Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

{{Infobox football club

| clubname = Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

| current = 2025 Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC season

| image = Colorado_Springs_Switchbacks_FC_(2020)_logo.svg

| upright = 0.8

| caption =

| nickname =

| motto =

| founded = {{start date and age|2013|12|5}}

| stadium = Weidner Field
Colorado Springs, Colorado

| capacity = 8,000

| owner = Weidner Apartment Homes

| chrtitle =

| chairman = Tom Worthington

| mgrtitle = Head coach

| manager = James Chambers

| league = USL Championship

| season = 2024

| position = 2nd, Western Conference
Playoffs: Champions

| website = {{URL|https://www.switchbacksfc.com/|switchbacksfc.com}}

| pattern_la1 = _cssfc21

| pattern_b1 = _bluecollar

| pattern_ra1 = _cssfc21

| pattern_sh1 =

| leftarm1 = 000

| body1 = 000

| rightarm1 = 000

| shorts1 = 000

| socks1 = 000

| pattern_la2 =

| pattern_b2 = _capelli shoulders white

| pattern_ra2 =

| pattern_sh2 =

| leftarm2 = 00B7EB

| body2 = 00B7EB

| rightarm2 = 00B7EB

| shorts2 = FFF

| socks2 = FFF

| pattern_la3 =

| pattern_b3 =

| pattern_ra3 =

| pattern_sh3 =

| leftarm3 =

| body3 =

| rightarm3 =

| shorts3 =

| socks3 =

| American = true

}}

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC is a professional soccer team based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Founded in 2014, the team is a member of the Western Conference in the USL Championship, the second tier of the American soccer pyramid. The franchise is owned and operated by Weidner Apartment Homes.{{cite web|url=https://www.switchbacksfc.com/news/2025/02/colorado-springs-switchbacks-fc-embarks-on-new-era-with-weidner-apartment-homes-as-sole-owners/|title=Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Embarks on New Era with Weidner Apartment Homes as Sole Owners|access-date=27 March 2025|work=switchbacksfc.com}}

The club plays at Weidner Field, which holds the record for the highest altitude professional soccer stadium in the United States. The Switchbacks won their first conference championship, and overall league championship, in the 2024 season, defeating Rhode Island FC 3-0 in the USL Championship Final.

History

The Ragain family was awarded a USL Pro franchise on December 5, 2013, with plans to begin play in 2015.{{cite news |last=Paisley |first=Joe |date=December 2, 2013 |title=USL soccer franchise coming to Colorado Springs |url=https://gazette.com/sports/usl-soccer-franchise-coming-to-colorado-springs/article_0445da8e-8700-51e9-a2ba-e6478f120ac1.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |access-date=December 8, 2019}} The team's name, the "Switchbacks", was announced on January 31, 2014, following a fan contest.{{cite press release |date=January 31, 2014 |title=Colorado Springs Unveils Club Nickname |url=http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/784410.html |publisher=USL Pro |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505192746/http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/784410.html |archive-date=May 5, 2014 |access-date=December 8, 2019}} The team hired Steve Trittschuh as head coach on March 11, 2014.{{cite web|title=Switchbacks Name Trittschuh As Coach|url=http://www.uslsoccer.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=917152&SPID=157017&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=32800&ATCLID=209840017|publisher=United Soccer Leagues (USL)|access-date=December 24, 2014|date=March 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215172219/http://www.uslsoccer.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=917152&SPID=157017&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=32800&ATCLID=209840017|archive-date=February 15, 2015|url-status=dead}} Luke Vercollone was the first player signed by Colorado Springs in October 2014. The Ragain family chose Colorado Springs in large part because of the City for Champions vision by city leaders which included a downtown stadium concept that needed a champion of its own.{{cite web | url=https://www.visitcos.com/blog/city-for-champions/ | title=City for Champions }}

Steve Trittschuh and Luke Vercollone lead Colorado Springs to two immediate post season appearances in 2015 and 2016. A talented 2017 roster did not qualify for the playoffs followed by increasingly challenging league competitions through 2020 as the USL Championship grew.

