Colorado Springs Switchbacks Offseason Recap

Colorado Springs, Colo. – It has been a full season since the Colorado Springs Switchbacks lifted the USL Championship trophy for the first time in their history. Now, the Switchbacks approach a pivotal 2026 USLC season where several changes to the staff and roster have begun. The club is looking to reestablish themselves as a USL heavyweight. 

No time was wasted bringing change after a 2025 season that did not live up to the standards of the 2024 championship. The Black and Blue finished 8th in the Western Conference standings after an up and down season. Entering the playoffs, the team fell to USL Championship finalists, FC Tulsa, 1-0 in extra time. Former Colorado Hailstorm player Stefan Lukić scored the winner.

After a disappointing season, the club chose to part ways with Sporting Director, Stephen Hogan and Head Coach, James Chambers. The move was a surprise as Hogan and Chambers led the squad to that historic title-winning season in 2024 and five consecutive postseason appearances. The answer to the disappointing season came in the form of Alan McCann, the club’s former Technical Director and Assistant Coach. 

McCann joined in 2021 as a Performance and Technical Analyst and the organization has chosen to stay close to home with the hire, which the club hopes will usher in a successful era. McCann and the club will have high ambitions for the 2026 season and hope to continue winning titles, as USL prepares to launch a Division One League in the 2027/28 season.

Read More: Switchbacks Fired the Boss to Hire the Assistant: What Alan McCann Means for D1 Ambitions

Off the field isn’t the only place the organization has turned to bring change ahead of the 2026 season. On the field, offseason preparations have already taken place, as several new signings and key returning players were announced by the club. 

Several key players have re-signed deals. Forward and fan favorite, Juan Tejada, signed with the club through the 2027 season with a club option in 2028. Tejada was a key player of the 2024 USL Championship roster, scoring the title winning goal and earning the final MVP. Captain Matt Mahoney has signed an offseason extension for 2026, just like he did last year. He’ll look to add to his club record minutes and matches played.

Rapids 2 loanee, midfielder, Yosuke Hanya also signed through the 2026 and 2027 USL seasons. Hanya carried a massive impact for the Switchbacks while on loan, appearing in 73 matches and tallying six goals and 10 assists. The club also announced that midfielder Aidan Rocha signed a new contract for the 2026 and 2027 USL seasons. Rocha joined in 2024, since then, Rocha appeared in 55 matches, scoring two goals and assisting twice. 

Four-time USL Championship title winner, midfielder Speedy Williams was also signed for the 2026 and 2027 USL seasons. Williams joined in 2022, and made 72 appearances, becoming an integral role of the 2024 title winning season. Williams returns to Colorado Springs after competing during the 2025 season with Lexington SC, recording 25 appearances. 

Most of the club’s movings this offseason have been two-year deals, signaling they see the Alan McCann as a two-year cycle, at least to start.

Goalkeeper Colin Shutler joined through the 2027 USL season with an option for 2028. Shutler arrives after a strong performance with Orange County SC, with 93 appearances and 33 clean sheets. Defender Patrick Burner was also signed through the 2027 season with an option for 2028. Burner joins from North Carolina FC and remains a reliable defensive option developing through the professional French league at the OGC Nice academy and first team. 

Midfielder Frank Daroma also signed through the 2027 season. Daroma joins from El Paso Locomotive FC, where he became a regular contributor, recording one goal and four assists and making 36 appearances. Just this week, the club confirmed the signing of forward Sadam Masereka and Talen Maples. Masereka, an Ugandan youth international was just taken in the MLS SuperDraft by Sporting KC. Maples comes over via transfer from rival New Mexico United where he was a regular goal scorer and was second in goals last season.

While the Switchbacks have made several signings, there are some notable departures including defender Matt Real and midfielder Anthony Fontana. The club announced roster decisions and Real and Fontana are key members out of contract. Real was a key part of the Championship winning side in 2024. After facing injuries during the 2025 season, Real has moved on to Hartford Athletic. Fontana is out of contract and awaiting his next move. They’ve also added Adrien Perez, who was a contributor but not the guy at Louisville City at forward on a two-year deal. Forward Khori Bennett comes over from Sacramento Republic, you guessed it, on a two-year deal.

At time of publishing, COS has 20 rostered players. They’re probably good at forward. They could use another midfielder or two and a defender before turning to academy signings or loans from MLS teams.

The 2026 season will serve as a massive turning point as the club navigates a front office shake-up, key departures, and important signings. 

Colorado Springs hopes to return to the success of two years ago as they open their season on March 7th, on the road in El Paso.

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