The rain and snow and mud and chill of our bizarre late spring delivered a blessing to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.

They have already attracted, in this infant stage of their existence, a stubborn, devoted fan base.

Scary weather struck again Saturday night at Sand Creek Stadium in the Switchbacks’ battle with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Lightning chased more than 1,000 fans to the parking lot during a long, wet delay.

But just before sunset, a stunning double rainbow glowed in the east.

Maybe it’s a sign of better soccer nights ahead.

Steve Trittschuh coaches the Switchbacks, and he’s wondering when fans will pack the stands.

“I hear people talking about us, but now I need to see them at the games,” he said. “We need to get people excited about it.”

But a respectable number of fans already have been excited enough to defy bad weather to watch the local soccer team.

The challenge ahead for the Switchbacks is to expand their reach. Crowds of 1,000 to 1,250 have been the norm in a stadium that seats 3,500.

Soccer skeptics will contend the sport is a tough sell in Colorado Springs, but any sport is a tough sell in this state.

Colorado State’s football team arrived at Air Force’s Falcon Stadium the day after Thanksgiving for a massively important regional clash.

The stands weren’t full.

Empty seats are the norm at Colorado College hockey games and Air Force basketball games and important high school games and ..

If Mile High were expanded to 250,000 seats, the Broncos still would sell out. All other teams in all other sports struggle.

Gregg Braha coaches the Liberty High boys soccer team and the St. Mary’s girls soccer team.

He’s watched four Switchbacks games. He likes what he sees.

“I’m very optimistic that it’s going to catch on,” Braha said. “Isn’t this a great thing, to live in a community where this is part of it? It’s really very fun. It’s what I’ve always hoped for.”

There is much to like. Every seat at Sand Creek Stadium offers an up-close look at the action. The crowds are loud and soccer-savvy. The vibe is low key with the proper emphasis on the game being played in front of you.

Tomas Martinez coaches the Cheyenne Mountain girls soccer team, winners of the past three 4A state championships. He has not yet attended a Switchbacks game.

“But I will,” he said Saturday. “Absolutely. My soccer friends have told me it’s a great rush.”

When good weather finally arrives, there’s strong reason to believe larger crowds will flock to watch the Switchbacks.