After two games at home, the Switchbacks will play the remainder of their March matches away from Colorado Springs. 

The club’s first stop is at Orange County SC at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Colorado Springs (1-0-1) has yet to lose, while the hosts are searching for their first win with two draws. 

The California club will look to build off its last time out in league play. Trailing by a goal late against rival Phoenix Rising FC on March 14, Orange County defender Nico Benalcázar scored an equalizer in second-half stoppage time to earn a draw. 

Colorado Springs, on the other hand, earned a 3-2 win in its home opener last week, despite giving up a two-goal lead late to Las Vegas Lights FC. 

While Switchbacks coach Alan McCann has been vocal about his team needing to clean up mistakes so players can better preserve a lead, he also preached ball dominance in every game after the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match on Tuesday. 

“Doesn’t matter that we’re going away. Going there, it’s another chance for us to keep going to a solid start in getting four points in the two games,” McCann said. “Whether we’re home or away, going there as the aggressor, going there to control the game, and going there to showcase what we’ve got with all this talent.”

McCann added that forward Yosuke Hanya, who was unavailable for the club’s Open Cup match, is dealing with a lower-body injury that isn’t serious and he may return to the lineup this weekend. 

Forward Kyle Vassell has been unavailable in the team’s two league matches and Open Cup contest. McCann called his absence an “internal” matter. 

Lakewood’s Jahan takes next step with Open Cup start 

Rashed Jahan has played for Colorado Springs Switchbacks II since the club began in 2024, helping the team win five trophies. 

This year, the 20-year-old forward from Lakewood signed an academy contract with the Switchbacks’ first team, allowing him to compete with the team in the USL Championship and in the Open Cup without forgoing NCAA eligibility. 

In Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Azteca FC, Jahan started. 

“Obviously, I feel amazing, I feel happy making my debut in front of the fans. It’s a great feeling. I’ve been waiting for this moment, now it happened. Really glad and grateful,” he said. 

“It’s a great feeling, to be honest, training with them, playing with the pros. I’ve been training, dreaming for this moment ever since I started kicking a ball.”

Jahan played more than 60 minutes Tuesday. His name may be called again as the Switchbacks host USL League One team Spokane Velocity FC in the second round of the Open Cup on April 1. 

Echevarria, Burner and Lacroix called up to international duty

Switchbacks midfielder Steven Echevarria and defenders Markhus “Duke” Lacroix and Patrick Burner have been selected to represent their respective countries, the team announced. 

Burner will join Martinique, Echevarria will play for Puerto Rico and Lacroix will play for Haiti. 

The trio will be unavailable for the Switchbacks’ match on March 28 at New Mexico United.