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USL1 Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC

The Forecast: Hailstorm Head to Colorado Springs in Search of Another Cup Upset

April 4, 2023 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC News Release


WINDSOR, Colo. - For the second straight season, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC makes the drive down I-25 to take on Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Last season's match against the in-state rivals from the USL Championship saw a 10-man Hailstorm FC team come away with a 1-0 win, the first in club history, after extra time thanks to a 96th minute goal from winger Jerry Desdunes.

Six of the starters from the game last year are no longer with Northern Colorado, but there were such familiar faces as forward Irvin Parra and defender Arthur Rogers in the lineup.

"We don't know the team yet but I'm delighted to be available for it this year," said Hailstorm FC captain Rob Cornwall, who missed last season's game in Colorado Springs.

The Switchbacks are currently tied for third in the Western Conference of the USL Championship, with a 2-1-1 record in their first four games under new head coach Stephen Hogan.

"They're managed by Stephen Hogan, who I know well, I'm familiar with the rest of their coaches. I know they're going to get them prepared and they're going to want to come out and make sure they don't get upset again," Hailstorm FC head coach Éamon Zayed said.

"They have a lot of Irish coaches so they have a lot of heart in the team," Cornwall, a native of Dublin, said.

Colorado Springs are without their top two scorers from 2022 as forwards Hadji Berry and Michee Ngalina have signed with clubs in Egypt and Turkey, respectively. Their key man in attack this season is forward Deshane Beckford, who has assisted on three of the Switchbacks' four goals in 2023.

Another key difference from last season's matchup, which was the first game in Hailstorm FC history, is that Northern Colorado has a pair of league games under their belt before facing the Switchbacks, with a scoreless draw against Chattanooga and a 3-0 win over defending USL League One champions South Georgia Tormenta FC.

"Our team shape was excellent against Tormenta. We obviously kept the clean sheet," Zayed said. "If we're going to win the game on Wednesday, we're going to need the same efforts, determination, and hunger."

The game against the Switchbacks kicks off at 7 p.m. Mountain time Wednesday at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs. -

The future home of Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC, 118-acre Future Legends Complex, will feature 6,500-seat TicketSmarter Stadium, 2,500-seat Future Legends Field, multiple baseball diamonds, multi-purpose fields, an indoor sports arena, lodging, and retail; and will host guests for major sports leagues, tournaments, events and more.

More information is available at HailstormFC.com and FutureLegendsComplex.com.

Check out the Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC Statistics



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