The Colorado Springs Switchbacks of the United Soccer League (USL) Championship closed out their regular season with a pair of wins against bottom-dwelling Monterey Bay FC and fellow playoff side FC Tulsa to secure their spot in the 2026 postseason.
In Monterey, CA, the Switchbacks squeaked out a 1-0 win courtesy of longtime fan favorite Juan Tejada, who scored the only goal. This win clinched the Switchbacks’ playoff spot, though due to other results going into the final day, Colorado Springs needed to win and Lexington SC to lose in order to secure a home playoff game.
The Switchbacks held up their end of the bargain in a revenge game, as FC Tulsa knocked them out of the playoffs last season. An early penalty conversion from striker Khori Bennett, his 15th of the season, had the hosts up 1-0. Unfortunately for the Switchbacks, a second yellow card for Patrick Burner in first-half stoppage time meant that they had to defend their lead for the second half. Though Tulsa ramped up the pressure as the game went on, Sam Williams scored his first-ever goal for the team to make it 2-0 and end the regular season on a high note.
Unfortunately for the Switchbacks, Lexington scored a late equalizer in their final game, meaning that Colorado Springs will most likely not host playoff games in 2026. The Switchbacks travel to Lexington for the first round of the playoffs on Nov. 1.
Considering how thin the margins in the Western Conference were this season, the Switchbacks have every chance of going on a playoff run, but unlike in 2024, they’ll need to do it on the road.