In July 2019, the Switchbacks and Trittschuh parted ways naming assistant coach Wolde Harris the interim head coach.{{Cite web |title=Steve Trittschuh Relieved Of Duties, Wolde Harris Named Interim Head Coach |url=https://www.switchbacksfc.com/news/steve-trittschuh-relieved-of-duties-wolde-harris-named-interim-head-coach/ |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC }} On September 23, Switchbacks announced the selection of Alan Koch as the next head coach.{{Cite web |title=2018 USL Championship Coach of the Year Named Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Head Coach |url=https://www.switchbacksfc.com/news/2018-usl-championship-coach-of-the-year-named-colorado-springs-switchbacks-fc-head-coach/ |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC }} Koch's leadership of the team was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic and a restructuring of the 2020 season thereafter returning to Canada. A stabilizing limited affiliation between the Switchbacks and Colorado Rapids between 2019 and 2021 provided the club with additional technical resources and staff including Brian Crookham that aided the transitioning club.{{Cite web |last=Turner |first=Mark |date=2018-11-01 |title=Colorado Rapids, Colorado Springs Switchbacks announce affiliation |url=https://lastwordonsports.com/soccer/2018/11/01/colorado-rapids-colorado-springs-switchbacks-announce-affiliation/ |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Last Word On Soccer |language=en-US}}

The Switchbacks next looked to Brendan Burke from the Philadelphia Union as head coach to lead the club in its transition downtown beginning a new phase for the franchise.{{Cite web |title=2020 MLS Supporters' Shield Winner Named Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Head Coach |url=https://www.switchbacksfc.com/news/2020-mls-supporters-shield-winner-named-colorado-springs-switchbacks-fc-head-coach/ |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC }} Switchbacks rebranded by simplifying the original logo and colors. Burke quickly went to work restructuring the team making a 2021 playoff appearance in his first season. Player Hadji Barry tied the Championship league record for total goals scored at 25 goals earning the leagues Golden Boot award.{{Cite web |author=USLChampionship com Staff |date=2021-11-01 |title=Colorado Springs' Hadji Barry Awarded 2021 USL Championship Golden Boot |url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1191881-colorado-springs-hadji-barry-awarded-2021-usl-championship-golden-boot |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=USL Championship }} 2022 saw the best season in franchise history at the time, making it to the Conference Finals before defeat against San Antonio FC.{{Cite web |title=Switchbacks FC Finish Season In Conference Finals |url=https://www.switchbacksfc.com/news/2022/11/switchbacks-fc-finish-season-in-conference-finals/ |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC |language=en-US}}

After winning the final match of the 2024 regular season against Sacramento Republic FC, the Switchbacks were able to host their entire playoff run at home.{{Cite web |last=Kempen |first=Rowan |date=2024-11-01 |title=Switchbacks FC Brings Playoff Soccer Back to Colorado Springs |url=https://thecatalystnews.com/2024/10/31/switchbacks-fc-brings-playoff-soccer-back-to-colorado-springs/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=The Catalyst |language=en-US}} With a strong home advantage, the Switchbacks were able to cruise through the entire playoffs, conceding only one goal the entire 2024 USL Championship playoffs.{{Cite web |last=Rholdon |first=Corey |date=2024-11-23 |title=Switchbacks Are the 2024 USL Championship Champions |url=https://www.kktv.com/2024/11/23/switchbacks-are-2024-usl-championship-champions/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=KKTV |language=en}} During this run, the club won their first trophy by winning the Western Conference against the Las Vegas Lights FC,{{Cite web |last=Beaudry |first=Steve |date=2024-11-17 |title=Lights' breakthrough season ends with loss in conference finals |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/lights/lights-breakthrough-season-ends-with-loss-in-conference-finals-3213430/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal |language=en-US}} and handily winning the 2024 USL Championship final 3–0 against Rhode Island FC.{{Cite web |last=Gavato |first=James |date=2024-11-23 |title=Colorado Springs Switchbacks take the USL Conference Championship title! |url=https://www.koaa.com/news/covering-colorado/colorado-springs-switchbacks-take-the-usl-conference-championship-title |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=KOAA News 5 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Labidou |first=Alex |date=2024-11-23 |title=Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC win their first USL Championship title, dominate first-year club Rhode Island FC 3-0 {{!}} Goal.com Nigeria |url=https://www.goal.com/en-ng/lists/colorado-springs-switchbacks-fc-win-their-first-usl-championship-title-dominate-first-year-club-rhode-island-fc-3-0/blt39bdcef21b74e3e2#cs872193b2879f1768 |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=www.goal.com |language=en-NG}}

The Switchbacks started the 2025 season with a match on February 9th, 2025 vs. New Mexio United.

