COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC has reached the mountaintop.

Behind goals from Juan Tejada, Jairo Henriquez and Ronaldo Damus, the Switchbacks earned their first league title with a 3-0 victory against Rhode Island FC in the 2024 USL Championship Final before a sellout crowd of 8,023 fans at Weidner Field.

Tejada claimed Championship Final MVP honors after scoring the game-winning goal in his second consecutive postseason outing, highlighting an outstanding all-around display by Head Coach James Chambers’ side.

The victory capped the Switchbacks’ 10th anniversary season and maintained their perfect postseason record at home since the opening of Weidner Field in 2021, while ending Rhode Island’s aspiration of becoming the first team to win the Championship title in its inaugural season since Sacramento Republic FC in 2014.

Colorado Springs set the tempo from the off, and almost took the lead inside the opening minute when Henriquez shifted quickly through midfield and played an incisive through-ball to Yosuke Hanya that the Japanese winger latched onto, only to send his finish wide of the right post as Rhode Island’s Koke Vegas narrowed the angle.

That chance set the tone in the early going as Colorado Springs controlled more possession and looked the more threatening side, but in the 15th minute the visitors got their first good chance on goal when Zach Herivaux was brought down just outside the top-left edge of the penalty area. JJ Williams took aim, but his shot flashed over the crossbar.

Colorado Springs broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute, however, as a patient build-up through midfield set up Hanya for a one-on-one opportunity on the right side that saw him cut past his marker to the byline and deliver a perfect cross for Tejada to volley home from close range.

The Switchbacks built on their opening goal, limiting Rhode Island’s opportunities from set pieces and showing patience in possession as they consolidated their lead. The hosts were hit by a first-half injury to Delentz Pierre, who was substituted after sustaining a head injury late in the half, but moments later the hosts grabbed their second on a sublime finish by Henriquez, who after having an initial effort blocked at the top-left edge of the penalty area struck a sweet second effort that curled into the top-left corner of the net.

Colorado Springs continued to apply pressure as Rhode Island made halftime changes to attempt to change the direction of the contest. Henriquez almost scored a stunning finish from inside the center circle with Vegas off his line, only to sail the shot over the crossbar, but in the 53rd minute the Switchbacks had their third. Off a Rhode Island corner kick, a blocked shot came to Damus 20 yards inside his own half but without a defender ahead of him. The Haitian international surged up-field with two in pursuit but slotted his shot home into the bottom-left corner.

Rhode Island tried to find a way back into the game and were able to produce their first good spell of possession just past the hour mark. Frank Nodarse had a strong header to the bottom-right corner denied by a brilliant diving save by Switchbacks goalkeeper Christian Herrera, and the shot-stopper was called on again moments later as he punched away an effort by Jack Panayotou as he cut into the right side of the penalty area before Morris Duggan sent an awkward rebound chance wide.

The Switchbacks remained in control from there, and Damus almost capped the performance with his second goal of the game in stoppage time as Vegas made a sharp save on the Haitian’s effort to the bottom-left corner. The hosts closed out the game from there, however, sealing a comprehensive victory.

2024 USL Championship Final MVP

Juan Tejada, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – The Panamanian forward scored the opening goal of the game and had an outstanding all-around performance, tying for the team-high winning possession on six occasions.

Scoring Summary
COS – Juan Tejada (Yosuke Hanya) 22’
COS – Jairo Henriquez 42’
COS – Ronaldo Damus (Matt Real) 53’

Full Box Score