Match Preview

Six months removed from a heartbreaking playoff loss, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC begin their 2017 USL Regular Season campaign this Saturday in Tulsa, Oklahoma against the Roughnecks FC at ONEOK Field.  

An undefeated preseason saw the Switchbacks play multiple times across the state of Colorado as unseasonably high temperatures aided in preparing Head Coach Steve Trittschuh’s squad for the physically demanding conditions in Tulsa.  

“We saw their [Tulsa Roughnecks FC] game against Saint Louis and we’re working on how to take care of their forward players and be physically ready for that test,” said Trittschuh.  “Tulsa are a brand new team with a new coach and they’ve brought in some good players that can play at this level.  Tulsa are a strong team and it’s a big step up for our group.”  

Tulsa’s preseason match against Saint Louis FC on Saturday ended in an impressive 3-0 victory for the Roughnecks FC, as Argentine attacking midfielder Juan Pablo Caffa’s performance caught the eye.  “Caffa is a really good player,” said Trittschuh.  “He is part of a really dangerous attack with [Ian] Svantesson.  Defensively we’re going to have to show up against those two and the rest of Tulsa because they can hurt any team.”

An interesting subplot to Saturday’s match will be the strength and toughness that the Roughnecks’ forward line will bring to ONEOK Field and how that’s countered by the speed and guile of the Switchbacks’ new-look attack.  

The aforementioned Svantesson, a collegiate standout with the University of Alabama, Birmingham Blazers, stands 6’6” and will lead the Roughnecks’ line in front of the creative Caffa.  With La Liga experience on his resume from his time at Real Betis, Caffa brings a wealth of experience to the Roughnecks along with a keen eye for goal.  

“I watched the Tulsa game against Saint Louis and Tulsa are a big, strong team,” said center back Josh Phillips.  “It’s really going to be a physical battle for me and the rest of the team on Saturday.  This league is ultra-competitive and every away game is a battle so we know it’s time we show up and play our best now.”

Colorado soccer fans will see a familiar face among the Roughnecks’ ranks on Saturday as former Colorado Rapids defender Kosuke Kimura will lead the Tulsa defense.   

Another MLS veteran, goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, will likely transition into assuming a coaching and mentorship role for the Roughnecks, as Bryan Byars is odds-on to get the start on Saturday against the Switchbacks.  

“I’m really excited to get the season underway,” said left back Josh Suggs.  “I still think it’s going to take some time before we see our best game, but we’re practicing well.  Tulsa are a much better team than last year – they’ve brought in good players and we’re ready to see them up close and get a good result.”

“Saturday’s going to be a great early test,” added midfielder Davy Armstrong.  “We are all excited to see how far we’ve come together during the preseason.  We’re ready and playing well and I know there’s a lot of excitement with all the new players we have on the team.”

Tulsa endured a painful 2016 season as they finished last in the Western Conference – 15 points adrift of Saint Louis FC.  The Switchbacks and Roughnecks met only once in 2016:  a 1-0 victory by the Switchbacks at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs.  

“We don’t even think about what happened last year,” interrupted Josh Phillips when asked about Tulsa’s struggles in 2016.  “We’re looking forward to this weekend and getting this season started.  There are a lot of new players around the league and with Tulsa’s team.  I know we are all excited to show what we can do there on Saturday.”

This season will see Saturday’s opponent’s match up three times, as the Switchbacks will welcome the Roughnecks to Colorado Springs on May 5th before finishing the 2017 regular season at ONEOK Field on October 14th.  

Switchbacks fans got a good look at their new signings during the preseason as Weidner Field hosted back-to-back preseason games with the visits of the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs Mountain Lions and Harpo’s FC.  Newcomers Masta Kacher, Kevaughn Frater, Jack Jones and Shane Malcolm all caught the eye and scored goals in their attacking roles.  

Veteran Switchbacks striker Aaron King started his third season in Colorado Springs with three goals in his first four preseason appearances, as fellow squad-returnee Rony Argueta took over the captain’s armband for 2017.  

“At the end of the day this is a team game and we all rely on the guys next to us,” said Davy Armstrong when asked about integrating all the new members into the 2017 squad.  “We’re glad we had such a good preseason because it brings cohesiveness to know the players and it makes it a lot more fun when we get out there and play.  I’m sure all the time we’ve put in will help us a lot with a tough start to the season.”

The Switchbacks will open Weidner Field for regular season play on April 1st for the visit of the Oklahoma City Energy FC.  The Tulsa Roughnecks won’t leave ONEOK Field until an April 22nd matchup with the Rio Grande Valley Toros FC.  

With a narrow field awaiting in Tulsa – the Roughnecks share ONEOK Field with the Tulsa Drillers of baseball’s AA Texas League – and a physically imposing Roughnecks lineup, the Switchbacks know that a physical test is in store on Saturday.  

“We’ve got to get on top early and be aggressive and disciplined in our game,” said Trittschuh.  “It’s still going to take us time to find our game as we get into the season, but as long as we’re good defensively I know the team can score goals – we’ve shown that all preseason.  It’s time now to stay focused and make sure we go into Tulsa and play our game.”

