Switchbacks News

The largest fireworks show in Southern Colorado is on-tap on Independence Day as the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC host Orange County SC at Weidner Field on Thursday evening.  The first 600 fans at Weidner Field will receive a Switchbacks blanket, courtesy of Oakwood Homes, with tickets for Thursday’s clash still available HERE.  

Thursday’s match against Orange County will be the first of three games in a row for the Switchbacks at Weidner Field.  On July 13th, the Switchbacks host the Tulsa Roughnecks FC on Movie Night, with the Better Business Bureau sponsoring the third part of the Switchbacks’ poster giveaway series.  A week later the Switchbacks welcome the Oklahoma City Energy FC to Weidner Field for Margaritaville, with a free jersey T Shirt giveaway pre-game courtesy of Weidner Apartment Homes. 

On Friday evening, Jon Eddy Productions will present Billy Ray Cyrus and Johnny McGuire at Weidner Field, complete with a post-concert fireworks show.  Kimberly Dunn and The Tyler Walker Band will open the show in Colorado Springs, with tickets still available HERE. 

Orange County SC arrive in Colorado Springs having lost their last three matches in the 2019 USL Championship.  Last Saturday, Head Coach Braeden Cloutier’s team fell 2-1 to the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy II at Championship Soccer Stadium at OC Great Park in Irvine, California. 

The largest fireworks show in Southern Colorado is on-tap on Independence Day as the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC host Orange County SC at Weidner Field on Thursday evening.  The first 600 fans at Weidner Field will receive a Switchbacks blanket, courtesy of Oakwood Homes, with tickets for Thursday’s clash still available HERE.  

Thursday’s match against Orange County will be the first of three games in a row for the Switchbacks at Weidner Field.  On July 13th, the Switchbacks host the Tulsa Roughnecks FC on Movie Night, with the Better Business Bureau sponsoring the third part of the Switchbacks’ poster giveaway series.  A week later the Switchbacks welcome the Oklahoma City Energy FC to Weidner Field for Margaritaville, with a free jersey T Shirt giveaway pre-game courtesy of Weidner Apartment Homes. 

On Friday evening, Jon Eddy Productions will present Billy Ray Cyrus and Johnny McGuire at Weidner Field, complete with a post-concert fireworks show.  Kimberly Dunn and The Tyler Walker Band will open the show in Colorado Springs, with tickets still available HERE. 

Orange County SC arrive in Colorado Springs having lost their last three matches in the 2019 USL Championship.  Last Saturday, Head Coach Braeden Cloutier’s team fell 2-1 to the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy II at Championship Soccer Stadium at OC Great Park in Irvine, California. 

“OC are on a little bit of a skid too,” said Switchbacks striker Mike Seth on Tuesday morning in Colorado Springs.  “Thursday will be a good opportunity to see where we are and to give a good performance.”

The Switchbacks fell 2-0 on April 6th to Orange County SC on the site of the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in Irvine, California.  Darwin Jones notched a brace against the Switchbacks on April 6th, and the former University of Washington Husky is now atop OC’s goal-scoring charts with six goals in the 2019 USL Championship.  Dutch midfielder Jerry van Ewijk is tied for OC’s lead in assists with Aodhan Quinn, while former Chicago Fire goalkeeper Patrick McLain is OC’s undisputed first-choice ‘keeper. 

Last weekend saw the Switchbacks lose in Texas’ capitol city 5-0 to the Austin Bold FC under a blanket of oppressive Lone Star State summer heat.  Former Jamaican international Wolde Harris will take charge of the Switchbacks as interim Head Coach on Thursday, after the Switchbacks parted ways with long-time Head Coach Steve Trittschuh on Monday morning.  

“It’s definitely good to get back on the field quickly,” said Harris.  “The guys have had a chance to think about what happened last weekend and learn from it and they’re looking forward to the opportunity to get back to it this week.  Orange County have good players. [Darwin] Jones, [Jerry] van Ewijk, Vinicius, [Michael] Seaton as well, and [Aodhan] Quinn who likes to run the show for them.”

