Colorado Springs Switchbacks coach James Chambers still couldn’t believe the stat. 

He shook his head on Friday after hearing that in the last two games, his club earned a 4.41 rating in the expected goals category. Instead of winning both matches, Colorado Springs scored just once and conceded four goals to extend their losing streak to three games and four without a win. 

Colorado Springs (8-11-7) enters the finale of a three-weekend, four-match homestand with nothing to show, and this weekend’s opponent isn’t a walk in the park. But the key to success for the Switchbacks against visiting San Antonio FC at 6 p.m. on Saturday will be to once again defy the statistics. 

San Antonio FC (10-8-7) has remained unbeaten against Colorado Springs since 2019, a run that spans 15 matches overall, including regular season, playoffs, and this year’s USL Jägermeister Cup. San Antonio’s 12-match regular-season, head-to-head streak against Colorado Springs is tied for the longest active unbeaten streak between any two particular teams in the league, and is just two shy of the USL Championship’s all-time record. 

It wasn’t difficult for Switchbacks keeper Christian Herrera to descirbe the relationship between the two sides. 

“Obviously, we’re not friends with them. We’ve never been friends with them,” he said. “ I think we’re at the stage right now where we need to put some big performances up and I think just go out there and be us and be critical in the big moments. I think if we do that then we’ll be fine.”

Being ready in the critical moments has been a focal point for the Switchbacks this week, according to both Chambers and Herrera. Those critical moments apply to both sides of the ball. 

While the Switchbacks have done a great job of creating opportunities to score, they’ve also fallen victim to lapses in their defensive structure. The club allowed two goals off the counter against Sacramento Repubic FC on Sept. 20, Herrera was out of position for New Mexico United’s first score on Sept. 27, and the team left Hartord Athletic midfielder Jack Panayotou mostly unchallenged on an easy score from the 18-yard box on Sept. 27. 

“We’ve been our own worst enemy with the goals we’ve conceded. We’ve given up these silly goals when we’re in control of the game and in possession of the ball. So we gotta take care of that,” Chambers said. 

Beyond the history between the two clubs, a fierce playoff race looms in the background of Saturday’s contest. Colorado Springs is still in the eighth and final playoff spot in the league’s Western Conference, whereas San Antonio is in fourth in the west and can secure a playoff bid with a win.

Switchbacks midfielder Marco MIcaletto leads Colorado Springs in goals with six. Midfielder Steven Echevarria and forward Jonas Fjeldberg pace the club in assists with three each. 

For San Antonio, midfelder Jorge Hernandez’s 11 goals lead the team. Hernandez and defender Jimmy Medranda lead the team with four assists apiece.

---

Huerman on track to return

The Switchbacks have missed forward Quentin “Quenzi” Huerman who has scored three goals and added two assists in regular-season play.

Chambers confirmed Huerman, who has been dealing with an injury, will return to the lineup on Saturday.