Photos Courtesy LA Galaxy/Stephanie Romero
By: Joel Huber
Carson, CA (May 4, 2016) –The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC fell 3-2 to LA Galaxy II Wednesday night behind a Jack McBean hat trick, in the first of their two game road trip to California.
The first half showed both teams applying pressure early, with Los Angeles providing the bulk of the pressure in the early going. Los Angeles created havoc in the midfield and were able to consistently play balls into the box on the ground, but the Switchbacks backline stood firm. Los Angeles had an opportunity to get the first goal in the 22nd minute but a fully stretched Devala Gorrick saved it before catching the ensuing corner kick. Unfortunately a questionable call led to Gorrick committing a foul inside the box in the 31st minute which led to LA’s leading scorer McBean converting from 12 yards out. This gave McBean his USL-leading 7th of the season. Switchbacks captain Luke Vercollone nearly equalized four minutes later, but his shot bounced off the post. LA would take a narrow 1-0 lead into halftime.
“It was a disappointing loss,” said Switchbacks goalkeeper Devala Gorrick. “It was a poor decision on the penalty, hopefully the league takes a look at it and sees what happened. Our response in the game was phenomenal; we’ll be ready to go on Sunday.”
Unfortunately things would only worsen for the Switchbacks, as Jack McBean was able to score less than two minutes into the second half to double the lead for LA after tearing through the Switchbacks’ backline. McBean nearly got his hat trick in the 53rd minute, but Devala Gorrick was able to come up with two huge saves. Vercollone had another opportunity a few minutes later but was called offside, before Marty Maybin saw the flag raised a few minutes later. McBean was finally able to claim his hat trick in the 71st minute as he notched his USL-leading ninth goal.
The Switchbacks would make a few substitutions in the second half that would prove key to their near-comeback. Saeed Robinson was able to score his first of the season only 10 minutes after coming on in the 77th minute, as Mike Seth found him inside the box where Robinson slotted home. JJ Greer was nearly able to make it a one-goal game after coming on in the 88th minute but his header went just inches wide of the post. Mike Seth was able to score his second of the season as Saeed Robinson’s pass found Seth who slotted the ball into the net in stoppage time to make it a one goal game. The Switchbacks had a few more chances late in the match but the late goals weren’t quite enough to overcome McBean’s hat trick.
Unfortunately for the Switchbacks an unusual amount of offside calls prevented the visitors from multiple scoring opportunities. Miguel Gonzalez, Marty Maybin, and Luke Vercollone were all victims of offside’s calls that may have prevented an improbable comeback. Nevertheless, the Switchbacks never gave up despite being down 3-0, and were able to rally to score twice. The late goals weren’t quite enough to top LA Galaxy II, who lead the USL’s Western Conference standings.
“I’m proud of the way they fought back,” said Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh following the loss. “Unfortunately a lot calls were beyond our control but, If they keep playing like that we’ll win a lot of games.”
The Switchbacks will remain in California as they prepare for their next match against the 2015 regular season Western Conference Champions, Orange County Blues on Sunday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. MDT.
The Switchbacks will return to Switchbacks Stadium on Friday, May 13th for the United Soccer League “Game of the Week” which will be shown live on ESPN 3. Tickets are available at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/switchbacksfc or by calling 719-368-8480 x1. For media passes please contact Public Relations Manager, Chris Ragain by phone at 719-368-8480 x103 or by e-mail at chris@https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/switchbacksfc
Photos Courtesy LA Galaxy/Stephanie Romero
By: Joel Huber
Carson, CA (May 4, 2016) –The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC fell 3-2 to LA Galaxy II Wednesday night behind a Jack McBean hat trick, in the first of their two game road trip to California.
The first half showed both teams applying pressure early, with Los Angeles providing the bulk of the pressure in the early going. Los Angeles created havoc in the midfield and were able to consistently play balls into the box on the ground, but the Switchbacks backline stood firm. Los Angeles had an opportunity to get the first goal in the 22nd minute but a fully stretched Devala Gorrick saved it before catching the ensuing corner kick. Unfortunately a questionable call led to Gorrick committing a foul inside the box in the 31st minute which led to LA’s leading scorer McBean converting from 12 yards out. This gave McBean his USL-leading 7th of the season. Switchbacks captain Luke Vercollone nearly equalized four minutes later, but his shot bounced off the post. LA would take a narrow 1-0 lead into halftime.
“It was a disappointing loss,” said Switchbacks goalkeeper Devala Gorrick. “It was a poor decision on the penalty, hopefully the league takes a look at it and sees what happened. Our response in the game was phenomenal; we’ll be ready to go on Sunday.”
Unfortunately things would only worsen for the Switchbacks, as Jack McBean was able to score less than two minutes into the second half to double the lead for LA after tearing through the Switchbacks’ backline. McBean nearly got his hat trick in the 53rd minute, but Devala Gorrick was able to come up with two huge saves. Vercollone had another opportunity a few minutes later but was called offside, before Marty Maybin saw the flag raised a few minutes later. McBean was finally able to claim his hat trick in the 71st minute as he notched his USL-leading ninth goal.
The Switchbacks would make a few substitutions in the second half that would prove key to their near-comeback. Saeed Robinson was able to score his first of the season only 10 minutes after coming on in the 77th minute, as Mike Seth found him inside the box where Robinson slotted home. JJ Greer was nearly able to make it a one-goal game after coming on in the 88th minute but his header went just inches wide of the post. Mike Seth was able to score his second of the season as Saeed Robinson’s pass found Seth who slotted the ball into the net in stoppage time to make it a one goal game. The Switchbacks had a few more chances late in the match but the late goals weren’t quite enough to overcome McBean’s hat trick.
Unfortunately for the Switchbacks an unusual amount of offside calls prevented the visitors from multiple scoring opportunities. Miguel Gonzalez, Marty Maybin, and Luke Vercollone were all victims of offside’s calls that may have prevented an improbable comeback. Nevertheless, the Switchbacks never gave up despite being down 3-0, and were able to rally to score twice. The late goals weren’t quite enough to top LA Galaxy II, who lead the USL’s Western Conference standings.
“I’m proud of the way they fought back,” said Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh following the loss. “Unfortunately a lot calls were beyond our control but, If they keep playing like that we’ll win a lot of games.”
The Switchbacks will remain in California as they prepare for their next match against the 2015 regular season Western Conference Champions, Orange County Blues on Sunday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. MDT.
The Switchbacks will return to Switchbacks Stadium on Friday, May 13th for the United Soccer League “Game of the Week” which will be shown live on ESPN 3. Tickets are available at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/switchbacksfc or by calling 719-368-8480 x1. For media passes please contact Public Relations Manager, Chris Ragain by phone at 719-368-8480 x103 or by e-mail at chris@https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/switchbacksfc
