Vargish's View

Opponent: Indy Eleven
Match Date: April 20.
Location: Weidner Field.
Doors Open: 5:00pm MT. Tickets are available HERE! with the first fans through the gates receiving a commemorative 10th season scarf, courtesy of Capelli Sport!
Last Meeting: Indy Eleven 1, Switchbacks 0. May 20th , 2023, Michael A. Carroll Stadium on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Goal from Bryam Rebellón (16’).
How to Listen: Live on the radio on 740 KVOR with the Voices of the Switchbacks, Ryan Kaufman and Roland Vargish – coverage starts at 5:30pm. Streaming online at xtrasports1300.com and on the XTRA Sports 1300 app.

Coach Chamber’s Comments: “Obviously this has been a difficult stretch – [there’s] no doubt about that. The players are extremely motivated – as is everyone in the building to turn it around – and we’re excited to get ourselves into a position that we know [that] we can get to, and there’s no better place than being at home this weekend. “I think the boys brought enough energy to the game [in Phoenix] which is really important. I think they kept the ball well – we didn’t create as much as we would have liked. We only had four shots, which is not enough to win a game, so that’s an area of focus for us now. But the reality is from a commitment standpoint from the players it was fantastic and we need more of that, with the right energy [on Saturday].”

Opposition Outlook: “Indy have a talented roster right through the team, so we’re under no illusions of what’s coming into the building,” continued Head Coach Chambers. “They will be wanting to turn their league form [around]. It’s obviously a little bit better than ours at the moment, but they’re looking to turn that around too. They’ve got Augi [Sierra Leone international Augustine Williams] up top, they’ve got [Sebastian] Guenzatti who’s a serious player at this level, and they’ve obviously got [Jack] Blake and some good defenders in there. And [they have] some more attacking threats [who] probably haven’t seen the field as much as they would like. We know that they’re littered with talent right through the spine of the team, and
look, I think they’ll be coming here just to try and solidify themselves and put on a performance that gets them points. But we’re doing the exact same thing. It’s the same every week – everybody comes in to try and defeat the opponent and [they have] their game plans and all that. For us it’s about having the right energy from the start of the game. I felt like we had that [energy] in Phoenix. We would have liked to create more chances and be a little bit more penetrating, but it wasn’t to be [and] from a defensive standpoint we were little bit more solid but obviously didn’t keep the clean sheet.”

Vargish’s Views: Indy Eleven did just enough on Wednesday night to defeat MLS NEXT Pro’s Chicago Fire FC II at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup behind a 4 th minute goal from Honduran striker Douglas Martínez. USL Championship form has been patchy for the Boys in Blue in 2024, with their record falling 1-4-1 following a 4-2 defeat at home to the Charleston Battery last Saturday evening in the Hoosier State.

Through five games of the USL Championship season, the Switchbacks would bite your hand off for Indy’s patchy one-win record. With a late-night trip to Oaktown on the horizon next week, Saturday’s match against Indy represents the perfect time for the Switchbacks to shift their 2024
season into gear. Training at Weidner Field for James Chambers’ club has been like that camping trip the summer after graduating high school: intense. The Switchbacks must jump on Indy early on Saturday and use the conditions and the crowd to will the ball into the net and get the victory their hard work deserves.

Opponent: Phoenix Rising FC
Match Date: April 13, 2024
Location: Phoenix Rising Stadium
Kickoff: 8:30pm MT
Last Meeting with Opponent: Switchbacks 2, Phoenix Rising 0. October 14th , 2023, Weidner Field, Colorado Springs. Goals from Juan Tejada (12’) and Jairo Henriquez (29’).
How to Listen: XTRA Sports 1300am with the Voices of the Switchbacks, Ryan Kaufman and Roland Vargish – coverage starts at 8:00pm MT.

Player’s Points: “I haven’t played for so long and the coaches keep trust in me and then they give me this opportunity, so I really appreciate it,” said Ghanaian defender Wahab Ackwei. “Unfortunately we didn’t get the result that we wanted. We have to focus on ourselves – obviously we haven’t gotten the results that we want, but going to Phoenix we know it’s going to be difficult, but I one hundred percent believe in the team and the coaching staff. You can see from training today [with] everybody; the intensity was so high, and I have no doubt we’re going to bring the three points home.”

