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Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 2022 Season Preview

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 03/04/22, 5:00PM EST

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2022 Outlook

As Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC moved into its beautiful 8,000-seat downtown home at Weidner Field, the expectation was that a new era had arrived for a club that had landed in the Championship impressively in 2015 but had since tailed downward in the Western Conference. The arrival of Head Coach Brendan Burke and a sparkling attack led by 2021 USL Championship Most Valuable Player Hadji Barry delivered that transformation, sending the Switchbacks to the postseason for the first time since 2016 before regular packed houses at the new venue.

Barry’s 25 goals in the regular season equaled the Championship’s single-season record, and it would be a big ask for the Guinean forward to match that feat again this year. The good news for the 29-year-old – whose contract could run through the 2024 season – is he will have added support beyond the returning Michee Ngalina. Colorado Springs has added former Rio Grande Valley FC forward Elvis Amoh, and brought in Grenada international Kharlton Belmar, who formed a prolific partnership with Barry at Sporting Kansas City II a few years ago.

For the Switchbacks to take the next step toward contention, however, the side’s defensive play is the area that must improve. Colorado Springs conceded the most goals of any side to reach the postseason last year, in part because of average goalkeeping. The side has looked to rectify that with the signing of former Hartford Athletic goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell, while also adding Macauley King via transfer from El Paso Locomotive FC and German veteran Dennis Erdmann. If the balance of the side is right, the Switchbacks will have a chance to make a postseason run this campaign and establish themselves as one of the league’s powers.

Notable Arrivals

Jeff Caldwell, GoalKeeper – Experienced goalkeeper arrives after stellar season for Hartford Athletic in 2021

Elvis Amoh, Forward – Leading scorer for Rio Grande Valley FC a season ago adds to Switchbacks’ attack

Malik Johnson, Midfielder – Speedy Canadian winger should be strong fit for Colorado Springs’ system

Cam Lindley, Midfielder – Former San Antonio FC midfielder could play key role in center of midfield

Notable Departures

Deshane Beckford, Forward – Returned to Jamaica after loan spell, subsequently signed by San Antonio FC

Andre Lewis, Midfielder – Jamaican midfielder was transferred to Hartford Athletic

Jordan Burt, Defender – Club’s all-time appearance leader announced retirement after seven seasons

Jose Francisco Torres, Midfielder – Former U.S. international joined Rio Grande Valley FC as free agent

Two to Watch


Hadji Barry, Forward

After the most disappointing season of his professional career in 2020, Hadji Barry couldn’t have bounced back in a bigger way as he proved the marquee signing of the Switchbacks’ new era at downtown home Weidner Field. Tying the Championship’s single-season record with 25 goals, Barry earned both the Golden Boot and Most Valuable Player award and signed a new contract that could keep him in Colorado Springs through the 2024 season. Now the aim for the 29-year-old will be to maintain a high level of individual success in combination with a Switchbacks attack that possesses enough weapons to now become a serious contender for its first silverware in club history.

Jeff Caldwell, Goalkeeper

The Switchbacks’ attack was potent in 2021, but defensively the side conceded the most goals of any team in the Western Conference playoff field. Part of that was due to inconsistent goalkeeping, which produced a 67.1 overall save percentage, below league average. To try and address that, Colorado Springs signed Jeff Caldwell, who had a standout 2021 season at Hartford Athletic and could provide a solution. The former United States U-20 international posted a save percentage of 71.3 percent while ranking second in the league with 108 saves, and also set a Championship record with five penalty kick saves on the season. Colorado Springs would certainly take similar numbers as it looks to take the next step forward.

Coach


Brendan Burke (2nd Season)

Brendan Burke lived up to his reputation as one of the brightest young coaches in American soccer in his first season at the Switchbacks, producing a side that was must-see in terms of its attacking performance throughout the campaign. As he enters a second season at the club, the attack has been bolstered with new signings that should keep Colorado Springs among the highest scorers in the league. If Burke can find a balance between that attacking mentality and a solid defensive unit, it could be a very big season for the Massachusetts native in his own potential path.

Key Number



24Colorado Springs’ attack meant it was never out of a game in 2021, with the side’s 24 points gained from losing positions the most of any team in the Championship last campaign. That resilience could be a key to making an impact at the top of the Western Conference standings this season.

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Tag(s): Features  CO Spring Switchbacks  Malik Johnson  Hadji Barry  Cameron Lindley  Jeff Caldwell  Elvis Amoh 

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