“Go and find the game.” 

That’s something Colorado Springs Switchbacks coach Alan McCann has told forward Yosuke Hanya this season. 

It’s not just good advice on the pitch; it tells the story of Hanya’s soccer journey. 

Before the 27-year-old winger scored his second goal in three games last week against New Mexico United, and before he helped the Switchbacks capture their first USL Championship title in 2024, he was a younger player in his hometown of Tokyo with dreams of becoming a professional. 

Hanya rose up through FC Tokyo’s youth system from 2011 to 2016. He also earned a spot on Japan’s U-16 team in 2014 and its U-19 national team in 2018. 

But he knew that he’d have to travel in order to put himself in a position to play professionally. 

“I wanted to play in the U.S.,” Hanya said. “The NCAA, it’s a good pathway for players to go to even bigger leagues, like MLS.”

Hanya went where the game took him and played for the University of Massachusetts from 2018 to 2021. In 46 appearances, he recorded 17 assists and scored twice. 

Much like he surmised, Hanya’s collegiate career led him to the MLS, where he played for Colorado Rapids 2 of MLS NEXT Pro. He played over 4,100 minutes across 50 appearances and scored 17 goals and earned 13 assists with Rapids 2. In 2023, he helped the club to a first-place finish in the Western Conference through the regular season and an appearance in the conference final. During that time, Hanya also made two appearances for the Rapids’ first team.

It was the training, however, that proved most valuable to Hanya. He competed daily with talented players like Darren Yapi, who is a Colorado-born forward who plays for the Rapids’ first team, and Rémi Cabral, who plays for FC Tulsa in the USL Championship.

“I got to practice with the first-team players and I learned a lot from those players,” he said. “One thing I learned … just be decisive in front of the goal, just be confident as an attacking player.”

Since leaving Japan, Hanya has had to adjust to the style of play in the United States, which he said is more focused on physicality, speed and being direct. 

Even now, it’s a work in progress. McCann said Hanya was frustrated with his lack of numbers this season. He scored his first goal of the season at San Antonio FC as the Switchbacks capitalized on a mistake by the keeper. 

Last week against New Mexico, he scored by improvising. On a Colorado Springs counterattack, he positioned himself at the center instead of outside as he usually does due to the pace of the particular play. Fellow forward Jonas Fjeldberg sent him the ball mid-stride, and Hanya finished for the club’s second goal of the evening.  

“We talked about that. He was quite frustrated; as a winger, sometimes he doesn’t get enough of the ball, doesn’t get involved,” McCann said. “Go find the game. You’re good enough to go in central, go beyond.” 

Finding the game has brought Hanya away from home to the NCAA to MLS NEXT Pro to the USL Championship and Colorado Springs, where he’s made a new home with his teammates and the supporters. 

“I love the fan base here,” Hanya said. “The fans are really, really amazing. They bring a lot of energy to the team. That’s something I like about this team and obviously the coaching staff and the whole organization. They really support players.”

BREAKOUT BOX

Late-night bout in Vegas 

(2-2-4) Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at (2-5-2) Las Vegas Lights FC, 8:30 p.m.

Back to work

McCann said his team is eager to return to USL Championship regular-season play and has some work to do in the standings. Currently, the Switchbacks sit in ninth place in the Western Conference, but Colorado Springs has two games in hand on conference leaders San Antonio FC and Orange County SC.

Scoring leaders 

USL Championship regular-season stats only

Goals 

COS: Khori Bennett (7, ties league lead)

LV: Johnny Rodriguez (5)

Assists 

COS: Sadam Masereka, Sam Williams (2)

LV: Christian Pinzon (3)