Coach Chamber’s Comments: “Honestly for someone who hasn’t played in like 6 to 8 months I thought [Wahab] was fantastic [against Sacramento]. Obviously it wasn’t an extremely polished performance from him, but [he was great] in regards to coming in like that and having the right mentality to just try and improve the group and do his best to keep a clean sheet. We know the more he gets exposed to games, the better he’s going to be and the quicker he’ll return to full game fitness. He’s been an unbelievable addition to the group. “Look, the mood is confident [within the team]. [We’re] not happy that [we’re] 0-4, there’s no doubt about that, but the group doesn’t feel defeated. [The group is] ready and it has a little chip on the shoulder that we’re in this position, so I’m really excited for where we’re at [and] I’m happy with where [we are] and we’re looking forward to where we’re going this weekend.”

Opposition Outlook: “[Phoenix Rising] are obviously defending champions in their own building,” continued Head Coach Chambers. “They’re a really good side with a lot of talent and look, they’ll be looking to try and turn around their form which – they’ve got obviously four points on the board – but is a little bit patchy as late, [just] as we’ve been. It will be an entertaining game and we just want to go down there and focus on ourselves.”

Vargish’s View: Phoenix Rising are 1-3-1 in 2024 and have experienced a lot of roster and technical staff turnover since winning the USL Championship last season. Phoenix’s last match – a wild, chaotic 3-3 draw against FC Tulsa last Friday evening in Oklahoma – will leave the
Rising without the services of midfielder Emil Cuello against the Switchbacks, as the Argentine was red carded just after the hour mark. Saturday night presents a unique opportunity for the Switchbacks to arrest the slide that has engulfed their start to the season. There was a definite response from the players brought on at halftime of the loss to Sacramento at Weidner Field – many of whom will no doubt be pushing for inclusion in the Valley of the Sun. The Switchbacks will have to withstand significant pressure from a Phoenix team that will be desperate to log their second win of the season, and it’s entirely plausible that Saturday’s result will be dictated by which team plays with a confidence that belies their respective early-season league results.

Opponent: Sacramento Republic FC
Match Date: April 6th
Location: Weidner Field.
Doors Open: 5:00pm MT. Tickets are available HERE for Colorado Night!!
Last Meeting: Switchbacks 2, Sacramento Republic 0. September 23rd , 2023, Weidner Field in Colorado Springs. Goals from Romario Williams (29’) and Jairo Henriquez (90+2’).
How to Listen: 740 KVOR with the Voices of the Switchbacks, Ryan Kaufman and Roland Vargish – coverage starts at 5:30pm.

Coach Chamber’s Comments: “We obviously evaluate the first three games, and some things didn’t bounce our way and some things we needed to be a little bit better at. The performance in San Antonio we thought from an application standpoint was fantastic. Some decisions didn’t go our way that should have gone our way on a different night, and I think for us it’s a case of evaluating that as a whole [and] working this week on areas we need to improve on. The players have really bought into what we want to try and do, and we’re just focused on getting better and getting ourselves on the board. I don’t think it’s going to be long until we do that, but we also have to stay the course too. “It’s big to have [Koa Santos] back [available for selection on Saturday, following a red card against Detroit City and subsequent one game suspension that was served against San Antonio]. It’s a learning experience – it’s part of a young players’ development [in terms of] understanding the momentum in the game and making those decisions. Look, we’ve all been there before and we’ve all learned from it. He’s responded in a fantastic manner [and] trained really, really well and we’re excited to have him back in the squad. “I can’t keep putting into words [how much it means to play at Weidner Field] because it is indescribable. It really is. We felt like we let the fans down the last time we were here [against Detroit]. The momentum we had from the start of the second half to the 60 th minute [and] the red card was incredible, and we want that for 90 minutes on Saturday night. We owe them [the fans at Weidner Field] but we also want them to row in behind the players. The players are working their tails off to continue to get better and to get results and we want everybody to enjoy
themselves on Saturday night.”

Opposition Outlook: “[Sacramento has] started the season quite well – obviously unbeaten [and with] a couple of good results,” continued Head Coach Chambers. “[Russell] Cicerone and [Cristian] Parano [are players we look at]. I think [Trevor} Amann has gone in there and made a real impact. They have some top players all over the field. They scored late the other night, so we’re under no illusions what’s coming into the building. [Sacramento were] Champions last year in the Western Conference so look; we’re not naïve. We’re looking forward to it [and] I think we’re eager to get ourselves on the board.”

