Switchbacks FC Win 3-1 in Front of Sellout Crowd on July 4th
July 5, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC News Release
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC goalkeeper Sean Melvin dives for a ball vs. Real Monarchs
(Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, Credit: Isaiah Downing)
Colorado Springs, CO - The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC won 3-1 powered behind three first half goals on the Fourth of July in front of a sellout crowd of 8,023 fans at Weidner Field.
The Switchbacks started the game fast when a golden opportunity fell to Deshane Beckford from close range ten minutes in, but he just couldn't get enough contact on the ball to direct it on target. The Switchbacks would find the lead six minutes later as Michee Ngalina played a low cross into the box that Beckford would direct inside the far post for his third goal for the Switchbacks.
Jose Torres played a line breaking pass to find Beckford inside the left side of the penalty area as the Jamaican forward played a slick pass to find Hadji Barry from six yards out as he perfectly timed his run to score his 11th goal in 10 games to start the 2021 season.
The Monarchs cut the deficit in half in the 28th minute as Douglas Martinez found space on the right side of the field before squaring the ball to Aris Briggs who finished from close range.
However, the Switchbacks would restore their two goal lead when Sebastian Anderson played a corner kick from the right side to the near post where Michael Edwards turned his header into the back of the net for the defender's first goal for the Switchbacks.
The hosts stayed on the front foot in the second half as Barry hit a shot first time from the top of the penalty area that would only miss the bottom left corner by mere inches.
After a foul near the edge of the box, the Monarchs were gifted an opportunity to get a second goal, this time from the penalty spot. Noah Powder stepped up to take the penalty as he placed it to the right side of the goal, but Sean Melvin read the shot and came up with a huge save diving to his left.
That would be the final action of the game that saw the Switchbacks win their fourth game in their last five in front of the largest crowd in Switchbacks history.
"I was impressed with the way we started the game, with the number of chances we created throughout the game," said Switchbacks Head Coach, Brendan Burke. "I thought there were three or four more goals in the game for us, so we're still a work in progress and we need to be a little sharper in the final third, but our front three are deadly and they did a great job again tonight. They were all involved in at least one if not two of the goals, so I'm just really happy with how those guys are playing. And everyone else deserves a ton of credit for putting them in good positions over and over again. The team's clicking, we're four out of our last five now, so this is what we've been waiting for."
The Switchbacks FC are on the road next to take on New Mexico United on Friday, July 9 at 7:30pm MT at Isotopes Park. The Switchbacks are back at Weidner Field on July 17 against San Antonio FC with gates opening at 11am for a 12pm kick off. This game will be nationally broadcasted on ESPN 2. Tickets are available HERE.
Post-Game Quotes
Brendan Burke - Head Coach
Overall thoughts on the game:
"I was impressed with the way we started the game, with the number of chances we created throughout the game. I thought there were three or four more goals in the game for us, so we're still a work in progress and we need to be a little sharper in the final third, but our front three are deadly and they did a great job again tonight. They were all involved in at least one if not two of the goals, so I'm just really happy with how those guys are playing. And everyone else deserves a ton of credit for putting them in good positions over and over again. The team's clicking, we're four out of our last five now, so this is what we've been waiting for."
On the strong performance and bouncing back from the OC game:
"We're trying to get to the point where this is a really tough place for anyone to play, and I think with the Orange County game there was a lot of frustration and disappointment with a number of factors with that game, so that kind of fueled the little bit of energy we needed to get through that quick turnaround."
Michael Edwards:
On the momentum that drove them to three goals in the first half:
"You definitely don't want to lose two in a row, so we believed in each other and we came into this game knowing we needed three points to get top three in the table. We were able to do that, and so we look good going into the match going into New Mexico."
On his first USL goal:
"Yeah it felt great. We worked on that play, that run all week in training. We practiced with us all to make the near post run, and luckily I was able to get on the end of it."
Sean Melvin:
On the mentality involved to get a win after OC late last week:
"I think just a positive and aggressive mentality. We wanted to come out early and strong, and I think we were able to accomplish that. We've got a good group of guys and good attitude, good commitment, we just push for every game and every minute and we were able to do that tonight."
On his PK in the second half:
"It's a bit of a guess but I mean an educated one. We watch film a lot, and you kind of know the other players that are on the field. You know he's left footed, and you try to see what kind of player he is throughout the game, if he cuts across himself, if he goes for power, that kind of thing, and you just make an educated guess best you can, and I was lucky to get it tonight."
Game Statistics
Man of the Match// Sean Melvin
Scoring Summary// COS: Beckford (16'), Barry (22'), Edwards (32') | SLC: Briggs (28')
Saves// COS: Melvin (4) | SLC: Dewsnup (6)
Discipline// COS: YC: Mahoney (83'), Edwards (87'), Mayaka (90+1) | SLC: YC: Bance (30'), Saucedo (38'), Ilioski (65'), Sobowale (82')
Images from this story
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 5, 2021
- Know Your Opponent: Oakland Roots SC - Sacramento Republic FC
- 3 Things: #CHSvPIT - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Three Takeaways from #SDvSAC - Sacramento Republic FC
- Switchbacks FC Win 3-1 in Front of Sellout Crowd on July 4th - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Stories
- Matt Real Named to Team of the Week Bench for Week 11
- Switchbacks Win at Home Against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Matt Mahoney Has Been Named to Team of the Week for Week 10
- Switchbacks Earn a Draw Against Las Vegas Lights
- Switchbacks Fall to New York Red Bulls 4-1
