TUKWILA, Wash. - It’s a playoff rematch as Seattle Sounders FC 2 welcomes Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC to town on Sunday at Starfire Stadium (7 p.m. PT; SoundersFC.com). The two teams met in the first round of the USL playoffs last season, with the Switchbacks prevailing by a final of 2-0.
Despite the result in the last meeting between these teams, head coach Ezra Hendrickson and company are determined to prevent a similar outcome on Sunday.
“They’re a veteran team and they’re very organized,” said Hendrickson. “It’s always a good battle with them.”
Coached by former U.S. men's national team veteran Steve Trittschuh, the Switchbacks are unbeaten so far in two matches and sit in sixth in the West with six points (2-0-0). S2 is coming off its first result of the season as the team picked up a point in a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Rio Grande Valley FC Toros on Tuesday. The result ended a three-match losing skid as S2 aims to build on that momentum this Sunday.
Additionally, S2 welcomes three players back into the fold as homegrown midfielder Jordan Schweitzer, midfielder Carlos Patino and defender Michael Nelson have all recovered from injury and are available on Sunday.
“Yes, those guys are definitely available for Sunday,” Hendrickson told reporters. “All three are coming off injuries so we’ll be sparing in how much they play but we’ll look to get them in the game on Sunday.”
Forward Andy Craven was seen off to the side doing individual drills during Friday’s session. Hendrickson confirmed that he was feeling tightness in his hamstring, but that it shouldn’t affect his availability for Sunday.
S2 kicks off at 7 p.m. PT at Starfire Stadium, with the game streamed live on SoundersFC.com. Sunday's fixture marks the last of a five-game home stand before the team heads on the road to Rio Tinto Stadium to face Real Monarchs SLC on April 26.
