COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and Orange County SC sit just outside the USL Cup Playoffs places in the Western Conference, which makes their meeting on Saturday night at Weidner Field a must-win for both clubs as they try to chase down eighth-place OKC Energy FC. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. MT.
Matchcenter: Click Here | Tickets: Click Here | Broadcast: Comcast Local (COS)
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC news and notes
Current record: 9-12-8, 35pts
Colorado Springs remained in 10th place in the Western Conference following a 3-1 loss to the Swope Park Rangers in a weather-delayed contest last Saturday night at Weidner Field.
Three goals in just two minutes immediately after the teams returned to action following a lightning delay condemned the Switchbacks to defeat, with Pascal Eboussi scoring in stoppage time to get a consolation goal.
The defeat put the Switchbacks five points back of eighth-place OKC Energy FC in the conference standings with only three games remaining in the regular season.
The Switchbacks have fallen back in the playoff race thanks to a six-game winless streak, with the team's last victory coming on Aug. 8 on the road against Orange County.
Orange Country SC news and notes
Current record: 9-9-10, 37pts
Orange County played to a 0-0 draw with Real Monarchs SLC last Friday night in its last outing to remain in ninth place in the Western Conference.
A strong defensive performance helped Orange County to withstand regular pressure against the Monarchs, as the side recorded 22 tackles in the match to earn a point on the road.
Getting a draw in that match kept Orange County's hopes of a third consecutive trip to the USL Cup Playoffs alive, putting it just three points back of Energy FC in eighth place with a game in hand.
Orange County has lost only once in its last five games, going 2-2-1 over that span as it looks to pull level with Energy FC on Saturday night before OKC's contest on Sunday evening.
Series Notes
Squads
Colorado Springs – GK: Moise Pouaty, Dan Jackson, Justin Luthy; D: Josh Phillips, Pascal Eboussi, Josh Suggs, Davy Armstrong, Diego Gutierrez, Sean McFarlane, Conner Bevans, Shawn Chin, Jordan Burt; M: Luke Vercollone, Eddy Prugh, Damen Marcu, Rony Argueta, Jake Cawsey, Ricardo Perez; F: Masta Kacher, Kevaughn Frater, Aaron King, Shane Malcolm, Tobenna Uzo, A.J. Ajeakwa, Jack Jones
Orange County – GK: Charlie Lyon, Casey Beyers, Michael Suchy; D: Joe Franco, Alberto Navarro, Sola Abolaji, Juan Pablo Ocegueda, Roy Meeus, Jeannot Esua, Walker Hume; M: Victor Pineda, Richard Chaplow, Gustavo Villalobos, Carlos Alvarez, Jerry van Ewijk, Dusan Stevanovic, Amirgy Pineda, Kevin Jeon, Zachary Kobayashi, Frank Olijve, James Baxendale; F: Rodrigo Pacheco, Monday Etim, Duke Lacroix, Wuiilito Tavares Fernandes, Irvin Parra
Discipline
Colorado Springs – Accumulation warning: Rony Argueta, Josh Phillips
Orange County – Supended: Oscar Soto
Officials
REF: JACOB MEYER
AR1: Devin Wagner
AR2: Lauren Parliament
4TH: Miguel Urbina-Barrios
Game hashtag:
Twitter social handles
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – @SwitchbacksFC
Orange County SC – @OrangeCountySC