COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC announced this week the club had signed defender Koa Santos and midfielder Aidan Rocha ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. The transactions are pending league and federation approval.

Both players spent the past USL Championship campaign with Loudoun United FC, where Santos recorded two assists, 30 key passes, 31 clearances, 37 tackles, and 27 interceptions in 25 appearances for the side. The 24-year-old had previously begun his professional career with Charlotte FC of Major League Soccer, which signed him after his college career at San Diego State University in 2022.

“Incredibly excited for this new chapter in Colorado. The combination of the successful track record, as well as Coach [Stephen] Hogan’s ambitious plans for the club made this an easy decision for me,” said Santos. “Looking forward to building something special and playing in front of the best fans in the league. See you at Weidner in 2024.”

Rocha, meanwhile, recorded two assists,15 key passes, 41 clearances, and a passing accuracy rate of 82.7 percent for Loudoun in the past season. The 22-year-old had been selected with the 60th overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by D.C. United before signing with Loudoun to begin his professional career after competing at Georgetown University collegiately.

“I am extremely excited to be joining the club and grateful for such an opportunity to grow on and off the pitch in such an environment," said Rocha. “I can't wait to meet all the players and staff, and further getting to work on bringing the fans a successful season in 2024. Let’s go.”

Analysis

Colorado Springs’ addition of Koa Santos and Aidan Rocha are both interesting, bringing aboard two players whose individual play provided a bright spot for a Loudoun United side that struggled for consistency in the second half of the season. Both brought positives for Loudoun – Santos graded sixth for the side in Goals Added at +3.61 per American Soccer Analysis, while Rocha was eight at +3.29 – and each seem to fit the manner in which the Switchbacks aim to play.

Add in the age of both players and the Switchbacks have a duo that still has the potential to find a higher level as they join a side with a bigger spotlight and expectations moving into the new campaign.