Last week’s edition of USL All Access had an interesting debate on which two teams had the potential to join New Mexico United and Sacramento Republic FC in the top four in the Western Conference standings at the end of the season.

One of the clubs mentioned by Devon Kerr was Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, which had based its undefeated run on increased defensive solidity as its attack tried to find a way to get on track.

“They’ve closed down so many passing lanes, when the ball is turned over there’s not as much free-flowing space so that even though they’re still chasing the game, they’re still attack-minded,” said Kerr. “If they’ve gone wide, they don’t stretch themselves too thin. The units move in a much more symbiotic nature than what we’ve seen in previous years. I just don’t know if that continues for a 34-game stretch.”

On Saturday night, the Switchbacks didn’t need to be as good defensively because after some flashes of potential the attack finally broke out. Maalique Foster’s first two goals of the season and Yosuke Hanya’s brace paved the way to a 4-2 victory against Orange County SC at a sold-out Weidner Field and sent the Switchbacks streak to eight games undefeated in the league, and fourth place in the Western standings.

“You know, Orange County SC, there’s big respect there to them and to that team, they’re a very good team, but as you see, we can beat anybody in this league,” said Hanya. “Next week, we’re going to play against [Western Conference leader] New Mexico [United], and it’s going to be a good test for us, so I’m really excited for that test.”