“OC are on a little bit of a skid too,” said Switchbacks striker Mike Seth on Tuesday morning in Colorado Springs.  “Thursday will be a good opportunity to see where we are and to give a good performance.”

The Switchbacks fell 2-0 on April 6th to Orange County SC on the site of the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in Irvine, California.  Darwin Jones notched a brace against the Switchbacks on April 6th, and the former University of Washington Husky is now atop OC’s goal-scoring charts with six goals in the 2019 USL Championship.  Dutch midfielder Jerry van Ewijk is tied for OC’s lead in assists with Aodhan Quinn, while former Chicago Fire goalkeeper Patrick McLain is OC’s undisputed first-choice ‘keeper. 

Last weekend saw the Switchbacks lose in Texas’ capitol city 5-0 to the Austin Bold FC under a blanket of oppressive Lone Star State summer heat.  Former Jamaican international Wolde Harris will take charge of the Switchbacks as interim Head Coach on Thursday, after the Switchbacks parted ways with long-time Head Coach Steve Trittschuh on Monday morning.  

“It’s definitely good to get back on the field quickly,” said Harris.  “The guys have had a chance to think about what happened last weekend and learn from it and they’re looking forward to the opportunity to get back to it this week.  Orange County have good players. [Darwin] Jones, [Jerry] van Ewijk, Vinicius, [Michael] Seaton as well, and [Aodhan] Quinn who likes to run the show for them.”

“Thursday will have two teams who are looking for a win that they need,” said Shane Malcolm.  “At the end of the day, it will be about who has the most composure and the will to win and get a result and who is ready to give everything.”

At the time of writing, just five points separate the Switchbacks from the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros who currently occupy 13th place in the USL Championship’s Western Conference.  The playoff line is currently three points above the Toros.  Wins for the Switchbacks in their three-match home stand at Weidner Field that begins on Thursday night would see Wolde Harris’ team vault into the thick of the Western Conference playoff push.  

“Thursday will have two teams who are looking for a win that they need,” said Shane Malcolm.  “At the end of the day, it will be about who has the most composure and the will to win and get a result and who is ready to give everything.”

At the time of writing, just five points separate the Switchbacks from the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros who currently occupy 13th place in the USL Championship’s Western Conference.  The playoff line is currently three points above the Toros.  Wins for the Switchbacks in their three-match home stand at Weidner Field that begins on Thursday night would see Wolde Harris’ team vault into the thick of the Western Conference playoff push.  

“Based on our previous results, it’s important for us to build a good defensive foundation,” said interim Head Coach Harris when asked about what his team will focus on after taking charge of the Switchbacks mid-season.  “Having a good defensive base and making sure we’re in good defensive positions is where we have to start, and then we will learn to attack off that. As we get more comfortable we’ll look to expand the attack and get in behind teams more often.  We should have a good crowd at home this week and we’ll use that.”

The Switchbacks will have the weekend free from matches, before welcoming both teams from the Sooner State to Colorado Springs.  Tickets for the matches against the Tulsa Roughnecks FC on July 13th are available HERE, while fans can purchase seats for the visit of the Oklahoma City Energy FC HERE. 

“Based on our previous results, it’s important for us to build a good defensive foundation,” said interim Head Coach Harris when asked about what his team will focus on after taking charge of the Switchbacks mid-season.  “Having a good defensive base and making sure we’re in good defensive positions is where we have to start, and then we will learn to attack off that. As we get more comfortable we’ll look to expand the attack and get in behind teams more often.  We should have a good crowd at home this week and we’ll use that.”

The Switchbacks will have the weekend free from matches, before welcoming both teams from the Sooner State to Colorado Springs.  Tickets for the matches against the Tulsa Roughnecks FC on July 13th are available HERE, while fans can purchase seats for the visit of the Oklahoma City Energy FC HERE. 

A journey to Texas’ capitol city is on-deck for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC as they make their way to Bold Stadium to face the Austin Bold FC on Saturday evening for a USL Championship clash. 

