TULSA, Okla. – The USL Championship’s breakout club plays host to the defending title holder when No. 1 seed FC Tulsa welcomes No. 8 seed Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2025 USL Championship Playoffs presented by Terminix on Saturday night as the Scissortails host a playoff game for the first time in club history. Kickoff at ONEOK Field is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Here’s what you need to know.

How They Got Here

FC Tulsa (16-5-9, 57pts) – Having taken positive steps forward in the 2024 season, FC Tulsa broke through this year for its first playoff appearance since 2021 as it set club records for wins and points while suffering the fewest defeats in a full season in club history. Led by first-year Head Coach Luke Spencer, the Scissortails pulled away from the Western Conference field during a 14-game undefeated streak (8-0-6) that straddled the midway point of the season before closing out with three wins in its final four games to seal the No. 1 seed. The side was led by newcomer Taylor Calheira, who set a club single-season record with 15 goals after being acquired via a transfer from New York City FC II last offseason, but there were numerous contributors to Tulsa’s success as the side logged a 19-point improvement while allowing only 30 goals in the regular season.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (10-13-7, 37pts) – The Switchbacks earned a fifth consecutive trip to the postseason – and the chance to defend the title they won at Weidner Field last November – but the club’s inconsistency saw it earn a playoff place on the final day of the season despite defeat in Tulsa to close the campaign. The Switchbacks recorded multiple consecutive wins only twice in the regular season, with a run of five wins in seven games ultimately proving key midway through the campaign as the team had difficulty in finding the net consistently. The Switchbacks scored only 35 goals in the regular season with midfielder Marco Micaletto leading the way with six tallies, and conceded 47 times as four different goalkeepers saw action in the regular season, led by Christian Herrera’s 20 appearances.

All-Time Series

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC holds a 10-6-1 advantage in the series across the regular season and playoffs, with Tulsa’s 3-0 victory when the sides met in the final game of the regular season its first win in the series since October, 2020, breaking a five-game undefeated run for the Switchbacks.

Opta Says

16 – FC Tulsa recorded 16 goals in the final 15 minutes and stoppage time of games this season, the most in the USL Championship, while earning 21 points from losing positions to tie for the league lead.

40.5 – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC posted a 40.5 percent shooting accuracy rate during the regular season, the lowest mark in the league.

Players to Watch

FC Tulsa – Taylor Calheira: The 23-year-old set a club record with 15 goals in the regular season as his all-around game helped power the club’s attack. Calheira also led the Scissortails with 35 chances created and led the league with a +11.12 Goals Added mark.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – Yosuke Hanya: The Japanese winger recorded one goal and three assists in the regular season but ranked second on the team with a +4.57 goals added mark, and his ability to take on opponents one-on-one could be key if Colorado Springs is to find an attacking spark.

Uniforms

Discipline Report

FC Tulsa – No suspensions

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – No suspensions

Officials
REF: Matthew Corrigan
AR1: Bennett Savage
AR2: Zeno Cho
4TH: Benjamin Meyer