion markets.

Each of the league’s expansion clubs since the start of the 2014 season have brought a heightened level of professionalism and competitiveness to the league, with one of the most recent additions in FC Cincinnati a shining example. The club’s remarkable success at the box office has seen it eclipse even the highest expectations the club had when it was unveiled last year, with an average attendance of 17,462 fans through its first four home games at the newly-renovated Nippert Stadium. The club’s progress has delighted of all those associated with the team.

Photo courtesy FC Cincinnati

“We want to thank all of our fans and the Greater Cincinnati community overall for embracing FC Cincinnati in such an extraordinary manner,” said Owner Carl Lindner III, the former owner of the Cincinnati Reds, on Saturday. “As a new professional team, we have been overwhelmed with your support which has only confirmed what we long believed, that Cincinnati is one of the top soccer cities in the nation, where civic pride as a major-league community has brought people together in support of our team.”

The standard-bearer in the USL’s new era of strong local ownership since being awarded a franchise in 2012, Sacramento Republic FC continued its remarkable 34-game USL sellout streak on Saturday night as 11,569 fans packed into Bonney Field for a 2-0 win against Seattle Sounders FC 2. The addition four years ago of Sacramento and OKC Energy FC could easily be looked at as a major off-the-field turning point in the USL’s young history, with Sacramento players and staff thrilled for the energy and passion their fans bring every matchday.

“It’s amazing,” said goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek after Saturday’s game. “It’s so cool. The city supports us, and is behind us 130,000 percent. Words can’t explain what it means to play in front of these people.”

Photo courtesy FC Cincinnati

“We want to thank all of our fans and the Greater Cincinnati community overall for embracing FC Cincinnati in such an extraordinary manner,” said Owner Carl Lindner III, the former owner of the Cincinnati Reds, on Saturday. “As a new professional team, we have been overwhelmed with your support which has only confirmed what we long believed, that Cincinnati is one of the top soccer cities in the nation, where civic pride as a major-league community has brought people together in support of our team.”

The standard-bearer in the USL’s new era of strong local ownership since being awarded a franchise in 2012, Sacramento Republic FC continued its remarkable 34-game USL sellout streak on Saturday night as 11,569 fans packed into Bonney Field for a 2-0 win against Seattle Sounders FC 2. The addition four years ago of Sacramento and OKC Energy FC could easily be looked at as a major off-the-field turning point in the USL’s young history, with Sacramento players and staff thrilled for the energy and passion their fans bring every matchday.

“It’s amazing,” said goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek after Saturday’s game. “It’s so cool. The city supports us, and is behind us 130,000 percent. Words can’t explain what it means to play in front of these people.”

Photo courtesy Sacramento Republic FC

2015 expansion side Louisville City FC also continued to bring big crowds to Slugger Field, with a season-high attendance of 7,859 on hand for the first meeting between the hosts and Saint Louis FC for the King’s Cup on Saturday night. Colorado Springs Switchback FC, meanwhile, set a new all-time high for attendance at Switchbacks Stadium on Friday night as it took a 1-0 victory against the Portland Timbers 2 in the USL Game of the Week on ESPN3.

“Last night was the best crowd and energy we’ve seen yet here in Colorado Springs,” said Switchbacks President Nick Ragain on Saturday. “We are nearing a critical mass of support that I believe will begin showing Colorado Springs that we are a soccer town to be reckoned with.”

The biggest headline of the weekend went to Cincinnati, though, as it drew plaudits from soccer pundits across the United States in leading a remarkable week for the USL. As the league continues to push higher both in quality of play on the field, quality of ownership groups joining the league, and levels of fan support in the stands, the USL appears set on the right path to a bright future.

“It’s great for the country and for football,” said Jakubek. “The players are better, the teams are better, it’s quality football out there, you know? I’m not surprised, I expect it to keep growing. It’s awesome that Cincinnati is doing that, I hope they keep doing it, and I hope other teams catch a wave and do it too, because this sport’s amazing.”

Photo courtesy Sacramento Republic FC

2015 expansion side Louisville City FC also continued to bring big crowds to Slugger Field, with a season-high attendance of 7,859 on hand for the first meeting between the hosts and Saint Louis FC for the King’s Cup on Saturday night. Colorado Springs Switchback FC, meanwhile, set a new all-time high for attendance at Switchbacks Stadium on Friday night as it took a 1-0 victory against the Portland Timbers 2 in the USL Game of the Week on ESPN3.

“Last night was the best crowd and energy we’ve seen yet here in Colorado Springs,” said Switchbacks President Nick Ragain on Saturday. “We are nearing a critical mass of support that I believe will begin showing Colorado Springs that we are a soccer town to be reckoned with.”

The biggest headline of the weekend went to Cincinnati, though, as it drew plaudits from soccer pundits across the United States in leading a remarkable week for the USL. As the league continues to push higher both in quality of play on the field, quality of ownership groups joining the league, and levels of fan support in the stands, the USL appears set on the right path to a bright future.

“It’s great for the country and for football,” said Jakubek. “The players are better, the teams are better, it’s quality football out there, you know? I’m not surprised, I expect it to keep growing. It’s awesome that Cincinnati is doing that, I hope they keep doing it, and I hope other teams catch a wave and do it too, because this sport’s amazing.”