COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Zach Zandi scored a pair of goals, including an extra time winner, as Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC took a 2-1 victory against Orange County SC before a crowd of 7,236 fans at Weidner Field to advance in the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2024 USL Championship Playoffs presented by Terminix.

The Switchbacks will play host to Las Vegas Lights FC next Saturday night at Weidner Field in the Western Conference Final as each club seeks its first silverware in club history and a place in the 2024 USL Championship Final on November 23.

Orange County grabbed a fourth-minute lead as Ethan Zubak’s decision to press on an attempted back-pass paid off as he won a 50-50 challenge with Switchbacks goalkeeper Christian Herrera, allowing him to finish into an empty net. The Switchbacks hit back six minutes later, however, as Speedy Williams set up a first-time shot by Zandi from the top of the penalty area that picked out the bottom-right corner of the net.

After the early flurry, each side had chances to take the lead before the halftime break. Orange County’s Cameron Dunbar forced a solid save from Herrera midway through the half, while the Switchbacks’ Ronaldo Damus was denied on a turning shot from close to the penalty spot by a good reflex stop by OCSC’s Colin Shutler as he shot toward the bottom-left corner.

The visitors went close again in first-half stoppage time as Dillon Powers lifted a finish just over the crossbar after cross from the right following a corner kick fell kindly in the penalty area, and the game retained its tempo after the break as the Switchbacks’ Quenzi Huerman shot just wide of the right post after a good passing move created space for the halftime substitute.

Orange County continued to push to regain the lead, however, as both Cameron Dunbar and Markus Nakkim forced good saves from Herrera to keep the game level. Huerman, meanwhile, almost grabbed a late goal for the Switchbacks with a curling shot from the top-left edge of the penalty area that flashed just wide of the top-right corner.

As the game entered extra time, Huerman threatened again with a powerfully-struck shot that Herrera turned over the crossbar, but in the first minute of stoppage time in the first period of extra time, Zandi struck again, redirecting home a low shot by Cole Mrowka at the top of the six-yard area into the left side of the net.

The visitors tried to fight back in the second period of extra time, and former Switchbacks forward Thomas Amang almost delivered an equalizer in the 115th minute as he created space with his first touch for a shot inside the right side of the penalty area that was parried wide by Herrera. Colorado Springs held on from there, however, to advance to its second Western Conference Final in the past three postseasons.

Three Things That Mattered

1. ZACH ZANDI, HAVE A NIGHT: This had already been an outstanding bounce-back season for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC midfielder Zach Zandi after being limited to only 256 minutes of action a season ago, but Sunday night’s two-goal performance took it to another level as he not only bagged his first brace in the USL Championship for his career, but did so in his side’s biggest game of the season so far. Zandi has now recorded a career-best 10 goal contributions overall (6 goals, 4 assists) across the regular season and playoffs, and putting that alongside his tight passing game helped power the Switchbacks as they recovered from an early deficit against Orange County.

2. FORTRESS MAINTAINED: Sitting approximately 6,000 feet above sea level, Colorado Springs’ Weidner Field has become a major homefield advantage since it opened in 2021, and when a game goes to extra time it will always wear on opposing sides. That looked to be the case in the first period of extra time, where the Switchbacks controlled the majority of play and territory, which eventually resulted in Zandi’s game-winning goal. Colorado Springs has now won both of its home playoff games that have gone to extra time and is perfect with four wins out of four at the venue over the past four postseasons. With Las Vegas Lights FC set to visit next Saturday, that could prove a key in favor of the hosts as they bid for a first trip to the USL Championship Final.

3. ORANGE COUNTY CAN’T CONNECT: Orange County SC’s Ethan Zubak scored the earliest goal in the club’s postseason history in just the fourth minute, taking advantage of an uncharacteristic defensive miscue from the hosts, but after a strong first half the chances seemed to dry up for the visitors over the remaining 75 minutes. This was particularly the case in trying to find deliveries from the flanks, where OCSC recorded only three successful crosses out of 22 overall in open and set plays. The club’s late-season run was impressive, but this contest proved one game too far against an opponent that earned its result on the night.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Game

Zach Zandi, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – Zandi scored a pair of well-taken goals and was dynamic in midfield before being substituted in the 109th minute, completing 37 of 39 passes and winning one tackle and 4 of 7 duels to help his side to victory.

Scoring Summary
OC – Ethan Zubak 4’
COS – Zach Zandi (Speedy Williams) 10’
COS – Zach Zandi (Cole Mrowka) 105+1’

Full Box Score