After a fiesty midweek friendly against FC Juarez, New Mexico United looks to get back on track in league play after a loss last weekend to Memphis. It’s Pride on the Pitch night when the Colorado Springs Switchbacks come to the Lab.
The Lab is where United should feel the most comfortable. On the other hand, the Switchbacks have not been good away from the confines of Weidner Field. Even with their away form, the Switchbacks have been on a tear since week seven. One of the hottest clubs in the league in that time, they’ve charged up the Western Conference standings and currently find themselves in fifth. After an offseason full of departures, the incoming players have finally started to find what works for them and new Head Coach James Chambers is getting a return to form from Ronaldo Damus.
Damus, the 2021 Championship Final MVP, left the USL for Sweden but has since come back to the USL on loan stints with San Diego Loyal and now Switchbacks. Damus is showing why he received international interest. The striker is finding a partnership with Maalique Foster that is paying dividends. Both players have plenty of pace and like to get in behind defenses, where they can work in space. They each have the ability to make defenders open up their hips and overcommit. If they can pull the centrebacks out of position, they will both have chances to go for goal on Saturday night.
Player to Watch
Christian Herrera – The new goalkeeper for Switchbacks hasn’t proven to be the best netminder in the league. Surrendering over a goal per game, the defensive unit hasn’t been the strongest at times. Herrera will need to be at his best and find a way to communicate clearly with his defenders if they want to have a chance on Saturday.
United is coming into the match on relatively short rest after the ‘friendly’ on Wednesday. While there isn’t much to take away from that match tactically, it did help to reinforce the idea that United never quits, even when trailing. That match also served as a chance for some of the academy players to play with the first team. After that performance, it was announced that Jackson Dubois had just signed his first professional contract. Jackson is the latest academy product from United to do so, and big news ahead of the weekend match.
Unblemished at home this season, United will look to maintain that form on Saturday. What they can’t do against a club as hot as Colorado is make mental mistakes. Particularly ones in the defensive third. Mistakes were made in both the friendly and the prior match against Memphis. Those mistakes allowed their opponents to get out to early leads, forcing United to press and play from behind. There was a stark difference in the confidence and decision-making in the two halves on Wednesday. United will need to play decisive, attacking football out of the midfield to run at Switchbacks and put as much pressure on their back line as possible. With all of the pieces seemingly healthy and back in full swing, there will be a lot of decisions that Eric Quill needs to make to keep perfect at The Lab.
Player to Watch
Houssou – Since joining the club, Houssou has had a number of great performances. He’s able to be physical on and off the ball, making his presence known. He can make plays across the midfield, slowing down Foster and percent chances early.
ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM’s coverage begins at 6 PM (MT) with Adam Diehl and Andy Hageman on the pregame show. The action continues with kickoff at 7 PM as the pair brings every minute of every play. Catch the broadcast live on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, The TEAM app, and The TEAM website.