Brazilian André Lima took sole possession of the top of the Bold’s scoring charts after his winner against the RGV FC Toros last Saturday.  Fellow Brazilian Kléber Giacomazzi and Austin, Texas local Kris Tyrpak have each scored four times for the Bold in 2019 USL Championship action.  Rio de Janeiro native André Lima is with his sixteenth club since 2004, having played professionally in Brazil, Belgium, Germany, and China. Kléber spent his formative footballing years in the São Paulo FC system before logging half a decade with Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine’s capitol.  Former Switchbacks defender Sean McFarlane has made 15 starts for the Bold in 2019.  

A journey to Texas’ capitol city is on-deck for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC as they make their way to Bold Stadium to face the Austin Bold FC on Saturday evening for a USL Championship clash. 

Brazilian André Lima took sole possession of the top of the Bold’s scoring charts after his winner against the RGV FC Toros last Saturday.  Fellow Brazilian Kléber Giacomazzi and Austin, Texas local Kris Tyrpak have each scored four times for the Bold in 2019 USL Championship action.  Rio de Janeiro native André Lima is with his sixteenth club since 2004, having played professionally in Brazil, Belgium, Germany, and China. Kléber spent his formative footballing years in the São Paulo FC system before logging half a decade with Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine’s capitol.  Former Switchbacks defender Sean McFarlane has made 15 starts for the Bold in 2019.  

“Kléber and Lima up top are really good players and Tyrpak is always a dangerous player in this league,” said Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh on Tuesday afternoon in Colorado Springs.  “We have to be aware of all of them. Sean McFarlane at right back gets forward a lot for them. We have got to be quick in transition and on counter attacks and make sure we’re not getting caught out.  We’ve got to deal with the heat too, but we know that. It’s just one of the things this time of year. When teams come here they have to deal with the altitude, and it’s been good that it’s gotten warmer here before we leave for Austin because that’s helped us prepare.  We dealt with it fine in RGV and it should be a little cooler in Austin.”

Jamaican defender Jermaine Taylor was named to the bench of the USL Championship Team of the Week after his performance against the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros in a narrow 1-0 defeat last weekend at H-E-B Park in Edinburg, Texas.  Meanwhile, Russian midfielder Valeriy Saramoutin will be suspended for the match on Saturday against the Switchbacks as the midfielder picked up his fifth yellow card of the 2019 USL Championship season last weekend.  

“Austin are an experienced team,” added Trittschuh.  “They have former MLS players and guys with a lot of international experience.  They know how to play together and control the tempo of the game. They attack a lot – especially at home – so we need to make sure we’re in good spots in transition and that we’re playing quickly.”

“Kléber and Lima up top are really good players and Tyrpak is always a dangerous player in this league,” said Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh on Tuesday afternoon in Colorado Springs.  “We have to be aware of all of them. Sean McFarlane at right back gets forward a lot for them. We have got to be quick in transition and on counter attacks and make sure we’re not getting caught out.  We’ve got to deal with the heat too, but we know that. It’s just one of the things this time of year. When teams come here they have to deal with the altitude, and it’s been good that it’s gotten warmer here before we leave for Austin because that’s helped us prepare.  We dealt with it fine in RGV and it should be a little cooler in Austin.”

Jamaican defender Jermaine Taylor was named to the bench of the USL Championship Team of the Week after his performance against the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros in a narrow 1-0 defeat last weekend at H-E-B Park in Edinburg, Texas.  Meanwhile, Russian midfielder Valeriy Saramoutin will be suspended for the match on Saturday against the Switchbacks as the midfielder picked up his fifth yellow card of the 2019 USL Championship season last weekend.  

“Austin are an experienced team,” added Trittschuh.  “They have former MLS players and guys with a lot of international experience.  They know how to play together and control the tempo of the game. They attack a lot – especially at home – so we need to make sure we’re in good spots in transition and that we’re playing quickly.”

“I expect a good, professional performance from Austin because they have a lot of mature players and they’ve done well this season,” said winger Saeed Robinson.  “I’m always excited to play in Texas because I went to junior college in west Texas and I’ll have some people coming to watch the game, but the focus is about getting a win and getting last weekend out of our minds.”

