Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC jumped out quickly on the way to a 3-1 victory against Memphis 901 FC on Wednesday night at Weidner Field as Jonas Fjeldberg scored a pair of goals before Ronaldo Damus put the game away from the penalty spot late on.

Here are six things we took away from the contest and how it could shape the playoff race in the Western Conference moving forward.

1. Fjeldberg has started in less than half his appearances for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC since arriving midway through last season, but the bright start he gave the side with his first two-goal game in its colors gave them the spark they needed and suggested a longer run of starts. The 25-year-old provided a late season spark to help Rio Grande Valley FC reach the postseason in 2021 and 2022, and with Maalique Foster’s departure it could mean more opportunities for the Norwegian winger.

2. This was a tricky turnaround for Memphis 901 FC after its trip to Oakland on the weekend and going down two goals inside six minutes was the sort of disaster that no road team needs. It was also pretty uncharacteristic for 901 FC this season. Prior to Wednesday night, the side had conceded only three goals in the opening 15 minutes of games this campaign.

3. Matt Mahoney has been one of Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC’s most consistent players this season – ranking in the Top 10 among center backs in American Soccer Analysis’ Goals Added metric – but the past couple of games haven’t gone well for the veteran. From last Saturday’s turnover that led to New Mexico United’s game-winner to his own goal on Wednesday, he’ll want to bounce back on Sunday in Tulsa.

4. Mahoney’s own goal continued Memphis’ scoring streak to five games on a night when the side didn’t officially record a shot on target of its own. That was the first time 901 FC hadn’t registered a shot on target in more than five years, with the last occasion coming on August 25, 2019 against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

5. After three games without a win, Colorado Springs needed this victory to reset the ship, and Head Coach James Chambers was pleased with the energy his side showed to open the game. “I thought for 30 minutes we were exceptional, thought we were really good, very aggressive in and out of possession, which is what we wanted.”

6. In the bigger picture, it was also a big result for Colorado Springs and its chances of taking a top-four position in the Western Conference at the end of the season. The Switchbacks are in fifth place in the standings, but the gap to Memphis is now four points with Colorado Springs having two games in hand. This Sunday’s contest in Tulsa is going to be another big game in what’s looking like a really good race between third and sixth place.