COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC swept to a 3-0 victory against Rhode Island FC on Saturday before a sellout crowd of 8,023 at Weidner Field in the 2024 USL Championship Final, earning the club its first league title as goals by Juan Tejada, Jairo Henriquez and Ronaldo Damus led the hosts to victory.

The victory was the fifth in a row for a Western Conference club in the Championship Final, and ended Rhode Island’s dream of capping its inaugural season with the league title.

Here are three things we took away from the game.

1. SWITCHBACKS SET THE TONE: Colorado Springs Switchbacks’ Weidner Field has been one of the most difficult places for opponents to earn results this season, and the sharp opening start the hosts made in their first Championship Final set the tone for what was to come. The Switchbacks were sharper in possession and shifted play quickly to set up opportunities. Yosuke Hanya could have put his side ahead after just 36 seconds after Jairo Henriquez’s incisive through-ball set him up for a one-on-one opportunity, and while he wasn’t able to capitalize on that chance, the Japanese winger’s quick move to create space and deliver a cross that set up Juan Tejada’s second goal in as many postseason games was brilliant, and summed up Colorado Springs’ first half as a whole.

2. HENRIQUEZ BROUGHT THE FLAIR: The Switchbacks’ run to a first league title in the club’s 10th anniversary season had numerous heroes, including in Saturday’s Final, but no-one quite did it with the flair and imagination that Jairo Henriquez once again brought to the field. From his brilliant first-half finish that left Rhode Island goalkeeper Koke Vegas completely flat-footed to his audacious attempt from inside the center circle that would have found the net had it been on target, you couldn’t take your eyes off the El Salvador international. When his day came to an end in the 66th minute, he’d recorded a game-high four shots, created a glorious early chance, and applied pressure on the defensive side in an all-around wondrous display.

3. RHODE ISLAND DIDN’T CLICK INTO GEAR: Throughout the postseason, Rhode Island had found an impressive attacking rhythm that carried it through some of the toughest environments in the Eastern Conference. On Saturday, those connections were lacking as the visitors were unable to create enough threatening chances before it was too late. In the first half, JJ Williams’ free kick in the 15th minute was the last shot RIFC attempted, and when the Switchbacks created spaces with clever movement and sharp passing in the final third, the visitors were left undone. The mental breakdown that led to Ronaldo Damus’ goal early in the second half to put the game away summed up the day for Rhode Island, which saw its title dream end in disappointing fashion.