Colorado Springs, CO (August 5, 2017) – The Switchbacks defeated Portland Timbers 2 for their second straight win as they took a 4-1 result at home in front of 3,623 fans.
Looking for their second straight win, the Switchbacks took on last-place Portland Timbers 2 at Weidner Field. The Switchbacks got off to a strong start applying the pressure early on. It would be Shane Malcolm who would score in his second straight match to get the Switchbacks on the board first. He fired a shot into the far left corner to beat last week's player of the week, Kendal McIntosh. The Switchbacks would score just minutes later as Luke Vercollone found Josh Suggs who hammed one past McIntosh to give the Switchbacks a 2-0 lead. Kevaughn Frater would make it a 3-0 match in the 34th-minute. Portland caught a break in the 37th-minute as they were awarded a penalty, but Moise Pouaty would flick it over the bar for his first penalty save of the night. The Switchbacks would hold on to take a 3-0 lead into the break.
"It was a great first half pressuring them," said Man of the Match Luke Vercollone. "We're happy, but we're not satisfied."
The Switchbacks attack didn't let up as Masta Kacher put the Switchbacks up 4-0 following a Luke Vercollone pass into the box. Kevaughn Frater would have a number of chances in the second half but McIntosh and the Portland back line would get the best of him despite strong efforts from him inside the final third. Portland did, however, apply pressure on the Switchbacks late in the match which led to an own goal in the 89th-minute as Conner Bevans knocked it into the Switchbacks net. In the dying moments of the match, Josh Phillips was called for a foul in the box leading to a second penalty for Portland. Moise Pouaty would step up big again, however, diving to his right for his second penalty save of the match. The Switchbacks would take a 4-1 victory to make it 7 straight undefeated matches against Portland TImbers 2.
"It was a good three points," said Head Coach Steve Trittschuh. "We've been preaching all week that we need to get three points. We also executed our game plan of breaking down their back four. I am disappointed we didn't come away with the shutout. But, all-in-all it was a good game that we have to take the momentum into Tuesday's match."
The Switchbacks will now hit the road for a two-game road trip against, Orange County on Tuesday, August 8th and then against Real Monarchs on August 15th. The Switchbacks will return home to Weidner Field on August 18th as they host LA Galaxy II for Superhero Night with post-match fireworks presented by Children's Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs. Tickets start at just $12 and are available here.
Colorado Springs, CO (August 5, 2017) – The Switchbacks defeated Portland Timbers 2 for their second straight win as they took a 4-1 result at home in front of 3,623 fans.
Looking for their second straight win, the Switchbacks took on last-place Portland Timbers 2 at Weidner Field. The Switchbacks got off to a strong start applying the pressure early on. It would be Shane Malcolm who would score in his second straight match to get the Switchbacks on the board first. He fired a shot into the far left corner to beat last week’s player of the week, Kendal McIntosh. The Switchbacks would score just minutes later as Luke Vercollone found Josh Suggs who hammed one past McIntosh to give the Switchbacks a 2-0 lead. Kevaughn Frater would make it a 3-0 match in the 34th-minute. Portland caught a break in the 37th-minute as they were awarded a penalty, but Moise Pouaty would flick it over the bar for his first penalty save of the night. The Switchbacks would hold on to take a 3-0 lead into the break.
“It was a great first half pressuring them,” said Man of the Match Luke Vercollone. “We’re happy, but we’re not satisfied.”
The Switchbacks attack didn’t let up as Masta Kacher put the Switchbacks up 4-0 following a Luke Vercollone pass into the box. Kevaughn Frater would have a number of chances in the second half but McIntosh and the Portland back line would get the best of him despite strong efforts from him inside the final third. Portland did, however, apply pressure on the Switchbacks late in the match which led to an own goal in the 89th-minute as Conner Bevans knocked it into the Switchbacks net. In the dying moments of the match, Josh Phillips was called for a foul in the box leading to a second penalty for Portland. Moise Pouaty would step up big again, however, diving to his right for his second penalty save of the match. The Switchbacks would take a 4-1 victory to make it 7 straight undefeated matches against Portland TImbers 2.
“It was a good three points,” said Head Coach Steve Trittschuh. “We’ve been preaching all week that we need to get three points. We also executed our game plan of breaking down their back four. I am disappointed we didn’t come away with the shutout. But, all-in-all it was a good game that we have to take the momentum into Tuesday’s match.”
The Switchbacks will now hit the road for a two-game road trip against, Orange County on Tuesday, August 8th and then against Real Monarchs on August 15th. The Switchbacks will return home to Weidner Field on August 18th as they host LA Galaxy II for Superhero Night with post-match fireworks presented by Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs. Tickets start at just $12 and are available here.
