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.”
The Switchbacks can’t overlook an improved Las Vegas Lights FC team on Tuesday night, but their visit to New Mexico is now a marquee matchup given the position of both sides. As confident as Colorado Springs is becoming, we’re looking forward to tuning in.
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Here’s how the rest of this week’s rankings look.
Rank |
Team |
Change |
Summary |
|
1 | ![]() |
Indy Eleven (9-4-2) Week 16: v. OC |
![]() Last Week: 1 |
Indy’s balance has been key to its winning run, but the defense far outweighed the attack in Saturday’s win against San Antonio. Still, winning is winning, however it comes. |
2 | ![]() |
Tampa Bay Rowdies (7-3-4) Week 16: @ HFD |
![]() Last Week: 6 |
The Rowdies needed a late winner against LouCity, but they looked the better side throughout the 90 minutes and probably deserved the result. |
3 | ![]() |
Memphis 901 FC (6-6-3) Week 16: @ LV |
![]() Last Week: 7 |
A bit of a heart-stopping week in Memphis, but with four points from two games 901 FC is up to third in the Western Conference and avoided a trip to Heartbreak Hotel. |
4 | ![]() |
Louisville City FC (10-2-2) Week 16: @ PIT, v. RI |
![]() Last Week: 2 |
LouCity’s set pieces gave it a chance against the Rowdies, but the hosts took LouCity’s high line and exploited it. How Louisville rebounds in Pittsburgh on Wednesday night will be interesting. |
5 | ![]() |
New Mexico United (8-4-1) Week 16: v. COS |
![]() Last Week: 3 |
Give New Mexico the fact it fought until the last and almost came away with something. Losing stinks – especially when one of the goals was self-inflicted – but the character the side showed was great. |
6 | ![]() |
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (6-5-2) Week 16: @ LV, @ NM |
![]() Last Week: 9 |
The Switchbacks are undefeated in their last eight league games and their attack finally broke out in a great result against Orange County. First place is within reach now. | 7 | ![]() |
Detroit City FC (7-3-2) Week 16: --- |
![]() Last Week: 11 |
Le Rouge weren’t really up to speed in the first half against Charleston, but their adjustments offered enough to earn a big win at home. |
8 | ![]() |
Sacramento Republic FC (6-1-7) Week 16: @ TUL |
![]() Last Week: 4 |
Republic FC wasn’t incisive enough in the opening half-hour and the introduction of Cristian Parano brought a marked improvement. The sooner he’s ready to start, the better. |
9 | ![]() |
Charleston Battery (8-2-5) Week 16: @ PHX |
![]() Last Week: 5 |
The Battery are in a funk, three games without a goal. That makes Saturday night’s trip to Phoenix for a USL Championship Final rematch even more vital for the side. |
10 | ![]() |
Loudoun United FC (5-6-3) Week 16: @ MIA |
![]() Last Week: 8 |
If you had to call it one way or the other, Loudoun was probably the more likely to win on Friday night against Las Vegas. Positive signs, again. |
11 | ![]() |
Oakland Roots SC (6-7-2) Week 16: v. ELP, @ MB |
![]() Last Week: 14 |
Between the travelling support and Lindo Mfeka’s individual display, Oakland showed out in Sacramento and ended up with a big victory on the road. |
12 | ![]() |
North Carolina FC (4-5-5) Week 16: v. PIT |
![]() Last Week: 13 |
Solid bounce-back win for NCFC back on home turf, and Oalex Anderson is coming into his own. He was hard to handle on the left side and has goals in four consecutive games for club and country. |
13 | ![]() |
Phoenix Rising FC (5-5-5) Week 16: v. CHS |
![]() Last Week: 10 |
Phoenix was so close to letting a point slip away in El Paso, but that’s why you have a star like Rocco Ríos Novo in goal for you. |
14 | ![]() |
Birmingham Legion FC (5-5-3) Week 16: v. SA |
![]() Last Week: 12 |
Matt VanOekel going down for Legion is a tough one. The man’s been a legend and whoever steps in will have big gloves to fill. |
15 | ![]() |
San Antonio FC (4-6-5) Week 16: @ BHM |
![]() Last Week: 15 |
SAFC cannot seem to catch a break right now. We still believe a turnaround is coming, though. |
16 | ![]() |
Orange County SC (5-6-3) Week 16: @ IND |
![]() Last Week: 16 |
Bryce Jamison showed just how talented he is with his two finishes in Colorado Springs. More of that, please, young man. |
17 | ![]() |
Hartford Athletic (5-7-1) Week 16: v. TBR |
![]() Last Week: 22 |
After our wondering, how good was it to see Michee Ngalina’s backflips again on Saturday night? Great result for Hartford but now the side must push on. |
18 | ![]() |
Las Vegas Lights FC (4-7-4) Week 16: v. COS, v. MEM |
![]() Last Week: 19 |
This is a big week for the Lights with two of the top four teams coming into Cashman Field off wins. Time to show everyone what you’ve got. |
19 | ![]() |
El Paso Locomotive FC (3-9-3) Week 16: @ OAK |
![]() Last Week: 20 |
Locomotive has improved its defensive structure in the last two outings, and while there’s still a long way to go it’s starting to look promising. |
20 | ![]() |
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (3-6-5) Week 16: v. LOU, @ NC |
![]() Last Week: 17 |
The Hounds just cannot buy a goal right now, and with LouCity coming to the Steel City on Wednesday night the timing couldn’t be worse. |
21 | ![]() |
Monterey Bay F.C. (5-7-4) Week 16: v. OAK |
![]() Last Week: 18 |
Monterey Bay just didn’t seem to get a grip on the threat posed by NCFC’s Oalex Anderson and Ezra Armstrong, and it cost the visitors dearly on Sunday night. |
22 | ![]() |
FC Tulsa (3-5-4) Week 16: v. MIA, v. SAC |
![]() Last Week: 21 |
This is an important week for Tulsa. Got to take care of business at home to Miami FC on Wednesday night before facing Sacramento Republic FC this weekend. |
23 | ![]() |
Rhode Island FC (1-4-9) Week 16: @ LOU |
![]() Last Week: 23 |
Just when you thought RIFC was going to pick up its second victory, it finds a way to throw it away. Such a shame. |
24 | ![]() |
Miami FC (2-11-1) Week 16: @ TUL |
![]() Last Week: 24 |
Miami is five points adrift and on course for 17 points this season. That’s less than Hartford and Las Vegas a year ago, for what it’s worth. |
Tag(s): Power Rankings San Antonio FC CO Spring Switchbacks Orange County SC Phoenix Rising FC Sacramento Republic FC FC Tulsa Charleston Battery Louisville City FC Pittsburgh Riverhounds Tampa Bay Rowdies Las Vegas Lights FC Birmingham Legion FC North Carolina FC Indy Eleven Memphis 901 FC El Paso Locomotive FC New Mexico United Loudoun United FC Hartford Athletic Miami FC Oakland Roots SC Detroit City FC Monterey Bay F.C. Rhode Island FC