Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup action returns to Colorado Springs on Wednesday as the Switchbacks play host to Harpo’s FC at Switchbacks Stadium. Harpo’s reached the Second Round matchup against the Switchbacks after defeating Albuquerque Sol FC 2-0 at St Pius X High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico on May 11th.
The Switchbacks joined the U.S. Open Cup in the Second Round, along with sixteen other USL clubs that are not owned by MLS franchises.
Harpo’s FC will travel to Colorado Springs for the second straight U.S. Open Cup campaign. On May 20th of 2015 the Switchbacks defeated Harpo’s 2-1 at Switchbacks Stadium. A first half brace by Belfast born Marty Maybin proved just enough for the Switchbacks to edge Harpo’s, who scored early in the second half on a goal by defender Kevin Haber. Assisted by team captain Sawyer Frank, Haber took his chance well and set up a nervous last forty minutes for the Switchbacks in front of their home fans.
Both Haber and Frank will be pushing for playing time in their return to Switchbacks Stadium on Wednesday night.
An amateur soccer team that calls Boulder and the surrounding Colorado area home, Harpo’s pose a unique challenge for the Switchbacks. Unsure of Harpo’s starting personnel and tactics, the Switchbacks will go into Wednesday night’s matchup at Switchbacks Stadium focusing only on what they can control and with an eye towards the Saturday USL matchup with Arizona United SC.
“Playing Harpo’s is a two-edged sword,” said Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh. “We want to play them and we’re ready, but we must look at Arizona as well. We know we can win both games and we need to be ready for both.”
Predicting a starting XI for the Switchbacks is not an easy task as numerous changes from the accustomed USL lineup will no doubt be on show for the visit of Harpo’s. Central defender Josh Phillips is suspended for Wednesday’s game after receiving a 62nd minute red card for a tackle on Dominique Badji against the Colorado Rapids in last season’s U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round.
Despite eventually losing the game 4-1 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, the Switchbacks gave a commendable account of themselves and were rewarded with a fine stoppage-time goal from right back Jordan Burt. Cutting inside on his left foot, Burt powered a crisp strike past Rapids goalkeeper Zac MacMath in the 92nd minute.
As Harpo’s FC proved last year in nearly running the Switchbacks to the wire at Switchbacks Stadium, the visitors will rely on their energy and enthusiasm in order to compete with the professionalism of the Switchbacks. “They’re [Harpo’s] at a good level and the game is not to be taken light heartedly,” said Switchbacks midfielder Jacob Cawsey. “We’re all definitely up for it, and it’s always great to have a good Cup run. A few good results in the [U.S. Open] Cup might help us a lot in the USL season.”
“Maybe Wednesday will be a chance for other players to play,” continued Cawsey. “Rony [Argueta] and Kim [Taeseong] are doing great in midfield. I feel I’m improving well and if I do get the nod on Wednesday I’m ready to contribute to a really good team performance.”
In addition to Cawsey, there are a host of Switchbacks players who will be pushing for places in the starting XI. A magnificent Man of the Match performance from goalkeeper Billy Thompson against San Antonio FC earned the Switchbacks’ keeper a place on the USL Team of the Week, and the Orange County native may be called on against Harpo’s to allow starter Devala Gorrick a rest after another clean sheet –this time against Portland Timbers 2 last Friday.
Keeping the goalkeepers rested, motivated, and available to step in whenever called upon was foremost in Switchbacks’ goalkeeping Coach Trey Harrington’s mind ahead of the visit by Harpo’s. “In training we tell them to treat every training session like a game,” said Harrington. “At any time they have to be ready to go and to make that one save that keeps us in a game. We consider them [Gorrick and Thompson] both Number One and we tell them that in training all the time. Both must always be ready to go and ready to play.”
Possibly tabbed as Wednesday’s replacement for the suspended Josh Phillips, defender Kevin Durr pointed to his preparation when asked if he was ready to step in against Harpo’s. “I’m hoping to get some minutes on Wednesday – if not a start if I’m lucky,” said Active Duty Air Force Officer Durr. “The U.S. Open Cup gives us a great opportunity to play lots of different teams. We must approach the game wit the same professionalism as last year. For me personally, any time I can be on the field I’m very excited. I need game-time to improve, I play every practice at 100% and always act like training is a live game so I can be ready in the real situation.”