Club culture

= Supporter Groups =

The club has one recognized supporter group, and independent supporter group called Trailheads SG.{{Cite web |title=Trailheads SG |url=https://www.switchbacksfc.com/club/supporters/trailheadssg/ |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC |language=en-US}} They're typically located behind the south endline in a place titled, "Base Camp."{{Cite web |last=Muret |first=Don |last5=Pulse |date=2021-04-29 |title=Colorado Springs Soccer Stadium Debuts - VenuesNow |url=https://venuesnow.com/colorado-springs-soccer-stadium-debuts/ |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Venues Now |language=en-US}}

= Mascot =

Ziggy the mountain goat, debuted during the club's inaugural season, is the club's official mascot. He was chosen after a competition was hosted between artists from local high schools to create concept art for the new club's mascot to potentially win $200 for their school's art department, which was eventually won by Widefield High School.{{Cite web |title=Ziggy's Story |url=https://www.switchbacksfc.com/news/2018/12/ziggys-story/ |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC |language=en-US}} He's regarded as one of the best mascots in the USL Championship, being ranked the league's fourth best mascot in 2017.{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Nicholas |date=2017-04-14 |title=USL Top Five – Mascots |url=https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/781564-usl-top-five-mascots |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=USL Championship |language=en-us}}

Stadium

File:Weidner-Field-June-2021.jpg

The team opened an 8,000 capacity soccer stadium in downtown Colorado Springs, called Weidner Field, built by Perkins & Will Architects for the 2021 season. Having taken the name from the club's former stadium in October 2020, the stadium sits at an altitude of 6,035 feet, making Weidner Field the highest altitude professional soccer stadium in the United States.{{cite press release |title=Colorado Springs Switchbacks Name Downtown Stadium Weidner Field |date=October 15, 2020 |publisher=Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC |url=https://www.switchbacksfc.com/news_article/show/1127860 |access-date=November 2, 2020}} The stadium includes many unique elements, including a statue of Saturn that symbolizes the city's nickname as the Olympic City, as well as one of the first "corkonut" turf fields approved by FIFA.{{Cite web |last=Snouwaert |first=Jessica |date=2021-05-16 |title=4 facts about Weidner Field you probably did not know |url=https://gazette.com/sports/4-facts-about-weidner-field-you-probably-did-not-know/article_e64dc0ce-a1f3-11eb-b037-87eb9dda8e0f.html |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Colorado Springs Gazette |language=en}} Plans for the stadium were officially announced by the City of Colorado Springs in July 2018.{{Cite news |url=https://gazette.com/business/apartment-developer-buys-land-next-to-planned-downtown-colorado-springs/article_5a55b15a-d93f-11e8-943b-53673644302e.html|title=Apartment developer buys land next to planned downtown Colorado Springs soccer stadium site|last=Laden |first=Rich |work=Colorado Springs Gazette|access-date=2018-11-19}} Construction began on December 7, 2019. The stadium cost was $47 million and funded by team ownership and Regional Tourism Act / City for Champions tax increment financing.{{cite news |last=Hancock |first=Amanda |date=December 7, 2019 |title=Groundbreaking held for $35 million multi-use stadium in downtown Colorado Springs |url=https://gazette.com/news/local/groundbreaking-held-for-million-multi-use-stadium-in-downtown-colorado/article_7fd76e6c-187e-11ea-92a7-ef25f22211f8.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |access-date=December 8, 2019}}

In 2014, Sand Creek Stadium (now officially known as the Switchbacks Training Field) received a $3.5 million renovation by Martin E. Ragain after signing a 10-year lease with the City of Colorado Springs to meet league minimum stadium criteria for franchises.{{Cite web |url=http://switchbacksfc.com/sand-creek-stadium-ground-breaking-ceremony/ |title=Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC » Sand Creek Stadium Ground Breaking Ceremony |access-date=2014-09-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503073235/http://switchbacksfc.com/sand-creek-stadium-ground-breaking-ceremony/ |archive-date=2016-05-03 |url-status=dead }} Located at roughly 6,500 feet above sea level,{{cite web|title=Security Service Field: Context Matters|first=Dan|last=Fox|url=http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060711&content_id=104479&vkey=news_t551&fext=.jsp&sid=t551|work=Baseball Prospectus|date=July 11, 2006|access-date=February 20, 2014|archive-date=March 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307045159/https://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060711&content_id=104479&vkey=news_t551&fext=.jsp&sid=t551|url-status=dead}} the stadium was at the highest elevation of any primary home stadium for a professional team in the American soccer pyramid.