“Austin can be hot and cold, but they’re good at home,” said Shane Malcolm.  “I know Sean McFarlane and it will be good to see him – he’s a staple in that back line in Austin and he’s a good, strong defender.”

Former Air Force Academy Falcon Austin Dewing appeared in his first game for the Switchbacks at Weidner Field last Saturday as a second half substitute against the Real Monarchs SLC.  “It felt great – it’s what I’ve been working towards,” said Austin Dewing about his debut at Weidner Field. “Austin [Bold FC] will come out firing – they’ve seen that we’ve lost the last two games – and they’ll try to get on us early, so we have to be ready for that.”  Fellow new Switchbacks signing and Air Force Academy graduate Tucker Bone will be available for Saturday’s match in Texas.  

“I expect a good, professional performance from Austin because they have a lot of mature players and they’ve done well this season,” said winger Saeed Robinson.  “I’m always excited to play in Texas because I went to junior college in west Texas and I’ll have some people coming to watch the game, but the focus is about getting a win and getting last weekend out of our minds.”

“Austin can be hot and cold, but they’re good at home,” said Shane Malcolm.  “I know Sean McFarlane and it will be good to see him – he’s a staple in that back line in Austin and he’s a good, strong defender.”

Former Air Force Academy Falcon Austin Dewing appeared in his first game for the Switchbacks at Weidner Field last Saturday as a second half substitute against the Real Monarchs SLC.  “It felt great – it’s what I’ve been working towards,” said Austin Dewing about his debut at Weidner Field. “Austin [Bold FC] will come out firing – they’ve seen that we’ve lost the last two games – and they’ll try to get on us early, so we have to be ready for that.”  Fellow new Switchbacks signing and Air Force Academy graduate Tucker Bone will be available for Saturday’s match in Texas.  

Saturday’s forecast for Bold Stadium in Austin – which is part of the sweeping Circuit of the Americas complex – will be in the mid 90’s.  “We need to focus on us and on our game,” said center back Kris Reaves. “This week we need to train hard and get better. Luckily for us, we just came back from McAllen so the heat shouldn’t affect us or be a factor in the game.”

“We were just down in Texas so the heat won’t be as much of a shock,” said Sam Raben, referring to the Switchbacks’ contest in Edinburg, Texas on June 15th at H-E-B Park.  “We’re not as worried about the heat as we are playing our game on Saturday and getting back to winning.”

The Switchbacks will return to Weidner Field in Colorado Springs for a 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular against Orange County SC that includes a pre-game blanket giveaway, courtesy of Oakwood Homes, with tickets available HERE.  

On July 5th, Jon Eddy Productions will present Billy Ray Cyrus and Johnny McGuire at Weidner Field, with a post-concert fireworks show.  Kimberly Dunn and The Tyler Walker Band will open the show in Colorado Springs, with tickets still available HERE.

Saturday’s forecast for Bold Stadium in Austin – which is part of the sweeping Circuit of the Americas complex – will be in the mid 90’s.  “We need to focus on us and on our game,” said center back Kris Reaves. “This week we need to train hard and get better. Luckily for us, we just came back from McAllen so the heat shouldn’t affect us or be a factor in the game.”

“We were just down in Texas so the heat won’t be as much of a shock,” said Sam Raben, referring to the Switchbacks’ contest in Edinburg, Texas on June 15th at H-E-B Park.  “We’re not as worried about the heat as we are playing our game on Saturday and getting back to winning.”

The Switchbacks will return to Weidner Field in Colorado Springs for a 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular against Orange County SC that includes a pre-game blanket giveaway, courtesy of Oakwood Homes, with tickets available HERE.  

On July 5th, Jon Eddy Productions will present Billy Ray Cyrus and Johnny McGuire at Weidner Field, with a post-concert fireworks show.  Kimberly Dunn and The Tyler Walker Band will open the show in Colorado Springs, with tickets still available HERE.