2026 US Open Cup Round 2: Colorado Springs Switchbacks control game, but need PKs to oust Spokane

If you had told the Colorado Springs Switchbacks that it would take 120 minutes and penalty kicks to get past the Spokane Velocity, they might have suggested it was an April Fool’s joke. However, that’s what the USL Championship squad needed — a 4-2 win on PKs after a 1-1 draw against the USL League One side — to secure a ticket to the Round of 32 in the US Open Cup.

The night started ominously as dark clouds erupted in freezing rain 30 minutes before kickoff. While the skies cleared up at kickoff, the temperature stayed at a chilly 48 degrees, keeping the hundreds of Switchbacks fans stay bundled up for the remainder of the game.

For Spokane, their temperature continued running cold, coming off a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of USL League One’s Charlotte Independence in league play. The USL Championship’s Switchbacks came in after losing to rival New Mexico United after surrendering the winning goal in injury time, falling 3-2. 

Both teams hoped to warm things up in their first-ever meeting.
For most of the evening, the field was tilted in the Switchbacks favor, dominating 70% of the possession. Despite the dominance, it would take until the 45th minute for the home team to break through with a Talen Maples left-footed goal for a 1-0 lead. The Switchbacks smothering defense kept the Velocity out of their penalty box altogether in the first half, not allowing them an offensive touch.

For much of the second half the story remained the same. Spokane didn’t notch a shot on goal until forcing Switchbacks keeper Christian Herrera into a save in the 60th minute. However, their strategy of staying compact defensively frustrated the Switchbacks all night.

Things looked secure for the Switchbacks to advance until the 87th minute when Spokane received a free kick off of a Colorado Springs handball. Velocity midfielder Joe Gallardo placed the free kick perfectly to Andrew Booth, who headed it past an outstretched Herrera for the equalizer at 1-1. 

Despite a hurried remaining four minutes of injury time, neither team scored, and the game advanced into extra time.

Colorado Springs pressed the attack in a frenzy to begin the extra time, garnering 11 of their 28 shots on goal in the final 30 minutes. Despite the shots, none of them challenged Spokane keeper Sean Lewis with zero shot on frame. As the Velocity’s legs became heavier between the minutes played and the altitude, they appeared content to take the game to penalty kicks.

The Switchbacks chose to play to the goal in front of their supporters section, and the hundreds that remained after two hours of rain and cold rushed to join the Trailheads as the noise in Weidner Field went from near deafening to silence as Colorado Springs, Khori Bennett lined up for the opening shot. 

They erupted as he buried it into the back of the to start the session. Up next came Spokane’s Anuar Jose Pelaez, who attempted to slide it to his bottom left, only to be saved by Herrera. Adrien Perez scored next for the Switchbacks, and Herrera again made a save, this time against Simon Fitch. Maples failed to convert on his kick, bouncing it off the woodwork. Mark Hernandez gave the visitors hope, converting his kick, as the home side’s Yosuke Hanya likewise converted his shot. 

Former Switchback Andre Lewis gave his current squad hope by converting his shot, setting the scene for the Switchbacks to win with a successful penalty kick. Then, 21-year-old Sadam Masereka stepped up and buried his chance, sending the Championship side on to the next round, and the visitors home empty handed.