Switchbacks FC Secure Three Points Against El Paso Locomotive

May 4, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC News Release

Colorado Springs FC’s Ronaldo Damus congratulates Koa Santos
(Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, Credit: Isaiah Downing)

Colorado Springs, CO – The Colorado Springs Switchbacks secured their points tonight against El Paso Locomotive ending with a final score of 2-0.

With a packed house at Weidner Field, the Switchbacks brought their A game against El Paso Locomotive. In the 21′, #2 Koa Santos ran up the right farside on the pitch in the attacking zone, crossing the ball to #9 Ronaldo Damus. Damus had a quick touch on the ball and then rocketed the ball into the back of the net, giving the Switchbacks their first goal of the night.

In the 30′, #99 Maalique Foster had a quick breakaway running past multiple El Paso Locomotive defenders, then he went in for the strike but hit it perfectly on the right goal post, keeping the score at 1-0. Throughout the first half, the boys in black and blue brought the heat with three shots on target and held 53.9% of the possession.

Throughout the second half, the boys held strong by having two shots on target, four tackles won, and four interceptions. In the 88′, a penalty was conceded by El Paso player Eric Calvillo and was won by Switchbacks player #20 Yosuke Hanya. Due to this penalty happening in the 18, the Switchbacks were awarded a penalty kick. Damus calmly took the position and struck the ball toward the left of the net, while El Paso’s goalkeeper leaped to the right. With Damus getting the second goal of the night, it had secured the Switchbacks’ second win of the 2024 season.

The Switchbacks have a double match this upcoming week. The team heads to New York to play in the Open Cup on Wednesday, May 8th with kickoff at 5:30 pm MT. Then the Switchbacks head to Connecticut to play Hartford Athletic on Saturday, May 11th at 5:00 pm MT. Mark your calendars for May 17th as the Switchbacks return to Weidner Field to battle Rhode Island FC for Armed Forces night! For tickets to that match, and all others, head HERE.

Post Match Quotes:

James Chambers

Overall thoughts

“I think in the first half I thought we were very good with possession and we thought we pressed well. We dropped off a little bit towards the last five to seven minutes of the first half. We came out in the second half and they (El Paso) had the ball more than we would have liked. But I think the boys did so well, especially out one nil to keep the clean sheet, so really…