November 26 – The Colorado Springs Switchbacks have reached the mountain top winning their first United Soccer League (USL) title beating Rhode Island FC 3-0.
In front of a sell-out crowd of 8,023 at Weider Field, goals from Juan Tejada, Jairo Henriquez, and Ronaldo Damus, sealed the deal for head coach James Chambers’ side. Tejada claimed Championship Final MVP honours after scoring the game-winning goal in his second consecutive post season outing.
The best finish the Switchbacks had ever achieved prior to winning the championship was the Western Conference quarter-finals which they have reached in the last three prior seasons. Much of the credit has fallen on the Irishman Chambers, who in his first year as the top man after serving three years as an assistant has completely changed the mentality of the club.
A second-place finish in the league gave Colorado the magical ticket of home-field advantage throughout the play-off run after Western Conference regular season champions, New Mexico United were surprisingly beaten by the Las Vegas Lights FC.
With that home-field advantage, Weidner Field, built in 2021 became a stronghold that opposing teams couldn’t breach as they conceded only one goal during post-season play. At 6,500ft above sea-level, Weidner Field is located at the highest elevation of any professional team in the American soccer pyramid.
Despite becoming champions of the 2nd level of professional soccer in the US, the Switchbacks will not get an invite to Gianni Infantino’s FIFA World Club Cup though as USL champions do not have a pathway to international play. Currently, the only way USL teams and below can play on a bigger stage is if they win the US Open Cup.
The Switchbacks franchise was founded in 2014 and is owned and operated by the Ragain family and Dean Weidner.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1732624063labto1732624063ofdlr1732624063owedi1732624063sni@o1732624063fni1732624063