Micheal Azira made his debut for Colorado Springs Switchbacks on Saturday in their 2-0 home win over OKC Energy, three days after joining on loan from the Colorado Rapids.
The Uganda international played in the midfield, alongside Rapids teammate Sam Hamilton. Both started the contest and played the full 90 minutes, as the Switchbacks scored their first goals and claimed their first win in three games.
Victory lifted Steve Trittschuh’s team to ninth in the Western Conference of the USL. The top eight sides win a place in the postseason. Three points separate the Switchbacks from sixth spot, though they have played more games than all of the teams above them.
The Switchbacks head to Tulsa Roughnecks this Saturday. The Roughnecks are bottom of the standings, with just one win in their 20 games, and were defeated 4-2 by the Switchbacks last month.
Two goals from Chris Cortez helped Phoenix Rising FC to a 4-1 win at Portland Timbers 2 on Sunday. On-loan Rapids defender Mike da Fonte played the entire game, as Phoenix moved back to within three points of leaders Real Monarchs SLC, who were without a game at the weekend.
The Rapids’ USL affiliate, Charlotte Independence, did not play last weekend, and as a result were overtaken in the Eastern Conference by Ottawa Fury and Bethlehem Steel. They now sit 10th in the standings, two points off the playoff places. Their next game is this Wednesday, when they host Bethlehem Steel.
