Team of the Week

Colorado Springs, CO (October 22nd, 2024) – The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and the USL Championship officially announced today that Zach Zandi has been named to Team of the Week for week 33 of the 2024 season, presented by Konami eFootball.

On Saturday, Zandi showcased his incredible skills on the pitch and earned a goal,  won 3 of 5 duels, and had a perfect passing accuracy of 100%. Saturday’s match also marked his 100th regular season appearance in the USL Championship.

Zandi had netted the first and only goal of the evening, as Tyreek Magee threaded an incredible pass to Ronaldo Damus, who in turn put it on the foot of Zandi. Zandi wasted no time and from nearly the goal line on the right-hand side managed to tuck it in just in the back left corner of the net. 

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 33

GK – Colin Shutler, Orange County SC
D – Emmanuel Samadia, Hartford Athletic
D – Tony Alfaro, El Paso Locomotive FC
D – Langston Blackstock, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
M – Rhys Williams, Detroit City FC
M – Zach Zandi, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
M – Rida Zouhir, Birmingham Legion FC
M – Jack Blake, Indy Eleven
M – Lucas Stauffer, El Paso Locomotive FC
F – Johnny Rodriguez, Oakland Roots SC
F – Bertin Jacquesson, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Coach – Gavin Glinton, Oakland Roots SC

Bench: Eric Dick (PIT), Lamar Batista (NC), Ryan Doghman (OC), Danny Barrera (HFD), Seth Casiple (OC), Jose Sinisterra (OAK), Dylan Borczak (MEM)

The Switchbacks have their final game of the regular season on the road this Saturday, October 26th as they go head-to-head against Sacramento Republic. To stay up to date on the Switchbacks playoff run, head HERE. 

Colorado Springs, CO (September 10th, 2024) – The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and the USL Championship officially announced today that Yosuke Hanya has been named Player of the Week and Justin Dhillon to Team of the Week for week 27 of the 2024 season, presented by Konami eFootball.

Yosuke Hanya was exceptional in Saturday’s game against Tampa Bay Rowdies. With his direct and quick play, Hanya was able to propel the Switchbacks to a fast start to the game. The young attacker completed the night with 100% passing accuracy in the final third, one goal and one assist. 

“I’m extremely happy, and grateful for this performance as a team,” said Hanya. “Personally, it has been very long since I scored my last goal, so this is definitely an energy boost moment for me, and I’m really excited to score more goals as we head to the last couple games.”

New signing, Justin Dhillon was great for the Switchbacks on Saturday night. Within the 64 minutes played, Dhillon was able to continue his goal scoring reputation by adding one to the score sheet two minutes into the second half. 

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 27

GK – Ramón Pasquel, El Paso Locomotive FC
D – Dani Rovira, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
D – Paco Craig, North Carolina FC
D – Omar Grey, San Antonio FC
M – Rafael Menzingen, North Carolina FC
M – Yosuke Hanya, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – Player of the Week
M – Bradley Sample, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
M – Ezra Armstrong, North Carolina FC
F – Evan Conway, North Carolina FC
F – Justin Dhillon, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
F – Rodrigo da Costa, North Carolina FC

Coach – Ben Pirmann, Charleston Battery

Bench – Khadim Ndiaye (MIA), Adrian Diz Pe (IND), Nate Dossantos (CHS), Aiden McFadden (LOU), Emilio Ycaza (CHS), Luis Solignac (SA), Nick Markanich (CHS)

The Switchbacks are at Weidner Field next Saturday for Noche Latina as they take on Charleston Battery! For tickets to that match, and all others, head HERE. 

Colorado Springs, CO (August 6th, 2024) – The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and the USL Championship officially announced today that Matt Real has been named to the Team of the Week and Matt Mahoney to Team of the Week Bench for week 22 of the 2024 season, presented by Konami eFootball.

Real displayed incredible skills out of the pitch last Saturday, where he won 5 of 5 tackles, 9 of 9 duels, and held a passing accuracy of 75.7%. Defensively he also had two clearances, two interceptions, and eight recoveries, helping the team keep a clean sheet against Phoenix Rising. 

Mahoney also has been a key defender in the game having two clearances, winning four duals, 47 accurate passes, and had 68 touches. 

The Switchbacks head on the road on August 10th against North Carolina FC and August 17th against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Mark your calendars for August 24th as the Switchbacks take on New Mexico United for Cyan Night! For tickets to that match, and all others, head HERE. 

