May 5, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC News Release
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO – The Colorado Springs Switchbacks fell to El Paso Locomotive FC tonight as the teams faced off in a Friday night look. Despite a late game penalty kick, COS was unable to get the final equalizer, ending the match 3-2.
El Paso Locomotive took the early lead in the 10th minute as a quick pass from #27 Petrovic found #19 Solignac right in front of the goal inside the 8 yard box. Only two minutes later Petrovic would find the net for himself and double El Paso’s lead.
Despite the two goal lead, the two teams looked balanced in the first half, with El Paso earning nine shots and COS eight, and the two teams locked at possession 47% to 52%. Momentum looked like it was starting to shift towards the end of the first half, and Switchbacks goalkeeper #1 Christian Herrera had two great saves in the 20th and 30th minutes to keep the match alive.
The second half started fast, with both teams looking to increase their numbers on the scoreboard, and the Switchbacks notched three more shots in the first ten minutes of play, as well as holding 51% of the possession to El Paso Locomotive’s third in the first fifteen minutes of play. The pressure paid off, and in the 61st minute #15 Jimmy Ockford earned his first ever goal as a Switchback player, nodding in the ball off a beautiful corner kick from #17 Jairo Henriquez. El Paso would retaliate thirteen minutes later with #21 Sonupe to get El Paso’s third goal of the evening.
The Switchbacks weren’t giving up though, and it seemed like they might have another chance as El Paso Captain Yuma drew a foul that earned a penalty kick for the Switchbacks. #9 Romario Williams took the penalty, and earned a classic goal as he found the bottom right corner of the net. Despite the late push effort by the guys in black and blue, and ten shots on goal in the second half, the score wouldn’t change again and the final whistle would blow with the scoreboard at 3-2.
The Colorado Springs Switchbacks spend the rest of May on the road as they take on Memphis 901 FC, Loudon United, and Tampa Bay Rowdies. They’ll return home to Weidner Field on June 2nd for one of our most popular matches: Galactic Night, as they take on Oakland Roots SC. For tickets to that match, and all others, head HERE.
Head Coach Stephen Hogan:
Overall Thoughts:
“I think the first half we didn’t come out the way we wanted, after awhile I think the…