First Return Leg of Season in Tough Environment
Orange County’s first repeat opponent of the regular season is one who is becoming year by year a more competitive matchup. With the USL getting a little more consistent in its teams prospering we are beginning to formulate some rivalries that are not just based on geography. This can only be a good thing for league health. I do not believe that Colorado Springs of all teams is a matchup that OC circles on their calendar, and vice versa, but we are now entering into year 8 for some of Western Conference teams.
Against another long time Western Conference opponent, OC suffered quite possibly one of the strangest losses possible in a game they had a lead going into the 87th minute. With San Antonio’s win over the weekend that knocked OC down to second in the West but they are in the midst of some teams who have a game in hand. It is still very early in the year but this is going to be the most pivotal time of the year with OC on a massive Summer tour across the United States. Colorado Springs on the other hand are right at the playoff line with a very leaky defense. The offense is not the problem and perhaps the bloated schedule they have endured is part of it but the Switchbacks should be a playoff team.
THE OPPONENT - COLORADO SPRINGS SWITCHBACKS FC
The story of the game the first time these two teams met in 2026 was if Orange County was able to contain the offense of Colorado Springs. OC perfected the gameplan and held them to a clean sheet. The story of this game will be the exact same. Colorado Springs might only be 7th in the West as of this but they have the second high expected goals rate in the entire USL. Last week was a good example putting 3 goals past a strong San Antonio side but that game would end in a draw when they conceded 3 goals. But when it comes to cup games, Colorado Springs are able to turn into a defensive team. They won their opening league cup game against Phoenix (lol) via a 1-0 victory. The most impressive victory has to be when they dismantled Sporting Kansas City 3-0 in their US Open Cup second round game. So we are not exactly sure what Switchbacks side we will see on Friday night. But what has always been the case for Colorado Springs is they are a very good team at home. One of he highest elevation of any playing surface in North America may actually be a factor overall but in 2026 they are 2-0-1. Orange County have fared better than most teams but are still 2-4 all time there and across all competitions. Orange County did win last season there but Colorado Springs will not be a pushover.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
The first matchup put the focus on the goalkeeper for Colorado Springs in Colin Shutler. He may or may not get the start with appearances being split between him and Christian Herrera. So now we shift the topic to that of their leading goal scorer Khori Bennett. How good has 2026 been for Bennett? He is scoring at nearly a goal per game rate. He has netted 6 goals in 7 games in the league alone along with another 2 in 3 Open Cup games. He has already surpassed his mark from last season with Sacramento and in about half the games played. Khori Bennett was a major player during Las Vegas’s magical 2024 run. He has had minor success everywhere he has played yet but his best scoring pace has come with Colorado Springs. So when Colorado Springs can score against nearly everyone they have played Khori Bennett is the main reason why.
On the orange side of things, Yaniz Bazini was perhaps an overlooked signing late in preseason who has started to pay dividends. Bazini found his way to Orange County when South Georgia Tormenta folded right before the season started. Bazini in 9 appearances already has scored two goals which surprisingly is one short of tying MacKinnon for the team lead in that regard. I for one felt that Bazini should have started in the last match and those suspicions were guaranteed when he scored what should have been the game winning goal coming off the bench and doing so off a header. Orange County needs goals wherever and whoever it may come from.
PREDICTED STARTING XI
A win on Friday on the road against a Western Conference opponent would go a very long way. So to ensure this I expect OC to field a lineup of the best performing players. Rando in net with a backline in front of him who will look to rebound from last week. Nico Benalcazar will be at right mid as he is the best player off the bench in that position. MacKinnon leads the team in goals with Bazini one goal off of him so why not see both of them play. It is what we saw against San Antonio in what was their best yet so why not try again with it.
THE MATCHUP
Orange County have gotten the better of Colorado Springs in the last couple of games which was not always the case a couple of years ago. In two postseason appearances they have split that series at one apiece and both at home. Orange County does hold the slight advantage overall with 12 total wins to Colorado Springs’s 9. Orange County have been alright on the road in 2026 but this will only be the 5th road game in 2026. If Orange County can play solid defense which they have done for the most part all year long then this is a game that should favor them.
WHAT TO KNOW
Game - @ Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USL Championship)
When - May 8th, 6:00 PM PST
Where - Weidner Field (Colorado Springs, CO)
OCSC Form - LLDWW
COS Form - DLWWW
All-Time Series - 12-2-9 (23 Games)
TV - Paramount+ / CBS Sports Golazo Network