The Switchbacks did everything they could to conjure the late-game magic they have shown on so many occasions in 2026, but after the final whistle, Hartford Athletic remained the team to beat in the Prinx Tires USL Cup. 

Hartford raced out to an early advantage as part of a dominant first half, striking twice in the opening 40 minutes to earn a 2-1 victory over Colorado Springs on Tuesday night at Trinity Health Stadium in Connecticut. 

The defending USL Cup champions punched their tickets to this year’s cup final by first punching the Switchbacks in the mouth from the opening whistle. Midfielder Barry Coiffey scored in the third minute after a defensive miscue from Colorado Springs. 

Former Switchbacks and current Athletic coach Brendan Burke was known for his high press during his time at Colorado Springs, and nothing has changed since. Athletic’s press suffocated the Switchbacks on several occasions, making it difficult for the club to advance into the attacking half of the field. 

Switchbacks keeper Christian Herrera, making his fifth straight start in goal, faced plenty of pressure in the first half as his back line continually passed the ball to him, forcing him to use his footwork to escape Hartford’s attackers who were eager to pounce.  

Hartford went up 2-0 in the 37th minute off a corner kick. Former Switchbacks defender Sebastian Anderson sent the ball in and defender Arturo Diz Pe finished with a well-placed header. 

The Switchbacks responded to the hosts’ second goal with a sense of urgency, playing more aggressively to end the first half and all throughout the second. Colorado Springs earned 10 of 11 corner kicks after Diz Pe’s goal, nine of which came in the second half. 

The Switchbacks were aided by the fact that coach Alan McCann saved many of the club’s best attackers for the second half. Leading scorer Khori Bennett, Adrien Perez, Jonas Fjeldberg and Elvis Amoh all entered the match in the back 45. 

As usual, Fjeldberg made the most of his opportunity off the bench, scoring the club’s lone goal in the 82nd minute off a long pass from midfielder Frank Daroma. 

Colorado Springs improved defensively in the second half as well. Herrera made a big save on former Switchbacks forward Michee Ngalina to begin the half in the 49th minute, and defender Talen Maples stood on the goal line and blocked a shot with his body with Herrera out of position in the 74th. 

With the result, Colorado Springs ends an impressive showing in tournament play this season. The Switchbacks advanced to the round of 16 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup earlier this season, marking the club’s deepest run in history. 

In the USL Cup, Colorado Springs remained perfect through the group stage and bested USL League One club Spokane Velocity FC on Aug. 12 to advance to Tuesday’s semifinal. 

The Switchbacks return to regular-season play Friday, hosting San Antonio FC at Weidner Field. 

Stoppage Time 

In addition to defenders Patrick Burner and Isaiah Foster, as well as forward Yosuke Hanya, who are battling injuries, Colorado Springs did not dress midfielders Aidan Rocha or Devon “Speedy” Williams.