by Roland Vargish
Switchbacks FC Colorado Springs’ first ever USL Pro League soccer match will be contested on Saturday, October 18th between Arizona United SC and Los Angeles Galaxy II. Played at the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC’s newly-renovated Sand Creek Stadium, the game will see two teams that the Switchbacks will face next year in their inaugural season in the USL Pro League. Starting at 6pm, the match will give fans a unique opportunity to view USL Pro soccer in October, as the league’s regular season begins in late March and lasts through September. With cooler temperatures and the uniquely Colorado and fabulously bright fall-colored leaves in full splendor, Arizona and L.A. II will provide the ideal opening fixture for a stadium which, come next spring, will see the Switchbacks begin their campaign in Colorado’s second city. Arizona United SC finished 9th in their first season in the USL Pro League after the team took over from the now-defunct Phoenix FC. Playing home matches at the Peoria Sports Complex, Arizona United secured the first win in their franchise’s history when they defeated this seasons USL Pro League champions Sacramento Republic FC 2-1 on April 19th. Arizona United SC, despite being one of the newest members of the USL Pro League, are loyally followed and raucously cheered on by their supporters’ group – The Red Fury 1881. Possessing their own section of the Peoria Sports Complex stadium, The Red Fury 1881 – named in part after the year of Phoenix’s incorporation as a city, are one of the most enviable fan associations in all of the USL Pro League, and provide great support to their beloved United SC both at home and on the road. Chinese youth international trainee Long Tan is perhaps Arizona United SC’s most well known player, with the Dalian native being named last week to the USL Pro All-League Second Team. Tan lead United SC in shots during the 2014 season, and he tied with fellow striker Jonathan Top with 5 goals. L.A. Galaxy II, the reserve team for Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy, finished the USL Pro League regular season in third place before eventually losing in heartbreaking fashion to eventual champions Sacramento Republic FC in the semifinals of the playoffs. Leading 2-0 after the first half, Galaxy II were unable to stop a spirited comeback from Sacramento, despite the standout play throughout of highly-rated Galaxy II striker Charlie Rugg who scored both goals for the Southern California team. Los Angeles are well represented in the USL Pro All-League Teams, with forward Chandler Hoffman being named to the First Team. Defender Daniel Steres, and Senegalese-born midfielder Andre Auras, who has represented France on youth international level, were both awarded for their excellent seasons with places on the All-League Second Team. 17-year-old American youth international Bradford Jamieson IV, a Los Angeles native and L.A. Galaxy Homegrown Player, is one of the highest rated youngsters in the American soccer system. Equally adept as the lone striker, or in support of the forward line, he has appeared for the MLS’ Galaxy, where during his first ever appearance he assisted a Robbie Keane goal. During Galaxy II’s loss to Sacramento Republic FC in the semifinal, Jamieson IV was again on the assist sheet, as the speedy forward set up his teams’ second goal with a perfect pass to Charlie Rugg who dutifully finished the chance. Arizona United SC and L.A. Galaxy II faced each other four times during the 2014 USL Pro League regular season, with each meeting netting goals. After the first two meetings both finished in 1-1 ties at the Peoria Sports Complex, Galaxy II were able to defeat United SC by 4-2 in Los Angeles on the 4th of July. This game was followed by a 3-2 win for Galaxy II on August 9th, again at the StubHub Center in Southern California – with Rugg, Jamieson IV, and Auras all scoring for Galaxy II, while Long Tan netted for United SC. As all their games during the 2014 season showed, when Arizona United SC and L.A. Galaxy II face-off, goals are guaranteed. The scene at Sand Creek Stadium for the Colorado Springs Pro Soccer Kickoff will no doubt be something to savor, as long-starved soccer fans will be out in force for the first ever USL Pro match to be played in the shadow of Pikes Peak. And with both United SC and Galaxy II scheduled to face the Switchbacks FC next season, the match offers fans a unique opportunity to both experience the new home of the Switchbacks, and scout two teams who will be facing-off against one of the USL Pro League’s newest members.
