COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Four different players found the back of the net as Colorado Switchbacks FC delivered its best offensive performance of the season in a convincing 4-0 victory over Portland Timbers 2 at Weidner Field Saturday. The hosts were on the front foot from the opening whistle, totaling three shots inside the first 10 minutes. The initial breakthrough came in the 13th minute when Shane Malcolm collected a short pass from Sean McFarlane on the right wing and beat two T2 defenders before firing inside the far post for his second goal in the last two games. Just five minutes later, Josh Suggs widened the gap off a feed from veteran Luke Vercollone, blasting a left-footed shot past reigning USL Player of the Week Kendall McIntosh. Kevaughn Frater added to the advantage in the 34th minute, sending a rebound into a gaping net after an effort from Masta Kacher rang off the post. Kacher only had to wait until the 51st minute to get his name on the scoresheet however, burying a fourth for the Switchbacks following a layoff from Vercollone. Portland pulled one back late on an own goal by Conner Bevans but Colorado Springs (8-8-6, 30pts) cruised to a second-straight win and sent Timbers 2 to 2-16-3 overall (9pts).

Scoring: 
13’ – COS – Shane Malcolm (Sean McFarlane)
18’ – COS – Josh Suggs (Luke Vercollone)
34’ – COS – Kevaughn Frater
51’ – COS – Masta Kacher (Luke Vercollone)
89’ – POR – Own Goal (Conner Bevans)
 

• #COSvPOR: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Facing a lineup shakeup after losing leading scorer Jordan Burt to injury, the Switchbacks responded with their most complete offensive effort of the season. Colorado Springs peppered Kendall McIntosh’s goal throughout the match, finishing with 19 shots, the team’s highest total since Week 16. In just his fourth start of the season, Vercollone flashed the form that has made him one of the most accomplished players in the USL in recent years, facilitating through the middle and helping the hosts control the run of play. The Seton Hall alum’s assist on Suggs’ goal in the 18th minute was his first point of the season and made the challenge that much more difficult for a Portland team that is now winless in the 13 games in which the side has allowed two or more goals this season (0-12-1).
   
• 2. The four-goal showing continued a recent run that has seen Colorado Springs tally nine in the last three games after posting five in five matches prior to the stretch. Now looking to build off two consecutive victories at Weidner Field, the Switchbacks will look to carry that momentum on the road as Steve Trittschuh and company will play three of the next four away from home where the side has been held to one goal or less in six of 10 outings to this point in the year.
   
• 3. Not to be outshined by the offensive outburst, Switchbacks keeper Moise Pouaty turned in a standout effort as well. Though the young Cameroonian finished with a single blemish on his record, he replicated the type of effort that earned McIntosh Player of the Week honors, stopping a pair of penalties as part of a five-save performance. In the 37th minute, the left hand of Pouaty denied Villyan Bijev’s try from the spot. A handball in the box called on Josh Phillips just before the death gave T2 midfielder Omar Mohamed a chance from the spot but Pouaty was up to the task again, this time saving to his right. Pouaty has now finished with five or more saves seven times this season.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Luke Vercollone, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – Back in the starting lineup after serving in a reserve role for most of the campaign, the veteran notched two assists to spur the Switchbacks to victory

Upcoming Games:
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Orange County SC – August 8, 9 p.m. ET, Orange County Great Park
Portland Timbers 2 vs. Sacramento Republic FC – August 13, 5 p.m. ET, Providence Park