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Year in Review: Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 11/17/16, 7:09PM EST

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Switchbacks earned second consecutive playoff berth, but postseason ended quickly

For a second consecutive season, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC took third place in the USL’s Western Conference, but a conference quarterfinal exit at home against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 brought what could be viewed as a premature end to the season for a side that showed the ability to beat anyone in the Western Conference, but also miss out in games it would feel it should have won.

As had been their intention, the Switchbacks weren’t as high-flying as in their inaugural season, but the defensive improvements the side made more than made up for the reduction in goals in the regular season. Continuing that balance will keep the Switchbacks in contention for a strong finish again next season, and hopefully a deeper run in the USL Cup Playoffs.

2016 USL SEASON IN REVIEW

Record: 14-9-7, 49pts
Place: Third in the Western Conference
Goals For: 37
Goals Against: 27
USL Cup Playoffs: Western Conference Quarterfinals (L 2-1 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2)

2016 leaders: Mike Seth (8 goals, 5 assists), Devala Gorrick (82 saves) 

WHAT WENT RIGHT

The Switchbacks were among the best defenses in the Western Conference, conceding only 27 goals as goalkeeper Devala Gorrick and defender Josh Suggs both earned All-League honors. The attack achieved more balance, too, with four different players recording at least six goals, led by a breakout season from Mike Seth with a team-leading eight goals and five assists.

WHAT WENT WRONG

The Switchbacks took victories against a number of the better teams in the Western Conference, but were prone to surprising results at inopportune moments in the season. The biggest of those was on the final day of the regular season, when a victory would have earned the No. 1 seed in the West, only for a 4-0 defeat against Orange County – the heaviest in club history – to send the side to the No. 3 seed. The following weekend, WFC2 sprang the upset at Switchbacks Stadium.

GOALS OF THE SEASON

Miguel Gonzalez continued to sparkle for the Switchbacks in 2016 with some outstanding finishes, including this curled effort against OKC Energy FC in the USL Game of the Week on ESPN3.

Rony Argueta only scored once in the 2016 season, but he made it a memorable one with this long-range blast against Seattle Sounders FC 2.

SAVES OF THE SEASON

Devala Gorrick had a strong second season in Colorado Springs, and made numerous good saves including this double-stop against the LA Galaxy II.

Billy Thompson got a quick introduction after coming on as a substitute for his Switchbacks debut, and was sharp as he turned away San Antonio’s Carlos Alvarez one-on-one.

HE SAID IT

"We didn't have as a good of depth as we expected. We need players to push our starters more. I want to bring in that consistent goal scorer up top who can score in the air. Mike [Seth] did a good job but we need more of that next year.” – Colorado Springs Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh

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