Year-by-year

File:Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Historic League Performance.png

class="wikitable"
Year !Division !League !Regular season !Playoffs !U.S. Open Cup !Avg. attendance
2015 \|align=center rowspan=2\| 3 \|USL \|3rd, Western \|Conference Semifinals \|Fourth Round \|2,723
2016 \|USL \|3rd, Western \|Conference Quarterfinals \|Fourth Round \|3,152
2017 \|align=center rowspan=8\| 2 \|USL \|9th, Western \|did not qualify \|Third Round \|3,389
2018 \|USL \|11th, Western \|did not qualify \|Third Round \|3,804
2019 \|USLC \|18th, Western \|did not qualify \|Third Round \|4,005
2020 \|USLC \|13th, Western 3rd, Group C \|did not qualify \|Cancelled \|N/A
2021 \|USLC \|5th, Western 3rd, Mountain \|Conference Quarterfinals \|Cancelled \|6,271
2022 \|USLC \|3rd, Western \|Conference Finals \|Second Round \|7,199
2023 \|USLC \|5th, Western \|Conference Quarterfinals \|Second Round \|7,769
2024 \|USLC \|2nd, Western \|bgcolor=gold \| Champions \|Round of 32 \|7,664

class="wikitable"

Year

!Division

!League

!Regular season

!Playoffs

!U.S. Open Cup

!Avg. attendance

2015

|align=center rowspan=2| 3

|USL

|3rd, Western

|Conference Semifinals

|Fourth Round

|2,723

2016

|USL

|3rd, Western

|Conference Quarterfinals

|Fourth Round

|3,152

2017

|align=center rowspan=8| 2

|USL

|9th, Western

|did not qualify

|Third Round

|3,389

2018

|USL

|11th, Western

|did not qualify

|Third Round

|3,804

2019

|USLC

|18th, Western

|did not qualify

|Third Round

|4,005

2020

|USLC

|13th, Western
3rd, Group C

|did not qualify

|Cancelled

|N/A

2021

|USLC

|5th, Western
3rd, Mountain

|Conference Quarterfinals

|Cancelled

|6,271

2022

|USLC

|3rd, Western

|Conference Finals

|Second Round

|7,199

2023

|USLC

|5th, Western

|Conference Quarterfinals

|Second Round

|7,769

2024

|USLC

|2nd, Western

|bgcolor=gold | Champions

|Round of 32

|7,664

Current roster

{{updated|June 1, 2025|{{cite web|url=https://www.switchbacksfc.com/roster/ |title=Colorado Springs Switchbacks Roster |publisher=Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC |website=switchbacksfc.com |access-date=December 8, 2024}}}}

{{fs player|no=17|nat=USA|name=Herbert Endeley|pos=FW|other=on loan from FC Dallas}}

{{fs player|no=20|nat=JPN|name=Yosuke Hanya|pos=FW|other=on loan from Colorado Rapids 2}}

{{fs player|no=24|nat=MEX|name=Abraham Romero|pos=GK|other=on loan from Columbus Crew}}

{{Fs player|no=25|nat=USA|name=Henry Weston|pos=MF|other={{Cref2|A|name=1|1}}}}

Staff

{{flagicon|USA}} Martin Ragain – owner
{{flagicon|USA}} Nick Ragain – president
{{flagicon|IRE}} Stephen Hogan – sporting director & general manager
{{flagicon|IRE}} James Chambers – head coach
{{flagicon|USA}} Alan McCann – technical director & assistant coach

Honors

USL Championship
Champions: 2024
USL Western Conference
Champions (Playoffs): 2024

References

External links

{{official website|https://switchbacksfc.com/}}

Category:Articles with hCards

Category:2013 establishments in Colorado

Category:Association football clubs established in 2013

Category:Sports in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Category:USL Championship teams