By Mythsouka Jean-Philippe

In an intense and highly contested match, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks managed to dismiss Orange County SC (3-1) after drawing 1-1 at the end of regulation time. This quarter-final of the USL Championship kept all its promises, and it was ultimately the Colorado team which qualified for the semi-final, where it will face Rhode Island FC.

An electric start to the match

From the first minutes of the match, Orange County SC took the lead. In the 4th minute, Ethan Zubak opened the scoring for the visitors, taking advantage of a defensive error by Colorado Springs. However, this lead did not last long, as Zachary Zandi, in the 10th minute, equalized for the Switchbacks with a well-placed shot, putting the two teams back on level terms.

An increasingly tactical encounter

After Zandi’s equalizer, the two teams looked at each other and tried to take control of the game, but neither team managed to score during the rest of regulation time. The duels multiply in midfield, and if Ronaldo Damus (former Orange County player) is particularly active in attack, he does not manage to find the fault before the end of normal time. He gave way to Justin Shane Dhillon in the 69th minute, a strategic change by the coach to bring more offensive freshness.

The turning point: the extinction of Orange County

As we enter overtime, it is in the 105th minute that Colorado Springs finally takes the lead. Zachary Zandi, already the author of the equalizer in the first period, scored a crucial double, propelling his team into the lead (2-1). Orange County SC struggles to react and quickly finds itself under pressure. In the 116th minute, the Switchbacks coach made one last change by bringing in Delentz Pierre in place of Matthew Joseph Real, thus strengthening the defense to hold on until the final whistle.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks, ready for the semifinals

After 120 minutes of play, the final score was 2-1 in favor of the Colorado Springs Switchbacks, who thus qualified for the semi-finals of the USL Championship. With Zachary Zandi on fire, and a solid collective, the Colorado team will continue its journey in the semi-final against Rhode Island FC, who also dominated their quarter-final.

The Haitians of the club, in particular Ronaldo Damus, who faced his former club, and Duke Lacroix, holder in this match, showed great qualities throughout the meeting. Despite everything, it was Zandi in great form who was the great architect of this victory.

Conclusion

The Colorado Springs Switchbacks were able to get back up after a difficult start to the match and managed their efforts in overtime to win this precious qualification. The semi-final promises to be just as competitive and the team will have to continue this momentum to hope to reach the final.

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