COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – A new club-record crowd was on hand as Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC took a 1-0 win against the Portland Timbers 2 in the USL Game of the Week on ESPN3 on Friday night at Switchbacks Stadium. The Switchbacks (5-2-0, 15pts) took the lead seven minutes into the second half off a set piece when Christian Ibeagha had his header saved, but Mike Seth put home the rebound. Portland (3-5-1, 10pts) created some openings, the best coming with seven minutes to go when Michael Gallagher flicked a header wide from a corner kick, but the hosts held on to claim their second consecutive victory.

Scoring:

52’ – COS – Mike Seth (Christian Ibeagha)

Three Things That Matter:

1. The Switchbacks welcomed a sellout crowd, and rewarded their fans with another home win as they moved to 3-0-0 at Switchbacks Stadium this season. Colorado Springs, thanks to its altitude, has been one of the most difficult places for opponents to visit since the start of 2015, with the side going 13-3-2 at home including the playoffs, and now sit a point behind the LA Galaxy II with two games in hand.

2. Both defenses were very solid throughout, which meant most of the best chances on the night came from set pieces. The Switchbacks were able to take advantage of one of theirs as Mike Seth notched his third goal to go with three assists this season so far, while Portland’s just went begging, particularly as T2 pushed for an equalizer.

3. Switchbacks captain Luke Vercollone hasn’t put up the eye-popping numbers of a season ago so far, but watching him you can see how instrumental he is to the side at both ends of the field. The 34-year-old still has a remarkable engine as a box-to-box midfielder, and put in another strong shift to lead his side to victory on Friday night.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Mike Seth, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – Seth notched the game-winning goal for the hosts, and had a solid all-around contest to lead Colorado Springs’ attack to its third consecutive home win this season.

Upcoming Games:

May 21: Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Arizona United SC, 10:30 p.m. ET, Peoria Sports Complex

May 20: Portland Timbers 2 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, 10:30 p.m. ET, Providence Park