Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC came from behind a scoreless first half to beat San Antonio FC 2–1 at home on Friday night, with Jonas Fjeldberg and Khori Bennett scoring in quick succession to seal the result. Emil Cuello pulled one back late for San Antonio, but it wasn't enough.
The first half produced no goals but plenty of edge. San Antonio's Michael Maldonado was booked in the 44th minute, and Carlos Llamosa followed into the referee's notebook just before the halftime whistle. Neither side could find a breakthrough before the break.
The second half opened in similar fashion until the Switchbacks turned the game on its head in a three-minute span. Steven Echeverria picked up a yellow card in the 62nd minute, but Colorado Springs didn't let the caution slow them down. In the 67th minute, Fjeldberg finished from a Jon-Talen Maples feed to give the hosts the lead. Three minutes later, Bennett doubled the advantage, converting off a Frank Daroma assist to make it 2–0.
San Antonio responded with urgency. Jorge Hernández was cautioned in the 81st minute as tempers flared, but a minute later Cuello gave the visitors a lifeline, getting on the end of a Daniel Barbir pass to cut the deficit to one. The final minutes saw San Antonio push forward, but Colorado Springs held firm to see out the win.
The victory gives the Switchbacks a valuable three points as the USL Championship regular season enters its final stretch, strengthening their position in a congested playoff picture.
USL Championship