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 22

GK – Jahmali Waite, El Paso Locomotive FC
D – Matt Real, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
D – Justin Malou, North Carolina FC
D – Robby Dambrot, Loudoun United FC
M – Juan David Torres, Charleston Battery
M – Edwin Laszo, FC Tulsa
M – Emilio Ycaza, Charleston Battery
M – Valentin Noël, Las Vegas Lights FC
F – Kalil ElMedkhar, Loudoun United FC – Player of the Week
F – Nick Markanich, Charleston Battery
F – Tristan Trager, Monterey Bay F.C.

Coach – Mario Sanchez, FC Tulsa

Bench: Eric Dick (PIT), Lamar Batista (NC), Matt Mahoney (COS), Danny Crisostomo (TBR), Clay Holstad (RI), Phillip Goodrum (TUL), Jansen Wilson (LOU)

Colorado Springs, CO (July 9th, 2024) – The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and the USL Championship officially announced today that Koa Santos have been named to the Team of the Week Bench for week 18 of the 2024 season, presented by Konami eFootball.

Santos had a great game on Thursday, where he created three chances, had 70 touches, and held a passing accuracy of 73.2%. Defensively, Santos won 100% of his tackles, had two clearances and won six duals. 

The Switchbacks have a two-game road trip with Birmingham Legion on Saturday, July 13th, and Louisville City FC on Friday, July 22 19th. The boys then return to Weidner Field on July 26th, as they go head to head against the Las Vegas Lights for Christmas in July!  For tickets to that match, and all others, head HERE. 

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 18

GK – Carlos Herrera, Monterey Bay F.C.
D – Owen Lambe, Orange County SC
D – Frank Nodarse, Rhode Island FC
D – Devon Amoo-Mensah, Detroit City FC
M – Rafael Mentzingen, North Carolina FC
M – Brady Scott, Orange County SC
M – Marc Ybarra, Rhode Island FC
M – Marco Micaletto, New Mexico United
F – Nick Markanich, Charleston Battery
F – Evan Conway, North Carolina FC
F – Wesley Leggett, Loudoun United FC

Coach – Dennis Sanchez, Las Vegas Lights FC

Bench – Raiko Arozarena (LV), Memo Diaz (OAK), Koa Santos (COS), Chris Allan (CHS), Jorge Hernandez (SA), Zach Ryan (LDN), Juan Agudelo (SA)

Colorado Springs, CO (June 18th, 2024) – The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and the USL Championship officially announced today that Maalique Foster and Yosuke Hanya have been named to the Team of the Week for week 13 of the 2024 season, presented by Konami eFootball.

Maalique Foster played an incredible game on Saturday by having two goals, holding a passing accuracy of 89.3%, and winning seven out of eight duals. Foster’s first goal of the night occurred in the 63′, where he carried the ball towards Orange County’s box, weaving in and out through opposing defenders. With his quick feet, Foster made it into the middle of the box, skipping the ball to the far left side, securing his first goal of the 2024 season.

With the help of #17 Jairo Henriquez, Foster was able to get another goal in the 86′. Henriquez was with the ball in the bottom left corner of the box surrounded by three Orange County defenders. Henriquez saw Foster perfectly set up right in the bottom of the box and quickly passed the ball to him, letting Foster laser it down the middle right side straight into the back of the net. 

Yosuke Hanya earned two goals throughout the night and was named Man of the Match. Playing the full 90 minutes, Hanya attempted 5 shots in the game, the joint-highest total for a Colorado Springs player in the USL Championship this season. This midfielder was the first one to score in the match at the 19′. Hanya brought the ball up starting from the center line and went diagonal towards the middle of the field. Being 25 yards out from the goal, we took the opportunity and struck the ball high clearing the goalkeeper. 

As the game got closer to the final whistle, Hanya found another goal opportunity in the 82′. Henriquez crossed the ball over to the left but was blocked by Orange County. With the defender trying to get it out of the box, Hanya capitalized on the pass, bringing it closer, sending it in the top right, giving the Switchback another win ending with a score of 4-2.

The Switchbacks have a two-game road trip with Las Vegas Lights on Tuesday, June 18th, and New Mexico United on Saturday, June 22nd. The boys then return to Weidner Field on June 29th, as they go head to head against Monterey Bay Union for Club and Country Night!  For tickets to that match, and all others, head HERE. 

