Colorado Springs Switchbacks rout visiting Austin Axtex, move into first in USL Western Conference
A dominating performance.
The Colorado Springs Switchbacks cruised to a 3-0 win over the Austin Aztex at Sand Creek Stadium, but the score is deceptive.
“It could have been five or six,” a slightly disappointed Luke Vercollone said a few minutes after the convincing victory Wednesday. “We were knocking all night.”
He’s talking about knocking on the door, and he’s right. The Switchbacks were firing away at Aztex goalie Cody Laurendi from start to finish.
The win puts the Switchbacks (14-9-3) into first place in the Western Conference of the United Soccer League. Oklahoma City can regain first place if it wins Saturday.
The Switchbacks jumped to a nearly instant 1-0 lead. Charles Eloundou, on loan from the Colorado Rapids, fooled the Aztex’s Fernando Timbo by faking inside and then dribbling outside.
Timbo tripped Eloundou in the box 35 seconds in, setting up Vercollone’s penalty kick.
Vercollone easily beat Laurendi with a low kick to the left corner. It was Vercollone’s 13th goal of the season.
The Switchbacks dominated the first 45 minutes, keeping constant pressure on Laurendi. Colorado Springs almost increased its lead at the 35:35 mark when Vercollone passed the ball, via a header, to a wide-open Josh Phillips.
Phillips, a defender, couldn’t quite gain control of the ball and kicked it over the post.
Switchbacks coach Steve Trittschuh wanted more from his team in the first half.
“We let our foot off the pedal a little bit,” Trittschuh said. “If we keep up the quality in the first half, the game is done.”
The quality was there in the second half. Austin defenders were in constant peril from the relentlessly aggressive Switchbacks.
Eloundou pushed the lead to 2-0 at the 54-minute mark. He dribbled down the right side, shadowed closely by Aztex defender Mikey Ambrose. Eloundou faked Ambrose inside before bolting outside.
Eloundou’s shot – a rocket to the left corner – gave the Switchbacks a cushion.
“The defender is great defender, and he had no chance,” Vercollone said of the goal. “The keeper had no chance. Charles can’t be stopped in a situation like that.”
The Switchbacks came close to adding to their lead at 58:30. Eloundou, surrounded by defenders, launched a soaring pass from the corner to Mike Seth, who nearly beat Laurendi with a header.
Vercollone closed the scoring at the 85-minute mark after an assist from Davy Armstrong.
