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USL Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

Switchbacks FC Announce Transfer of Isaiah Foster to Major League SoccerÂ

January 5, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC News Release


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC announced today the transfer of Isaiah Foster to FC Cincinnati of Major League Soccer, in a deal that also includes a sell on clause. Per league policy, details of the transfer will not be made public and is pending league and federation approval. Foster is the first player to move to Major League Soccer from the Switchbacks franchise.

"I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to play for Brendan and the Switchbacks. They helped me take the first steps in achieving my goals of becoming a professional soccer player," said Foster. "I am thankful to Brendan and the rest of the coaching staff who gave me the opportunity to play at such a great club. My teammates and the fans have made my first pro year a memorable year, and a very positive one. After one season with this club I am thrilled to make the move to FC Cincinnati and look forward to this next chapter!"

FC Cincinnati made their first Major League Soccer appearance in 2018, after being awarded an expansion slot. The team previously played in the USL. The 2022 season was a banner year for the franchise, earning a spot in the playoffs for the first time, and making it to the Conference Semi-finals before losing out to Philadelphia Union. Also of note, this season marked an MLS milestone, as two of the club's players earned a joint-best 18 goals in one season, the first time two players of the same team had earned that honor.

Foster, 18, has been a consistent player for the Switchbacks in his first season of professional play, earning 16 starts over 25 games played, and notching just over 1,500 minutes. He had 32 clearances and won 30 of 39 tackles, while holding a passing accuracy of 77.9%. He also managed to earn a goal, the first of his professional career, against FC Tulsa to double the score in the team's April win.

"Isaiah is a great example of a player recognizing the value of getting first team games at a young age in the USL Championship in order to showcase himself," said Head Coach and GM Brendan Burke on the sale. "It was evident to our whole staff early on that between his intelligence level, his athleticism, and his technical ability, he has the chance to go far in this game. His parents deserve a ton of credit for supporting what could have seemed like a risky move in the beginning to join us here and making him the man he is. I couldn't be more excited for him to work with the fantastic staff that Cincinnati have assembled at the MLS level and I can say with confidence that he will always have fans in Colorado Springs."

This transfer marks the second of its kind for the Switchbacks in the 2022 season, the first being the historic transfer of Hadji Barry to Egyptian Premier League Future FC. The hope with these sales is to show future players and recruits that the Switchbacks are dedicated to creating a pathway of success in the world of professional soccer for our players.

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