The Switchbacks spent their break following the club’s July 4 home loss to Louisville City FC differently. 

Some took time to step away from the game and what has been a tumultuous season to regroup, while others, like backup goalkeeper Jonathan Burke, stayed in town and honed their skills. 

Now with the crew back together for the club’s next match at Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday at 6 p.m., they are all united in their mindset. 

“There’s a freshness about everybody,” coach James Chambers said. “We’re p—-d off, we’re angry, we’re annoyed, we’re all of those emotions. But we’re also aware of the situation that we’re in and the task at hand.”

The frustration is warranted. The defending champs of the USL Championship (3-6-6) sit in last place in the Western Conference with exactly half the regular season remaining. 

Colorado Springs has dropped its last two matches in regular season play and is winless in the previous four, when including the USL Jägermeister Cup.  

Saturday in Alabama presents an opportunity to break the streak, but it may come with the added challenge of winning without the club’s starting goalkeeper. Christian Herrera was injured in the club’s Fourth of July loss and Chambers described him as “touch and go” for Saturday, which in the Dublin, Ireland native’s parlance has carried more of a “questionable” designation in American football terms. 

Furthermore, Colorado Springs, on Friday, added goalkeeper Adam Beaudry on loan from the Colorado Rapids. 

Beaudry, 19, developed through the Rapids Academy program before signing a contract in early 2024. He’s made more than 30 appearances for Colorado Rapids 2 from 2023-2025 and two appearances for the Rapids’ first team.  

But moving pieces aside, there’s a chance Burke is the one in goal for Colorado Springs come Saturday. 

“If my name’s called then I’m ready to go,” he said. “The whole season I had time to prepare, being the backup, just getting mentally and physically ready for that starting spot if it does come.” 

The Switchbacks backup made his club debut on July 4, playing 68 minutes against a potent Louisville City. If he gets the nod on Saturday, he’ll have his hands full again dealing with Birmingham’s attackers Danny Trejo and Colorado Springs’ leading scorer from a season ago Ronaldo Damus. 

Burke prefers the heavy work load. 

“When you have to make saves the whole game you get into the swing of the game. Yeah, I think it just keeps you switched on,” he said.  “If you have to make that first save in the first 10 minutes, for example, when we played New Mexico it was offsides but (Christian Herrera) made a good 1-v-1 save, and it kind of wakes you up.”

For the regular season, Damus leads Birmingham in goals with eight while Roman Torres, Stephen Turnbull and Tyler Pasher each have a team-high two assists. 

Switchbacks midfielder Yosuke Hanya leads the club in assists with two while midfielder Marco Micaletto leads in goals with four.