Vargish’s Views: Last season, Sacramento Republic were far and away the best regular season team in the USL Championship’s Western Conference. Undoubtedly buoyed by their 87 th minute winner against Memphis 901 FC last Saturday, Sacramento arrive undefeated in Colorado Springs behind a couple wins and two draws in 2024. A former Kalamazoo Outrage midfielder, Republic Head Coach Mark Briggs has assembled a roster laden with talent and experience that looks as difficult to beat as any team in the league through the first month of the season. The Switchbacks’ win over Sacramento in Colorado Springs last September was hard fought and a harbinger of Saturday’s match. The scheduling gods have not been kind to the Switchbacks through the first three matchdays, and a return to action against Sacramento presents a terribly tall task. Home points are always possible in the unique confines – and in front of the raucous crowd – that only exist in the rarified air of Weidner Field. And with a trip to
the Valley of the Sun on the horizon, the Switchbacks will put in a 90-minute performance they can be proud of on Saturday night. Fans demand it. Coaches demand it. And Ryan and Roland really want it.

Opponent: San Antonio FC
Match Date: March 23
Location: Toyota Field
Kickoff: 6:30pm MT
Last Meeting with Opponent: San Antonio 1, Switchbacks 0. October 21st , 2023, Toyota Field in the USL Championship Playoffs Conference Quarterfinals. Goal from Jorge Hernández (55’).
How to Listen: 740 KVOR with the Voices of the Switchbacks, Ryan Kaufman and Roland Vargish – coverage starts at 6:00pm MT.

Coach Chamber’s Comments: “It’s a difficult place to go but it’s the [type of] game [that] we want to be involved in. I don’t think there’s anybody in this building shirking the challenge [of] going there by any stretch of the imagination. “I said at the start of the season [that] if players perform, they’ll play [and] if they don’t, they won’t – it’s not rocket science. It’s not a group of starters and players who come off the bench. It’s certainly not that. It’s a squad and people who are performing will play [and] people who aren’t they won’t, and as the season goes [on] those roles and those personnel changes will be different on a weekly basis [and a] monthly basis. That’s the reality of it. “I think for us honestly the first two weeks’ results haven’t been what we wanted – they weren’t what we had tried to set out to achieve – but from a training standpoint, I wouldn’t have changed anything. I think the boys have been fantastic [in] their application [and] their mentality to training. Possibly we can do a little bit more but possibly we’re not getting the rub of the green at the moment. We [have to] just continue to work hard, we keep our head down, and then we get our just rewards as it comes.”

Opposition Outlook: “I think they obviously have a talented roster [and there are] some real winners in that group,” continued Switchbacks Head Coach James Chambers. “[Jorge] Hernandez stands off the page immediately. He’s an extreme talent. He’s far and above probably what’s in the USL, and the thing with him [is that] he’s consistent. He does it week in [and] week out. There’s a lot of players in the USL that are maybe at his talent [level] in theory, but that’s one thing having the talent. It’s [another] thing going out there and doing it consistently on a weekly basis, and he does it, hands down. So he’s definitely one, and they’ve got some other really good players. They’ve obviously brought in a lot on-loan from MLS, which they do consistently, so it’s something that we’re wary of, but again, it’s 11 [versus] 11. “[Being big and physical is] in the DNA [of San Antonio], but they’re also trying to be a little bit more possession-oriented and [they] try and hit you in different ways. They’re adapting – they’re in that phase at the moment. They did really well in Tampa the other night to come back so late in the game – that shows their kind of grit and their determination and their never-say-die attitude. But again, like I said, it’s [about] us going down there with real belief you know and we’re really excited to get down there and put on a performance and get the season going for us realistically.”

Vargish’s View: By their recent standards, San Antonio have had a difficult start to the 2024 season, registering back-to-back 2-2 draws. Meanwhile the Switchbacks have dropped their first two games while registering just a solitary goal. Any type of result in the Alamo City would be priceless for a Switchbacks team that went 0-2-1 last season against Saturday’s hosts, which included the aforementioned playoff loss. The Switchbacks will not play after Saturday’s match until they host Sacramento Republic on April 6 th at Weidner Field in downtown Colorado Springs, which only heightens the importance of going into the bye-week off the back of a positive performance. It’s impossible to preview San Antonio FC without stating the obvious; SAFC beats teams in a myriad of ways. If you make the game open and free-flowing, San Antonio can steal a goal from a set piece. Try to bunker down and grind out a result, SAFC have the talent and experience to carve open any team and score from open play. The Switchbacks need to go into
Toyota Field and put on a performance to be proud of. A performance that reflects the Switchbacks; attacking with pace, defending as a team, and ready for the physical challenge of a game in San Antonio.

