The Colorado Springs Switchbacks embody what the USL wants to be.
By building their own stadium, committing to a continuous sporting strategy, and growing their presence in the local community, the Switchbacks have done everything right in the second tier. Hosting the 2024 USL Championship final on Saturday, Colorado Springs showed off their progress – and that of the league – to the soccer-watching nation on CBS.
At the end of the 90 minutes against Rhode Island FC, Colorado Springs came away with hardware on the back of a truly dominant performance. Throughout the playoffs, the Switchbacks had relied on hard pressure and a high back line at the base of their 4-2-3-1, turning defensive aggression into offensive chances.
That formula came good once again this weekend in front of a raucous 8,000 fans at Weidner Field.
How the final was won
Rhode Island came out with the bolder lineup on paper, keeping star wing back Jojea Kwizera – who created 47 chances in the regular season – on the bench.
Kwizera had only just returned from international duty with Rwanda, and Khano Smith preferred Noah Fuson at left wing back in his stead. For RIFC, that deeper deployment on Fuson’s part also allowed Albert Dikwa to start in the forward line next to JJ Williams.
