San Antonio FC is staring down a massive Friday night showdown in the Rocky Mountains against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, a game that could literally define their season. These two clubs are locked in a ridiculously tight battle for Western Conference playoff seeding, with SAFC currently holding fifth place at 9-5-9 with 36 points, just two points ahead of sixth-place Colorado Springs who sit at 10-9-4 with 34 points. This isn’t just another game; it’s a must-win clash with only seven regular-season games left for San Antonio.
The Cup Stings, But the Rhythm Is There
SAFC is coming off a brutal USL Cup semifinal elimination on Tuesday night at Toyota Field, losing to Louisville City FC in a penalty kick shootout. Talk about a gut punch. What makes it sting even more? San Antonio launched a whopping 22 shots in regulation, but just couldn’t find the back of the net to seal the win. That loss followed a frustrating 0-0 draw last Saturday against FC Tulsa, a result that let Tulsa hold onto fourth place in the conference. But coach Carlos Llamosa still sees positives. He told us, “The most important thing for me, as a coach, is that we’re getting in a good rhythm. We’re controlling the game, which is a positive thing. It’s different than those games that we lost in the past.” He believes it’s “a matter of one guy putting it in the back of the net to change the destiny of the game.” Meanwhile, Colorado Springs also got bounced from the USL Cup semis on Tuesday, falling 2-1 to Hartford Athletic. So both teams are coming into this match with that cup elimination fresh in their minds.
This Derby Is a Must-Win, Period.
This isn’t the first time these two have squared off this season, but this is easily the most important. SAFC holds a 1-0-1 record against the Switchbacks this year, including a wild 3-3 draw at Toyota Field back in May and a solid 2-1 win in Colorado Springs in June. This Friday, the stakes are sky-high, as both clubs are chasing points like crazy to secure their playoff spots. Colorado Springs isn’t just some pushover either; they’ve got Khori Bennett, who’s tied for the league lead with 13 goals. Coach Llamosa didn’t mince words about the urgency, saying, “Still a derby, like the table in the West is very tight. It’s very compact, so as I said, it’s a game that we need to not lose. We’re going to Colorado to try to get the three points and make sure we put ourselves in the top three on the table.”
Friday night’s kick-off from Weidner Field at 9 p.m. is more than just a game; it’s a playoff battle before the playoffs even start. With San Antonio FC needing to make a move into the top three, and Colorado Springs breathing down their neck, every single possession will matter. You won’t want to miss this one!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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