Opponent: Detroit City FC
Match Date: March 16.
Location: Weidner Field.
Doors Open: 5:00pm MT.
Promotion/Giveaway: Free Switchbacks T-Shirt for first 2000 fans, courtesy of Sunbelt Rentals. Tickets are available HERE!
Last Meeting: Switchbacks 3, Detroit City 0. September 27 th , 2023, Weidner Field in Colorado Springs. Goals from Juan Tejada (15’) and Romario Williams (24’ and 49’).
How to Listen: XTRA Sports 1300am with Voices of the Switchbacks, Ryan Kaufman and Roland Vargish – coverage starts at 5:30pm.

Coach Chamber’s Comments: “We were very good out of possession [in Miami],” said the Switchbacks’ Head Coach when asked about falling 2-0 last Saturday evening in South Florida. “We were we were good in possession without being overly clinical – I think that’s an area [where] we’d like to obviously get better. Overall, we’re disappointed, but we have metrics in place that showed it was a good performance [in Miami]. Look, we had 38 [ball] recoveries in the opponent’s half – that’s pretty high and we had chances that were off the back of that. We want to dictate the game [and] we want to have the ball [and] if the opponent has it, we would love to have it back!”

Player’s Points: “It [was] frustrating [in Miami] but we know it’s the beginning of the season and there’s lots to build on,” said Switchbacks captain Matt Mahoney. “We have a young group [and we are] obviously still putting things together after a long preseason, and the encouraging thing is that we had a lot of chances. I think there were over around 20 shots, so [if] we put a couple of those on target it’s a different game. If we’re better in the two boxes [then] that outcome could be different, but it’s a long season ahead and [we’re] excited to be back home this Saturday. “I think we just focus on ourselves – we know what we can do especially home in front of our fans at Weidner Field. If we can bring up the intensity and bring [a] fast-paced game to [Detroit City], then they should be able to hang with us here. Over my four years here I’ve loved these home games here. The seven, eight thousand people that show up every weekend and we had this season ticket member event a couple weeks ago and we see how many fans show out, and I’m excited to get going.”

Opposition Outlook: “I think [Detroit City FC Head Coach] Danny [Dichio] will be going in there – similar to Antonio [Nocerino] last weekend – to put his own stamp on it. He’s brought in some really, really good players that we’re familiar with, and he’ll be looking to do what we’re all trying
to do, which is put our style of play across to the players and get results. “Their club is built on hard work and effort and energy and they’re a battling team, but I think Danny will want to go in there, have [all] that, and then add his own little bit to it. I’m sure they’ll try and have a little bit more to the ball [and] be a little bit more possession oriented, which is what they have brought in [with] the players that they’ve recruited. We’ll be up for the challenge – we’re honestly excited to get home [and] we’re excited to have a home game now. And we really want the fans to come out with energy and we want to entertain them. “[Weidner Field] is beautiful – it’s a fantastic place to be. We’re blessed to train here every day, but there’s nobody in the seats, so it’s completely different come Saturday evening, and we’re just really, really focused on putting on a performance for the fans and giving them something to shout about because it’s been a long, long time – apart from the ones that traveled to Miami – without a game. We really want to give them back a little bit.”

Vargish’s Views:
Detroit City will do exactly as Switchbacks Head Coach James Chambers said, they’ll embody their city’s grit and penchant for hard work. As a player, Detroit’s new leader Danny Dichio was easy to hate…unless he was on your team. His name is still sung in the Town End at Preston North End’s Deepdale. There’s no regular season footage as Saturday evening will be Detroit’s first competitive match of 2024, but one must assume Le Rouge will come to Colorado Springs looking to out-work the Switchbacks. Last weekend in Florida the Switchbacks dominated possession (62%) and out-shot Miami 21-10 but were unable to find a goal. Expect similar possession dominance on Saturday in front of the home crowd in Colorado Springs. It’s the simplest and most obvious thing to say, but the Switchbacks must convert their chances on Saturday night. Speed will be the key factor against
Detroit. If the Switchbacks can dominate the tempo and pace of the game, they’ll be victorious. If Detroit can turn the match into a stop-start affair, then Le Rouge will leave the Rocky Mountains with points.

