FENTON, Mo. – Saint Louis FC’s James Musa and Irvin Herrera tallied first-half goals as the host side defeated Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 2-1 on Saturday at World Wide Technology Soccer Park. The Switchbacks’ Marty Maybin responded with a tally early in the second half, but Colorado Springs was unable to get any closer. STLFC goalkeeper Mark Pais came up with a couple clutch saves down the stretch to preserve the one-goal lead as the club opened a four-game home stand. The teams split the season series as the Switchbacks won the first time around, 2-0, on June 4 at Switchbacks Stadium. With the win, Saint Louis moves to 7-8-5 (26 points) overall and earned its fourth win at home, improving to 4-1-4 at World Wide Technology Soccer Park. Colorado Springs drops to 9-6-4 (31 points) overall and 3-5-2 on the road.

Scoring:
36’ – STL – James Musa (Tyler David)
45’+ – STL – Irvin Herrera
55’ – COS – Marty Maybin (Josh Suggs)

Three Things That Mattered:

• 1. Saint Louis defender James Musa gave the host side the 1-0 lead in the 36th minute. STLFC gained a free kick from the right side and Chad Bond’s cross was up for grabs briefly for both sides. Tyler David got a touch amid the scrum and Musa found the ball at his feet from seven yards out and slotted it into the right of the frame for a 1-0 lead. Musa now has three goals on the season.

• 2. Irvin Herrera notched his team-leading 10th goal of the season. STLFC played a deep ball from its own end as it clipped Switchbacks defender Joe Greenspan’s head. Herrera probably was fortunate to not get called for a bump, but nevertheless took advantage of the situation as the ball was close to his feet with Switchbacks goalkeeper Billy Thompson well off his line. Herrera chipped his right-footed shot over Thompson and into the left of the frame for a 2-0 advantage heading into halftime.

• 3. Colorado Springs looked poised to make a run early in the second half. In the 55th minute, Josh Suggs’ throw-in to Saeed Robinson was played back to Suggs who made a nice run into the left side of the box. He dropped the ball off to Marty Maybin who from 11 yards out found the upper right corner to get the visitors on the score sheet and cut Saint Louis’ lead to one. It was Maybin’s sixth tally of the season and his first since June 4 during the club’s 2-0 win against STLFC the first time around. 

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Chad Bond, Saint Louis FC - The STLFC captain might not have found the score sheet Saturday, but he certainly played a big role in Saint Louis' constant threat offensively, whether it was his bicycle kick attempt or a beautiful chip over the Colorado Springs defense that nearly resulted in an Irvin Herrera goal.

Upcoming Games:
Saint Louis FC vs. OKC Energy FC – July 30, 8:30 p.m. ET, World Wide Technology Soccer Park
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 – July 29, 9 p.m. ET, Switchbacks Stadium