Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC ground out a 1-0 victory away at Monterey Bay FC on Saturday, with Juan Tejada's first-half strike proving the difference in a tight USL Championship contest.

The Switchbacks took the lead in the 28th minute when Tejada finished off a chance created by Isaiah Foster. It was a clinical moment from the visitors, who were content to sit on their advantage for much of the evening.

Monterey Bay struggled to find a way back into the match. The hosts' frustration began to show before halftime, with midfielder Judson picking up a yellow card in the 42nd minute. The second half followed a similar pattern — Monterey Bay pushed forward but lacked the cutting edge to trouble Colorado Springs enough to find an equalizer.

The final 15 minutes grew increasingly scrappy. Sam Williams was cautioned for the Switchbacks in the 77th minute, and Omari Glasgow followed into the referee's book two minutes later for Monterey Bay. Both sides picked up additional yellows deep into stoppage time, with Diego Otoya and Jon-Talen Maples booked in the 93rd minute as tensions boiled over in the closing seconds.

None of it mattered. Colorado Springs saw the game out comfortably enough, rarely looking like surrendering their lead once Tejada had put them ahead.

The three points on the road bolster the Switchbacks' position in the standings as the regular season enters its final stretch, while Monterey Bay's struggles in front of goal continue to haunt them at a critical stage of the campaign.