Playing in the thin air of Colorado Springs on July 18, S2 was looking for another result on the road. Following a 4-0 dissection of Arizona United SC – which sat atop the league table at the time – the Rave Green were surging, looking to make a push for the top spot in the USL Western Conference.
Almost exactly one month later, the two clubs are set to meet again. Now, the race for the top of the table is only tighter and the stakes are even higher.
With the top six teams in the conference only separated by four points, and defending champion Sacramento Republic FC in seventh knocking on the door for the final playoff spot, fifth place S2 is looking for a positive result that would put the Rave Green in a three-way tie for second place with five games remaining in the season, including two against playoff-contenders.
“This is a very important game for us,” said S2 Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson. “We have had some rest since our last game and we were able to get a result when we visited them, so hopefully we can do the same on Wednesday.”
In the last meeting between the two clubs, Switchbacks FC took an early lead by the boot of Aaron King, heading a Jordan Burt cross in the ninth minute to take the lead. The Switchbacks are the second highest-scoring team in the league with 43 goals, trailing only Tulsa Roughnecks FC who have 46.
Sérgio Mota, who is available to S2 for the mid-week clash, scored the equalizer in the 61st minute, his second goal in three games.
S2 is looking to shake a two-game losing streak in which the club was shut out for only the second and third time this season. The Rave Green midfield will be bolstered by the return of Sérgio and captain Amadou Sanyang, who both return from suspension this week.
Meanwhile, Colorado Springs went 2-1-2 in its last five, having most recently given up a two-goal lead to draw at home against Sacramento.
Tickets to the match are available here, with kickoff from Starfire Stadium slated for 1:00 p.m. PT.
