Know Your Opponent – Western Conference Semifinals: Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
October 25, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Sacramento Republic FC News Release
After a stellar victory over New Mexico United, Republic FC will now head to the Rockies to play for a spot in the Conference Final. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC is the club’s next postseason foe, fresh off a home win of their own. Get to know Sacramento’s second round opponent ahead of the Western Conference Semifinal.
Colorado’s Recent Form
The hosts will enter this match having won two of their last three matches, including a 4-1 win in enemy territory against an El Paso Locomotive side playing for their playoff lives. They fell in the regular season finale to New Mexico – their only defeat since September 24.
Against Rio Grande Valley FC in the first round, the club kept their composure through a difficult contest. Colorado Springs’ Aaron Wheeler took over late and put in a late hat-trick to send the club through after 85 minutes scoreless.
How They Got Here
Switchbacks FC rode through the season on the back of a dangerous attacking unit with talent matching production at every position. Michee Ngalina and Elvis Amoh finished the campaign with a combined 25 scores between them, and ranked among the league leaders in scoring even ahead of Hadji Barry’s October 3 transfer. Supported by the USL Championship’s lead chance creator in Cameron Lindley, who finished the campaign with 97 – tied for the fifth most in a season all-time – the club wasn’t shut out once from the start of the season through June 18.
Strong defensive work quietly provided a jolt in the second half. From August 20 onward, the club has conceded the second-fewest goals in the league to San Antonio FC, reversing a tough defensive stretch that plagued them earlier in the summer.
SACvCOS This Season
Two matchups between Sacramento and Colorado were played on the season. Each side claimed victory on their home ground, with Colorado Springs besting the Quails 3-0 on July 1 and Sacramento returning the favor with a 3-0 win of their own August 17. Complete performances by the winning side were the story of each contest – Sacramento was near perfect in the latter match, while the same seemed true for Colorado Springs in the first meeting.
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