Burgundy Boys on Loan, Week 21

Major League Soccer may have had its All-Star Game this week (minus one player that impacts the Colorado Rapids this weekend), but for the United Soccer League, playoff battles are in full swing.

For Colorado Springs and Charlotte (who are off this weekend), now is the time to get going on a run and for Phoenix, it is time to have a short-term memory.

Here is how the Burgundy Boys on Loan did this past weekend:

Charlotte Independence 1:1 Penn FC

The Jacks were back in action in Matthews over the weekend and were unable to find a winner in a 1-1 draw with Penn FC. The tie saw their record drop to 1-5-5 (8 points) in their last 11 matches. Andrew Dykstra started and played the full 90 for the Jacks and picked up one save on two shots. Ricardo Perez saw extended action, going 45 minutes for Charlotte. Perez 18 total touches and did not register a shot on goal.

Caleb Calvert and Sam Vines did not make an appearance for the Jacks.

Rio Grande Valley FC 1:0 Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

The Switchbacks season of confusion continues as Colorado Springs dropped a 1-0 loss on the road after giving up an 83rd minute goal. Sam Hamilton started and played 90 minutes for the Switchbacks registering 77 touches and a 90% passing accuracy rating.

Niki Jackson (who played for the Rapids) and Kip Colvey did not make an appearance for Colorado Springs.

Real Monarchs SLC 4:1 Phoenix Rising FC

Ugh. Not only did Rising get smacked 4-1 on the road, Mike da Fonte picked up a yellow card and an own goal for Phoenix as they suffered their heaviest defeat of the year. It was an old fashioned beat down and saw Phoenix drop six points behind in the Western Conference.

Saturday, August 4, 2018

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (8-12-4, 28 Points) vs OKC Energy FC (6-11-5, 23 Points)

Location: Weidner Field—Colorado Springs, Colorado—6:00 PM MDT

What to Watch For: I have said this many times before, if the Switchbacks are going to be a force in the Western Conference, and make the playoffs, they need to find a way to play more consistent football. They need to take their chances and convert those chances. They are at home again, playing an Oklahoma City team that has struggled on the road. The Rapids loaned Micheal Azira to the Switchbacks earlier this week and he is available on Saturday, so he could provide some support in the midfield, but anything less than three points will be a massive disappointment.

How to Watch: This match, and all USL matches, can be streamed at ESPN+ (subscription required)

Sunday, August 5, 2018

Portland Timbers 2 (10-9-2, 32 Points) vs Phoenix Rising FC (11-5-5, 38 Points)

Location: Providence Park—Portland, Oregon—3:00 PM MDT

What to Watch For: Phoenix is coming off their roughest outing of the year and play a Timbers 2 team that will be up for this one. This is a winnable match for Rising, but they will need to forget quickly the butt whipping they took in Sandy last weekend.

How to Watch: This match, and all USL matches, can be streamed at ESPN+ (subscription required)