Opponent: The Miami FC

Match Date: March 9th, 2024

Location: FIU Football Stadium

Kickoff: 5:00pm MT

Last Meeting with Opponent: Switchbacks 2, The Miami FC 0. July 1st , Weidner Field in Colorado Springs. Goals from Deshane Beckford (59’) and Romario Williams (75’).

How to Listen: XTRA Sports 1300am with the Voices of the Switchbacks, Ryan Kaufman and Roland Vargish – coverage starts at 4:30pm MT.

Coach Chamber’s Comments: “I think the key [for] us is to take everything that we’ve learned through the six weeks in preseason and look to implement it next Saturday in Miami,” said Head Coach James Chambers. “[Miami] will be a young hungry group – they’ve got a lot of international players, and they obviously have a new coach as well, so he’ll be looking to stamp his authority on the team, and then obviously try and get a result. But for us it’s about focusing on what we’re trying to do [and] not get overly confident, or also beat ourselves over the head. It’s a case of going into the game with our game plan and our principals and trying to put our best foot forward to start the season. Obviously we’d like to start the season with a win but we know going to Miami is a very difficult place, but I think we have a young hungry group that really wants to do well and try to impress. “We’re very close to having our [starting] 11 [for the game in Miami]. But again, it’s not a set [lineup] for us this season where it’s going to be a set 11 and then guys are just filling the bench to be spot-starters here and there. It’s a really competitive group. It’s got a lot of quality, a lot of energy, and again, a lot of young hungry players that are out to impress. It will be a group that if it performs, yes, it will continue to play [and] if it doesn’t perform then it won’t play. You also have to do your best every week to stay in the team – that’s really what we want. We want an iron sharpens iron mentality in the building.”

Player’s Points: “I definitely say we’re ready to go to Miami and play them and just kick off the season,” said Swedish striker Alex Andersson. Andersson, who starred collegiately for the UCCS Mountain Lions, scored a stunning goal to net the Switchbacks a 3-2 preseason win over Union Omaha at Weidner Field last Saturday. “I think just following through with our principles is key [to getting a good result in Miami] and working hard together as a unit. I feel like we definitely have the quality in the team to do something really special this year, so just staying true to ourselves and sticking to our principles [is key].”

Opposition Outlook: “We’re aware of Ben Mines [and] we know Frankie López who plays as the 9, and then Ben Ofeimu, we have a personal relationship with from a couple of years back [at the Philadelphia Union],” said Head Coach Chambers. “We’re well aware of the quality that
they’ve returned and signed [from around the] league, and they have a lot of players who are unknown to USL, but we’re doing our due diligence to understand their roles in the team. We’re aware that Miami will pose a serious threat at home and are similar to ourselves – they want to start in the right frame of mind.

Vargish’s View: What a way for the Switchbacks to start the season: half an hour west of South Beach and against a team in The Miami FC who have lofty playoff aspirations following an off-season that included the arrival of former Serie A stalwart Antonio Nocerino as Head Coach. The Switchbacks have so far signed nine new players to a club that has made the playoffs in each of the past three seasons; expectations are high in Colorado Springs. The Miami FC pose a unique challenge early in the season, with a solid mixture of established quality players and highly rated young talent. Offensively the Switchbacks looked crisp in preseason. To get a win in the 305, James Chambers’ team must attack with the pace and power that fans in Southern Colorado have grown to expect and adore.

On Saturday January 22nd, members of the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC staff attended the National School Choice Week event hosted by The Parent’s Challenge. Over 80 booths of local schools, organizations and non-profits gathered together for the day in order to display their wares, and educate families on the different opportunities available to them in Colorado Springs. 

Hundreds of families showed up and were able to enjoy music, performances by local groups, as well as an activity area that included a bouncy house, connect four, corn hole and more. With different raffle opportunities being given away throughout the day, it was an excellent opportunity for families to develop connections with local family practices, schools, and family friendly event venues (like Weidner Field). 

Also in attendance at this unique event was the most popular member of the Switchbacks staff – Ziggy! He had a blast taking photos with families, and even tried his hand at a game of Connect 4! 

If you are interested in tickets to the Switchbacks 2022 season – head to our tickets page at: switchbacksfc.com/2022season. The Switchbacks home opener will be on March 12th, as they face off against the USL Championship reigning champs, Orange County SC.