Facing another wekeend of Prinx Tires Cup action, New Mexico United and Colorado Springs Switchbacks faced off at Weidner Field in Colorado on Saturday night. Both sides came out with drastically rotated lineups from the weekend prior, and it was the changes by the Switchbacks that proved to be the better team sheet. Three first half goals for the Switchbacks came as they capitalized on United mistakes and poor defending on their way to a 4-0 win over United to pick up three more points in the group stage.
It was United that broke first in the opening half of action. Throughout the first thirty minutes, United struggled in transition, giving up runs to Switchbacks after turnovers. Those struggles turned into increased pressure and mistakes by the Black & Yellow across the pitch. In the 31st minute, Switchbacks had a 3 versus 2 scenario as they bore down on United’s goal. From the right wing, Jonas Fjeldberg sent in a cross that resulted in the opening goal. The ball into the area seemed to be well covered by United, with Kris Shakes coming out and Kipp Keller turning back. Both attempted to play the ball, but Keller was first to it, and his touch deflected the ball past Shakes and into the net for an own goal, 1-0 to Colorado Springs.
Off to the races, Colorado Springs would add another just three minutes later. With another counterattack in the 34th, the Switchbacks once again had the advantage after getting a turnover near midfield. Fjeldberg once again created the chance, sliding out to the right and looking to get the ball in to Yosuke Hanya. The broke United’s defense and Hanya was able to push the ball over Shakes and into the top netting to double the lead, 2-0.
Colorado Springs would find a third before the end of the half. Once again, it was Fjeldberg in the middle of the action. AFter two big saves by Shakes in the 44th, the ball happened to fall to Fjeldberg who was to the right of the goal. In a flash, the ball was on the midfielder who puched a right-footed shot into the top right corner, beating Shakes at the near post, 3-0.
Deep in trouble, United needed a change. They needed a spark. But one never came. Throughout the second half, Dennis Sanchez used the full complement of substitutions, but nothing worked. United couldn’t stop Fjeldberg on the right, nor could they hold the midfield.
The Switchbacks would earn themselves a fourth goal late in the match, truly putting it out of reach for United. In the 82nd, Sadam Masereka drove the left side of the area against Maliek Howell. Inside the area, Masereka feinted right, then cut back to the left looking for a cross into the area. Waiting in the middle was Aidan Rocha, who at the time of writing was credited with a left-footed shot and the goal, 4-0. The Switchbacks walked away with a well deserved win and three points in the USL Cup group stage, giving United only three total shots the entire match.
Player of the Match
Jonas Fjeldberg – There’s no question that Fjeldberg controlled United the entire time he was on the pitch. Being involved in three of the four goals, the midfielder was dominant in a match that gives the Switchbacks a leg up in the Prinx Cup.
Up Next
After the loss, United returns to league play on Wednesday as they go into their second of three matches in eight days. When they return on Wednesday, they begin a homestand that includes Tampa Bay Rowdies and Charleston Battery. First up is Eastern Conference powerhouse Tampa Bay. Coverage of the match on Wednesday begins with the pregame show starring Adam Diehl and Andy Hageman at 6 p.m. followed by kickoff from The Lab at 7 p.m. Catch New Mexico United all season long on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, The TEAM apps, and The TEAM website.
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