“All the guys are itching to play and really want to prove themselves,” said Head Coach Trittschuh. “Harpo’s will fight and come with spirit. I watched their game against Albuquerque…it wasn’t the best game to watch. But we know we have to be on top of our game and match their enthusiasm and intensity, because Harpo’s will play with a lot of spirit.”
One of the most consistent performers for the Switchbacks in 2015, JJ Greer has found himself moved forward into a defensive midfield position this season. With a recall into his more accustomed position of central defense possible on Wednesday night, Greer both commended the performance of Harpo’s in last season’s meeting and looked to his own work ethic when asked about seeing game-time in midweek. “Last year they didn’t quit. We were up 2-0, but they fought back. They’ll make the game as scrappy as possible, they’ll be used to the elevation, and they’ll definitely work hard and show a lot of spirit.”
Greer continued, “Staying ready when your name is called is what being a professional is all about. I do my best to train hard, hit the weights, and get extra runs in around training to stay ready. You have to keep believing and keep telling yourself you’ll play – that’s what this game and being a professional means.”
The scorer of both goals against Harpo’s last year, Marty Maybin doesn’t want to overlook Harpo’s despite the Saturday matchup against Arizona United in the Valley of the Sun. “It’s another competition for us to make a decent run like last year,” insisted Maybin. “We can’t take Harpo’s for granted. We need to go out and win, keep on scoring, and keep creating these opportunities.”
After appearing as a substitute in the 1-0 win against the Portland Timbers 2 on Friday, midfielder Shintaro Harada maintained nothing short of a win on Wednesday would be satisfactory. “We have to win this game,” said Harada. “We can’t think about last year against Harpo’s, we just focus on the opponent in front of us this year. They may be better than last year, but we definitely have to win the game…nothing else is ok.”
The winner of Wednesday night’s match in Colorado Springs will travel to Arizona to face either Arizona United SC or FC Tucson on June 1st. Kicking off half an hour later than the Switchbacks’ match against Harpo’s, FC Tucson of the Premier Development League will host USL’s Arizona United at Kino North Stadium, in Tucson, Arizona at 7:30 p.m.
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup action returns to Colorado Springs on Wednesday as the Switchbacks play host to Harpo’s FC at Switchbacks Stadium. Harpo’s reached the Second Round matchup against the Switchbacks after defeating Albuquerque Sol FC 2-0 at St Pius X High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico on May 11th.
The Switchbacks joined the U.S. Open Cup in the Second Round, along with sixteen other USL clubs that are not owned by MLS franchises.
Harpo’s FC will travel to Colorado Springs for the second straight U.S. Open Cup campaign. On May 20th of 2015 the Switchbacks defeated Harpo’s 2-1 at Switchbacks Stadium. A first half brace by Belfast born Marty Maybin proved just enough for the Switchbacks to edge Harpo’s, who scored early in the second half on a goal by defender Kevin Haber. Assisted by team captain Sawyer Frank, Haber took his chance well and set up a nervous last forty minutes for the Switchbacks in front of their home fans.
Both Haber and Frank will be pushing for playing time in their return to Switchbacks Stadium on Wednesday night.
An amateur soccer team that calls Boulder and the surrounding Colorado area home, Harpo’s pose a unique challenge for the Switchbacks. Unsure of Harpo’s starting personnel and tactics, the Switchbacks will go into Wednesday night’s matchup at Switchbacks Stadium focusing only on what they can control and with an eye towards the Saturday USL matchup with Arizona United SC.
“Playing Harpo’s is a two-edged sword,” said Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh. “We want to play them and we’re ready, but we must look at Arizona as well. We know we can win both games and we need to be ready for both.”
Predicting a starting XI for the Switchbacks is not an easy task as numerous changes from the accustomed USL lineup will no doubt be on show for the visit of Harpo’s. Central defender Josh Phillips is suspended for Wednesday’s game after receiving a 62nd minute red card for a tackle on Dominique Badji against the Colorado Rapids in last season’s U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round.
Despite eventually losing the game 4-1 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, the Switchbacks gave a commendable account of themselves and were rewarded with a fine stoppage-time goal from right back Jordan Burt. Cutting inside on his left foot, Burt powered a crisp strike past Rapids goalkeeper Zac MacMath in the 92nd minute.
