Cheers rang out from the stands of Weidner Field on Saturday night but not for the Switchbacks.
The well-traveling fans in support of visiting New Mexico United made their voices heard following their club’s 1-0 win over Colorado Springs.
The final score in the first game the two teams played in Albuquerque was 1-0 and just like last time, the Switchbacks were doomed by a single mistake.
The fatal moment came in the eighth minute as Switchbacks defender Matt Mahoney was saving a ball from rolling past the touchline deep in Colorado Springs’ third of the field.
He sent an errant pass that was intercepted by United forward Mukwelle Akale who then beat Switchbacks keeper Christian Herrera who was out of position waiting for Mahoney’s pass.
The loss marks the first defeat for the Switchbacks at home since April 6.
“I think it’s a moment to tamper your feelings. I think I don’t want to get too down. I think we huffed and puffed but the ball didn’t go in for us,” Herrera said. ” I think we have to find ways to win these games. These games are important games for us to really solidify that home playoff game. It’s just another one, you learn from it, you move on and that’s it.”
Game analysis and insights from The Gazette sports staff including columns by Woody Paige and Paul Klee.
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Following Saturday’s match, 10 games remain in the regular season for Colorado Springs. New Mexico sits atop the USL Championship’s Western Conference, the Switchbacks are in the midst of the top eight teams that will advance to the playoffs.
The Switchbacks played with the effort of a team nearing the postseason. Their effort was palpable following New Mexico’s early score. Colorado Springs outshot New Mexico 15-12 and earned five corner kicks to United’s one.
The difference was New Mexico’s defense. For every potential Switchbacks’ header, United had a defender who got to the ball first. New Mexico’s players ran stride for stride with every Colorado Springs attacker denying clean looks at the goal and several crosses.
“They’re a very good side, they’re top of the league for a reason. Obviously defensively, they’re decent, but we didn’t test them as well as we should have done,” Coach James Chambers said.
The visitors’ defense held firm despite United ending the contest with 10 men. Midfielder Zico Bailey earned a second yellow card in the 71st minute.
The Switchbacks (9-10-5) fell below .500 for the first time since May. The club will have little time to recover physically and mentally from Saturday’s match as the team hosts Memphis 901 FC Wednesday.
“We can’t afford to miss our chances the way we do. We can’t dwell on this too much. It’s going to hurt today, tomorrow (and beyond),” forward Jonas Fjeldberg said. “(Soccer is) a sport that you’re only as good as your last game so I think that will motivate the guys to go 100% again on Wednesday.”
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Publish date : 2024-08-23 13:00:00
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