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USL Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

Switchbacks Looking for Win vs. San Antonio FC Tomorrow at Home

April 22, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC News Release


(Colorado Springs, CO) Despite losing their unbeaten record after a hard-fought 1-0 defeat in Seattle on Sunday night, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC still sit in the top-half of the standings and will look to extend their enviable home dominance at Switchbacks Stadium this Saturday afternoon against San Antonio FC.

One of three new franchises added to the USL's Western Conference for the 2016 season, San Antonio FC finish a three game road trip with Saturday's match. A 1-1 draw against Los Angeles Galaxy II was followed four days later by a narrow 1-0 defeat to the Orange County Blues that left San Antonio in eighth place after four matches.

San Antonio FC's owners, Spurs Sports & Entertainment, are best known for their namesake, the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA. The company also owns five other sports franchises: The San Antonio Rampage play in the American Hockey League, and are the minor league affiliate of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche. The San Antonio Stars are one of six Western Conference teams in the WNBA, while the Austin Spurs play in the NBA's Developmental League.

Tapping into an already soccer-rich environment in Texas, San Antonio FC were named as a USL's franchise in January. San Antonio has been rumored to be on the list of potential future Major League Soccer franchises since the first MLS matches in 1996. With San Antonio FC, soccer fans in the River City have a near-guaranteed entry into the MLS; if San Antonio FC fail to be named an MLS franchise before 2022 severe financial forfeitures would result for Spurs Sports & Entertainment due to an agreement between SS&E and both the City of San Antonio and Bexar County, Texas.

Leading San Antonio FC's offensive line is Jamaican international Jason Johnson. With two goals to his name this season - both coming in SAFC's USL debut against the Seattle Sounders FC 2 - Johnson is a player who has so far formed a prosperous relationship with his midfield teammate, Carlos Alvarez. Once a member of the Colorado Rapids, Alvarez is a box-to-box midfielder whose passing has been an offensive key for San Antonio FC. Alvarez scored the all-important late equalizer against LA Galaxy II on April 13th, and has given SAFC a strong foundation in the center of the field alongside teammate Rafael Castillo.

Head Coach Darren Powell arrived in San Antonio after working for Orlando City SC in both their developmental and professional academy. Before his duties with MLS' Orlando City SC, Powell, a native of England, compiled a distinguished collegiate coaching career in the United States. After coaching at North Carolina's Greensboro College, Powell moved twenty miles east along Interstate 40 to Elon University to become Head Coach of The Phoenix where he won three consecutive Southern Conference Tournaments.

Despite the obvious disappointment of defeat in Seattle, the Switchbacks will be looking to strengthen their home field advantage against an opponent that has never faced 90 minutes at more than 6,500 feet above sea level. "We can and must take advantage of the altitude here," said veteran midfielder Shintaro Harada. "Teams coming in here suffer, but we train here everyday."

While tight-lipped on any potential lineup changes, Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh has a fully healthy squad from which to choose from and stressed the importance of retaining possession. "In Seattle we lost the ball too easily, and we must improve on that," said Trittschuh. "We were slow in Seattle and we didn't play our game. If we can focus on ourselves and keep the ball this weekend we'll be alright."

Players and coaches alike were circumspect when asked about the challenges posed by facing a new expansion team. "We don't know exactly who they are," said Shin Harada. "We have to watch them and find their weak points and analyze them."

Captain Luke Vercollone agreed with Harada, and stressed that his teammates needed to concentrate on their own game. "It doesn't change much that we haven't faced them yet. We need to think about building ourselves and focus what we can control," said Vercollone before mentioning the bonus of once again playing in Colorado Springs. "Our style suits the altitude - high pressure and a hard work ethic. I'm optimistic about the game on Saturday and really motivated to bounce back after a tough result in Seattle - and I think we will!"

Switchbacks Assistant Coach Wolde Harris was succinct about this weekend's matchup: "We've watched them and they have a couple dangerous players," said the former Jamaican international. "We need to bring our A Game and focus on our mobility and work-rate and use the altitude to our advantage."

The Switchbacks have only allowed two goals this season, as a new-look central defensive partnership of Josh Phillips and Christian Ibeagha has so far proved immovable in front of starting goalkeeper Devala Gorrick. "Our defense has been solid so far," said Head Coach Trittschuh. "We've only given up an own-goal and a penalty kick this season...but now we just need to put our chances away."

One of the players who may well prove to be key at unlocking San Antonio FC's defense is winger Saeed Robinson. Appearing in all three games this season off the bench, Robinson will no doubt be pushing for a spot in the starting XI as his speed and creativity lend a dangerous dimension to the Switchbacks' attack. "We're capable of beating all the teams in this league," said Robinson. "We're just going to have to play like we can and do better together than the last two games. They have a good team and we must analyze what they can do well against us...but we can also always use the altitude to our advantage."

Striker Aaron King is another offensive player whose minutes have so far been limited in the first three games - in no small part due to the powerful forward play of Marty Maybin. King, when asked about new-look San Antonio FC, couldn't hide his excitement about the challenge: "I love playing teams we don't know much about! It's always a great test for us and it keeps us honest. We have to go and play our game; play our high-pressure style, control the tempo, and stay on our front foot...I'm hungry and ready to play," said King.

The first of two back-to-back USL matches to be played at Switchbacks Stadium in Colorado Springs, Saturday afternoon's game against San Antonio FC will be followed one week later by a 7pm start against Rocky Mountain rivals Real Monarchs SLC.

Typically wild Colorado spring weather has seen snow dropped on Colorado Springs in the last few days, although conditions and temperatures on Saturday will be far milder and warmer. "The snow might help the surface [at Switchbacks Stadium] for Saturday," said Steve Trittschuh. "Hopefully the snow and water settles the pitch down for us."

In addition to the altitude, playing in front of their home support was a bonus not lost on the Switchbacks' players and an edge they look to capitalize on throughout the season. "It will be great to be back," said Captain Luke Vercollone. "I love playing at home in front of our crowd - we'll take care of results." When asked about the return to Switchbacks Stadium, Saeed Robinson was equally bullish: "I'm always very excited to play at home. We're trying to not lose any games at home this year."

A return game between the Switchbacks and San Antonio FC will take place on June 18th in the Texas heat at Toyota Field, but that game couldn't have been further from the mind of Shintaro Harada: "Don't think too far in front; just focus on our game," declared Harada. "We need to change the momentum from last weekend to get back on the right track. No matter what, we must get three points on Saturday."

The Switchbacks are preparing for a two game home-stand at Switchbacks Stadium on Saturday, April 23rd as they take on new USL side San Antonio FC for Family Day and then on Saturday, April 30th as they take on Real Monarchs SLC. Tickets are available at http://www.switchbacksfc.com or by calling 719-368-8480 x1. For media passes please contact Director of Marketing, Public Relations, and Events Tammy Crafts by email: tammy@switchbacksfc.com or by phone: 719-368-8480 x103.

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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.

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