As Harpo’s FC proved last year in nearly running the Switchbacks to the wire at Switchbacks Stadium, the visitors will rely on their energy and enthusiasm in order to compete with the professionalism of the Switchbacks. “They’re [Harpo’s] at a good level and the game is not to be taken light heartedly,” said Switchbacks midfielder Jacob Cawsey. “We’re all definitely up for it, and it’s always great to have a good Cup run. A few good results in the [U.S. Open] Cup might help us a lot in the USL season.”
“Maybe Wednesday will be a chance for other players to play,” continued Cawsey. “Rony [Argueta] and Kim [Taeseong] are doing great in midfield. I feel I’m improving well and if I do get the nod on Wednesday I’m ready to contribute to a really good team performance.”
In addition to Cawsey, there are a host of Switchbacks players who will be pushing for places in the starting XI. A magnificent Man of the Match performance from goalkeeper Billy Thompson against San Antonio FC earned the Switchbacks’ keeper a place on the USL Team of the Week, and the Orange County native may be called on against Harpo’s to allow starter Devala Gorrick a rest after another clean sheet –this time against Portland Timbers 2 last Friday.
Keeping the goalkeepers rested, motivated, and available to step in whenever called upon was foremost in Switchbacks’ goalkeeping Coach Trey Harrington’s mind ahead of the visit by Harpo’s. “In training we tell them to treat every training session like a game,” said Harrington. “At any time they have to be ready to go and to make that one save that keeps us in a game. We consider them [Gorrick and Thompson] both Number One and we tell them that in training all the time. Both must always be ready to go and ready to play.”
Possibly tabbed as Wednesday’s replacement for the suspended Josh Phillips, defender Kevin Durr pointed to his preparation when asked if he was ready to step in against Harpo’s. “I’m hoping to get some minutes on Wednesday – if not a start if I’m lucky,” said Active Duty Air Force Officer Durr. “The U.S. Open Cup gives us a great opportunity to play lots of different teams. We must approach the game wit the same professionalism as last year. For me personally, any time I can be on the field I’m very excited. I need game-time to improve, I play every practice at 100% and always act like training is a live game so I can be ready in the real situation.”
“All the guys are itching to play and really want to prove themselves,” said Head Coach Trittschuh. “Harpo’s will fight and come with spirit. I watched their game against Albuquerque…it wasn’t the best game to watch. But we know we have to be on top of our game and match their enthusiasm and intensity, because Harpo’s will play with a lot of spirit.”
One of the most consistent performers for the Switchbacks in 2015, JJ Greer has found himself moved forward into a defensive midfield position this season. With a recall into his more accustomed position of central defense possible on Wednesday night, Greer both commended the performance of Harpo’s in last season’s meeting and looked to his own work ethic when asked about seeing game-time in midweek. “Last year they didn’t quit. We were up 2-0, but they fought back. They’ll make the game as scrappy as possible, they’ll be used to the elevation, and they’ll definitely work hard and show a lot of spirit.”
Greer continued, “Staying ready when your name is called is what being a professional is all about. I do my best to train hard, hit the weights, and get extra runs in around training to stay ready. You have to keep believing and keep telling yourself you’ll play – that’s what this game and being a professional means.”
The scorer of both goals against Harpo’s last year, Marty Maybin doesn’t want to overlook Harpo’s despite the Saturday matchup against Arizona United in the Valley of the Sun. “It’s another competition for us to make a decent run like last year,” insisted Maybin. “We can’t take Harpo’s for granted. We need to go out and win, keep on scoring, and keep creating these opportunities.”
After appearing as a substitute in the 1-0 win against the Portland Timbers 2 on Friday, midfielder Shintaro Harada maintained nothing short of a win on Wednesday would be satisfactory. “We have to win this game,” said Harada. “We can’t think about last year against Harpo’s, we just focus on the opponent in front of us this year. They may be better than last year, but we definitely have to win the game…nothing else is ok.”
The winner of Wednesday night’s match in Colorado Springs will travel to Arizona to face either Arizona United SC or FC Tucson on June 1st. Kicking off half an hour later than the Switchbacks’ match against Harpo’s, FC Tucson of the Premier Development League will host USL’s Arizona United at Kino North Stadium, in Tucson, Arizona at 7:30 p.m.