 

Six months removed from a heartbreaking playoff loss, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC begin their 2017 USL Regular Season campaign this Saturday in Tulsa, Oklahoma against the Roughnecks FC at ONEOK Field.  

An undefeated preseason saw the Switchbacks play multiple times across the state of Colorado as unseasonably high temperatures aided in preparing Head Coach Steve Trittschuh’s squad for the physically demanding conditions in Tulsa.  

“We saw their [Tulsa Roughnecks FC] game against Saint Louis and we’re working on how to take care of their forward players and be physically ready for that test,” said Trittschuh.  “Tulsa are a brand new team with a new coach and they’ve brought in some good players that can play at this level.  Tulsa are a strong team and it’s a big step up for our group.”  

Tulsa’s preseason match against Saint Louis FC on Saturday ended in an impressive 3-0 victory for the Roughnecks FC, as Argentine attacking midfielder Juan Pablo Caffa’s performance caught the eye.  “Caffa is a really good player,” said Trittschuh.  “He is part of a really dangerous attack with [Ian] Svantesson.  Defensively we’re going to have to show up against those two and the rest of Tulsa because they can hurt any team.”

An interesting subplot to Saturday’s match will be the strength and toughness that the Roughnecks’ forward line will bring to ONEOK Field and how that’s countered by the speed and guile of the Switchbacks’ new-look attack.  

The aforementioned Svantesson, a collegiate standout with the University of Alabama, Birmingham Blazers, stands 6’6” and will lead the Roughnecks’ line in front of the creative Caffa.  With La Liga experience on his resume from his time at Real Betis, Caffa brings a wealth of experience to the Roughnecks along with a keen eye for goal.  

“I watched the Tulsa game against Saint Louis and Tulsa are a big, strong team,” said center back Josh Phillips.  “It’s really going to be a physical battle for me and the rest of the team on Saturday.  This league is ultra-competitive and every away game is a battle so we know it’s time we show up and play our best now.”

Colorado soccer fans will see a familiar face among the Roughnecks’ ranks on Saturday as former Colorado Rapids defender Kosuke Kimura will lead the Tulsa defense.   

Another MLS veteran, goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, will likely transition into assuming a coaching and mentorship role for the Roughnecks, as Bryan Byars is odds-on to get the start on Saturday against the Switchbacks.  

“I’m really excited to get the season underway,” said left back Josh Suggs.  “I still think it’s going to take some time before we see our best game, but we’re practicing well.  Tulsa are a much better team than last year – they’ve brought in good players and we’re ready to see them up close and get a good result.”

“Saturday’s going to be a great early test,” added midfielder Davy Armstrong.  “We are all excited to see how far we’ve come together during the preseason.  We’re ready and playing well and I know there’s a lot of excitement with all the new players we have on the team.”

Tulsa endured a painful 2016 season as they finished last in the Western Conference – 15 points adrift of Saint Louis FC.  The Switchbacks and Roughnecks met only once in 2016:  a 1-0 victory by the Switchbacks at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs.  

“We don’t even think about what happened last year,” interrupted Josh Phillips when asked about Tulsa’s struggles in 2016.  “We’re looking forward to this weekend and getting this season started.  There are a lot of new players around the league and with Tulsa’s team.  I know we are all excited to show what we can do there on Saturday.”

This season will see Saturday’s opponent’s match up three times, as the Switchbacks will welcome the Roughnecks to Colorado Springs on May 5th before finishing the 2017 regular season at ONEOK Field on October 14th.  

Switchbacks fans got a good look at their new signings during the preseason as Weidner Field hosted back-to-back preseason games with the visits of the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs Mountain Lions and Harpo’s FC.  Newcomers Masta Kacher, Kevaughn Frater, Jack Jones and Shane Malcolm all caught the eye and scored goals in their attacking roles.  

Veteran Switchbacks striker Aaron King started his third season in Colorado Springs with three goals in his first four preseason appearances, as fellow squad-returnee Rony Argueta took over the captain’s armband for 2017.  

“At the end of the day this is a team game and we all rely on the guys next to us,” said Davy Armstrong when asked about integrating all the new members into the 2017 squad.  “We’re glad we had such a good preseason because it brings cohesiveness to know the players and it makes it a lot more fun when we get out there and play.  I’m sure all the time we’ve put in will help us a lot with a tough start to the season.”

The Switchbacks will open Weidner Field for regular season play on April 1st for the visit of the Oklahoma City Energy FC.  The Tulsa Roughnecks won’t leave ONEOK Field until an April 22nd matchup with the Rio Grande Valley Toros FC.  

With a narrow field awaiting in Tulsa – the Roughnecks share ONEOK Field with the Tulsa Drillers of baseball’s AA Texas League – and a physically imposing Roughnecks lineup, the Switchbacks know that a physical test is in store on Saturday.  

“We’ve got to get on top early and be aggressive and disciplined in our game,” said Trittschuh.  “It’s still going to take us time to find our game as we get into the season, but as long as we’re good defensively I know the team can score goals – we’ve shown that all preseason.  It’s time now to stay focused and make sure we go into Tulsa and play our game.”