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 15

GK – Hunter Sulte, Indy Eleven
D – Triston Hodge, Hartford Athletic
D – Lamar Batista, North Carolina FC
D – Akeem Ward, Memphis 901 FC
M – Yosuke Hanya, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
M – Rafael Mentzingen, North Carolina FC
M – Lindo Mfeka, Oakland Roots SC
M – Pacifique Niyongabire, Tampa Bay Rowdies
F – Bryce Jamison, Orange County SC
F – Michee Ngalina, Hartford Athletic
F – Maalique Foster, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

Coach – Gavin Glinton, Oakland Roots SC

Bench: Renan Ribeiro (HFD), Stephen Carroll (DET), Joe Farrell (HFD), Bruno Lapa (MEM), Maxi Rodriguez (DET), Trevor Amann (SAC), Greg Hurst (NM)

Colorado Springs, CO (June 4th, 2024) – The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and the USL Championship officially announced today that Delentz Pierre has been named to the Team of the Week for week 13 of the 2024 season, presented by Konami eFootball.

The Switchbacks started with a bang on Saturday night, with #4 Delentz Pierre making an immediate impact when coming onto the pitch. In the 2′ #10 Zach Zandi found the opportunity to pick up the ball and passed it up the field. Pierre made the touch from beyond 25 yards to score in the left top corner of the net. Pierre’s goal marks the fastest goal for the Switchbacks this season in the USL Championship. 

Pierre, 23, not only earned the only goal of the match, but he also exhibited impressive defensive skills, helping earn another clean sheet for the Switchbacks. This defender had three tackles, eight clearances, and won five duels. 

The Switchbacks will be on the road for next week’s game as they play on June 8th against Memphis 901 FC. Then mark your calendars for June 15th as the Switchbacks play at Weidner Field for a Father’s Day Celebration as they take on Orange County SC! For tickets to that match, and all others, head HERE. 

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 13
GK – Antony Siaha, Monterey Bay F.C.
D – Ben Ofeimu, Indy Eleven
D – Delentz Pierre, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
D – AJ Paterson, Birmingham Legion FC
D – Triston Hodge, Hartford Athletic
M – Florian Valot, Loudoun United FC
M – Jake Morris, Louisville City FC
M – Kyle Scott, Orange County SC
F – Tyler Pasher, Birmingham Legion FC
F – Wilson Harris, Louisville City FC
F – Charlie Dennis, Tampa Bay Rowdies

Coach – Robbie Neilson, Tampa Bay Rowdies

Bench: Rocco Ríos Novo (PHX), Robby Dambrot (LDN), Shawn Smart (LV), Elijah Wynder (LOU), Aaron Molloy (CHS), Thomas Amang (OC), Mark Doyle (RI)

Colorado Springs, CO (May 21st, 2024) – The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and the USL Championship officially announced today that Ronaldo Damus has been named to the Team of the Week for week 11 of the 2024 season, presented by Konami eFootball.

Last Friday, the Switchbacks secured a win against Rhode Island FC. With Damus’s incredible attacking skills, he scored two goals, created one chance, held a passing accuracy of 78.6%, and completed 10 of 14 passes. 

The Switchbacks started the match down by one to Rhode Island, but quickly responded with #9 Ronaldo Damus scoring in the 27′. After Rhode Island headed the ball into the air, Damus swiftly took possession of the ball and brought it into the box, calmly striking the ball into the back of the net.  

Later in the second half, Damus was shoved down in the attacking box by #3 Stephen Turnbull, resulting in a penalty kick. Damus took a deep breath, ran up to the ball, and lasered it down the middle, while the goalkeeper #1 Ruiz Ojeda dove left.

Mark your calendars for June 1st as the Switchbacks play at Weidner Field to celebrate Soccer for all Night as they take on the Oakland Roots! For tickets to that match, and all others, head HERE. 

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 11
GK – Adam Grinwis, Charleston Battery
D – Aedan Stanley, Indy Eleven
D – Forrest Lasso, Tampa Bay Rowdies
D – Paco Craig, North Carolina FC
M – Ezra Armstrong, North Carolina FC
M – Taylor Davila, Louisville City FC
M – Charlie Dennis, Tampa Bay Rowdies
M – Riley Bidois, Loudoun United FC
F – Manuel Arteaga, Tampa Bay Rowdies
F – Ronaldo Damus, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
F – Cal Jennings, Tampa Bay Rowdies

Coach – Robbie Neilson, Tampa Bay Rowdies

Bench: Rocco Ríos Novo (PHX), Mark Segbers (CHS), Ben Ofeimu (IND), Fede Varela (PHX), Younes Boudadi (IND), Marlon Santos (MEM), Trayvone Reid (OAK)

Colorado Springs, CO (May 14th, 2024) – The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and the USL Championship officially announced today that Yosuke Hanya has been named to the Team of the Week bench for week 10 of the 2024 season, presented by Konami eFootball.

