The Prematch Lookout: Rhode Island FC vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC - 8/8/2026

Rhode Island FC return to Tidewater on Saturday for a match against Colorado Springs Switchbacks. It will be the third time the teams have met, with the last being a pretty memorable one. It was the 2024 USL Championship Final in Colorado Springs. A game that was dominated by the Switchbacks from start to finish on their way to a 3-0 win and a trophy. The first meeting was a 3-1 Colorado Springs win earlier that season. But the final is the game everyone remembers.

Please allow me to reminisce a bit before getting into Saturday's game. What a bizarre experience that final was. A large group of RIFC supporters (myself included) made the flight out to Colorado Springs. The game was a local 10 a.m. kickoff in order to accommodate a noon eastern broadcast on CBS. I flew out the night before the game and due to some mishaps that I won't get into here, we didn't get to a hotel until sometime between 2 and 3 a.m. That meant a few hours of sleep before the strangest tailgate of my life. The team provided plenty of booze but there was also a breakfast food truck on site. The game happened and was terrible but at least we all got to drown our sorrows at an awesome food hall for several hours until catching a flight back.

But enough about all that. While it was fun to think back to that trip, the focus needs to be on the task at hand. Here's what to watch out for on Saturday:

Last Time Out

RIFC head into this game having lost 1-0 down in Birmingham last weekend. I thought it was a great performance for the first hour but the inability to get a goal while dominating play ended up being RIFC's downfall. RIFC nemesis Ronaldo Damus scored for Birmingham Legion in the 63rd minute after a defensive blunder and that was all it took to get the three points. There was zero response from RIFC after the goal. Extremely disappointing.

Players to Watch

Hamady Diop (CB)

• Diop returned to the squad last weekend after missing several games due to injury. He's a very important part of the RIFC back line as he's the only left-footed CB and he's really good on the ball. He should be getting a start Saturday night

Hugo Bacharach (MF)

• Hugo has been one of RIFC's most consistent players this season, especially over the past two months. His defensive work in the middle of the field and his ability to pop up in dangerous areas have been huge for the team

Yutaro Tsukada (FW)

• I wrote about Tsukada in the last blog as I was hoping he would be in the squad last weekend. He was in fact on the bench and he came on in the 70th minute. To be honest, I didn't see much from him but given that he had only just joined the team and he came into a game where the team were disjointed, I'm not making any judgements. I would like to see him start Saturday night in front of the home crowd and hopefully he can show what he's capable of

Storyline

Bounce Back at Home

As I wrote in the Riptide Report, last weekend's game was incredibly frustrating. We've seen plenty of games where the team doesn't play well and they lose. But I'm more upset when the team plays well and doesn't take advantage. Saturday's game is going to be about how the team responds to last week's setback. They need to keep climbing up the table. This will be a good challenge against a strong team in Colorado Springs which means the team has every opportunity to rise to the occasion and push on from here.

Last Time Out

The Switchbacks fell 1-0 at New Mexico United last Saturday. In a way, it was pretty similar to RIFC's loss against Birmingham Legion. The Switchbacks dominated on the stat sheet with 21 shots (6 on target), 34 touches in the opposition box, 2 big chances, and 14 corners. But they weren't able to score and early in the second half, New Mexico got the game's only goal. A long ball from a free kick in their defensive third eventually made its way to New Mexico RB Maliek Howell who found himself in plenty of space to get off a shot from just inside the box. That lack of being alert ended up being the reason Colorado Springs came away with nothing.

Players to Watch

Isaiah Foster (LB)

• Foster started his professional career with Colorado Springs before moving to FC Cincinnati in 2023. He returned to the Switchbacks ahead of the 2025 season. Still just 22 years old (turning 23 in less than a week), he's a dangerous player down the left

Adrien Perez (MF/FW)

• Perez joined the Switchbacks after spending the last two seasons in Louisville. He has 4 goals and an assist so far in the league this year and has been a big addition in Colorado Springs. He'll certainly be one to watch in the Switchback's attack

Khori Bennett (FW)

• Bennett is tied with Detroit City's Darren Smith for the most goals in the league this season (11). He's been a huge part of a Colorado Springs attack that is 5th in goals scored (28). Bennett will be the focal point and main man to watch when the Switchbacks are going forward

Storyline

Get Back to Taking Your Chances

The Switchbacks have scored 10 goals in their last 5 games in all competitions. That includes of course the zero they got in their last game. With a defense that's been middle of the road this year, the attack is what's carried them to 6th in the Western Conference, just three points off third. As I already pointed out, it was an inability to take their chances last weekend that lead to their 1-0 loss. If they make sure that was just an anomaly, they'll be in great shape on Saturday.

Prediction

Rhode Island FC 2-2 Colorado Springs Switchbacks

As much as I'd love to pick an RIFC win here, I can see this ending in a draw. The Switchbacks have a great attack and I think they'll get some goals. A big home crowd at Tidewater should help RIFC to put some in the back of the net themselves. I'm not going to go too bold but I will say I'm predicting a goal contribution for Yutaro Tsukada.

As always, I can't wait to be back at Tidewater on Saturday. I'm even going to make the trek up to 205 as my leg has started to get better. It's worth it for the view anyway. I'll be back after the game with the Riptide Report, which fingers crossed ends up being a happy one. Until then, UP THE TIDE!