It took one goal by Switchbacks forward Juan Tejada in the final game of a three-game homestand to defeat San Antonio for the first time since 2019. 

Before Saturday, San Antonio was unbeaten against Colorado Springs in the last 15 matchups, including 14 matches across in the regular season and playoffs, and 12 regular season matchups.

San Antonio also knocked the Switchbacks out of the playoffs in 2022 in the Western Conference Final and in the first round of the playoffs in 2023. 

“I think we came out and knew it was a big game with where we are at and who we were playing,” Switchbacks goalkeeper Christian Herrera said. “We are not friends, and we knew that and came out with a good plan, and we executed. We had to suffer a bit, but we weren’t scared; we were there for the fight.”

Herrera earned his 30th career regular-season shutout to help the defending USL Championship champs end a three-game losing streak and four-game winless streak (including ties and losses). 

“I don’t think too much about individual awards, but to get to 30 with the Switchbacks is a special thing,” Herrera said. “I’m just happy to be a part of this club and to do it at Weidner.”

Saturday was all about winning for the Switchbacks, who are fighting for a playoff spot for the fifth-consecutive year. 

“We are well aware that performance doesn’t get you three points, and that’s the reality of it,” head coach James Chambers said. “We felt like, as a group, it was all about winning tonight; performance didn’t matter. We got our objective.”

Colorado Springs prevented San Antonio from attempting a shot on target on Saturday, the first time it failed to attempt a shot on target in a game in the USL Championship since facing Monterey Bay on Aug. 24. 

Tejada earned the solo game goal in the 15th minute off an assist by forward Yosuke Hanya to the bottom right corner of the net. 

“In Spanish, you will say abrir la lata or ‘open the can,’” Tejada said. “I like to get the first goal as soon as possible, so I was happy. Me and [Hanya] have a great partnership. I know when he is going to dribble and when he is going to put the ball across. It was the right moment at the right time, and the ball went in. Sometimes in fútbol we have to get lucky. We have not been lucky in the past games, but tonight we got lucky.” 

It was quiet for the rest of the first half, but action picked up after the intermission with several yellow cards issued, including two on defender Duke Lacroix, who was ejected in the 81st minute to the crowd’s frustration. 

The second half also saw the return of forward Quenzi Huerman to the pitch, who has been absent the previous three games due to injury. Huerman replaced Jonas Fjeldberg in the 71st minute. 

While the team is happy to beat a long-time rival, the win is a big confidence booster for the final three regular-season matches of the season. After a deflating last four games, the team is seeing forward progress. 

“We were really beat up last week, pretty low, but we wanted to win tonight,” Chambers said, “Credit goes to the players and staff in regards to how we approached the game. I don’t care that it’s San Antonio; more about how we approached the game. I’m ecstatic with that more than the actual win.”