Last Saturday, Hanya held a passing accuracy of 92.9%, had two shots in the box, had a total of 31 passes, and scored one goal for the team. With his impressive skills, he was able to secure the Switchbacks’ win against Hartford Athletic.

The first action of Saturday’s match was in the 24th minute, as #99 Maalique Foster made an incredible no-look-forward pass to his teammate #20 Yosuke Hanya, who snagged the ball and netted a beautiful goal in the bottom left corner of the net, winging it just past the Hartford goalie, #40 Renan Ribeiro. 

Despite Hartford’s increased possession throughout the second half, their aggressive play would be their downfall, as a foul on #20 Hanya in the box by Hartford’s #4 Jordan Scarlett awarded a penalty kick to the Switchbacks. Taken by #9 Ronaldo Damus in the 80th minute, the Switchbacks doubled their score for the match, earning them the win.

Mark your calendars for May 17th as the Switchbacks return to Weidner Field to battle Rhode Island FC for Armed Forces night! For tickets to that match, and all others, head HERE. 

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 9

GK – Tyler Deric, Memphis 901 FC
D – Aedan Stanley, Indy Eleven
D – Carlos Guzman, Monterey Bay F.C.
D – Adrian Diz Pe, Indy Eleven
M – Eric Calvillo, El Paso Locomotive FC
M – Taylor Davila, Louisville City FC
M – Bolu Akinyode, El Paso Locomotive FC
M – Bruno Lapa, Memphis 901 FC
F – Tumi Moshobane, El Paso Locomotive FC
F – Augustine Williams, Indy Eleven
F – Ray Serrano, Louisville City FC

Coach – Danny Cruz, Louisville City FC

Bench – Jahmali Waite (ELP), Lucas Turci (MEM), Yosuke Hanya (COS), Clay Holstad (RI), Enzo Martinez (BHM), Ben Morris (DET), Tristan Trager (MB)

Colorado Springs, CO (May 7th, 2024) – The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and the USL Championship officially announced today that Ronaldo Damus and Matt Mahoney have been named to Team of the Week for week 9 of the 2024 season, presented by Konami eFootball.

Matt Mahoney has now won Team of the Week twice in the 2024 USL Championship regular season. Last Saturday, Mahoney won 2 of 2 tackles, and 8 of 11 aerial duels and made three interceptions, seven clearances, and eight recoveries. With his impeccable defensive skills, he was able to secure the Switchbacks’ win without El Paso scoring at all. 

Ronaldo Damus had an incredible game last Saturday against El Paso Locomotive. This forward scored both goals for the game and had four shots on target.  

In the 21′, #2 Koa Santos ran up the right farside on the pitch in the attacking zone, crossing the ball to Damus. Damus had a quick touch on the ball and then rocketed the ball into the back of the net, giving the Switchbacks their first goal of the night.

Then in the 88′, a penalty was conceded by El Paso player Eric Calvillo and was won by Switchbacks player #20 Yosuke Hanya. Due to this penalty happening in the 18, the Switchbacks were awarded a penalty kick. Damus calmly took the position and struck the ball toward the left of the net, while El Paso’s goalkeeper leaped to the right. With Damus getting the second goal of the night, it had secured the Switchbacks’ second win of the 2024 season.

The Switchbacks have a double match this upcoming week. The team heads to New York to play in the Open Cup on Wednesday, May 8th with kickoff at 5:30 pm MT. Then the Switchbacks head to Connecticut to play Hartford Athletic on Saturday, May 11th at 5:00 pm MT. Mark your calendars for May 17th as the Switchbacks return to Weidner Field to battle Rhode Island FC for Armed Forces night! For tickets to that match, and all others, head HERE. 

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 9

GK – Nate Steinwascher, Detroit City FC
D – Junior Etou, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
D – Matt Mahoney, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
D – Abdi Mohamed, New Mexico United
M – Jorge Hernandez, San Antonio FC
M – Jack Blake, Indy Eleven
M – Chris Allan, Charleston Battery
M – Enzo Martinez, Birmingham Legion FC
F – Marlon Santos, Memphis 901 FC – Player of the Week
F – Ronaldo Damus, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
F – Daniel Bruce, New Mexico United
Coach – Stephen Glass, Memphis 901 FC
Bench – Adam Grinwis (CHS), Adrian Diz Pe (IND), Bura Nogueira (SA), Tyler Pasher (BHM), Dylan Borczak (MEM), Phillip Goodrum (TUL), Stefano Pinho (BHM)