Switchbacks fate far from glamorous

COLORADO SPRINGS» It isn’t glorious by any means. Their locker room is housed in a temporary trailer, the stadium is akin to that of your high school and the glory goes nearly unnoticed. Still, it is pro soccer and these players are just one step away from MLS.

Some players choose this fate but most are placed there. Each one who plays for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks desires to advance his career to the next level.

This past October, the Switchbacks became the United Soccer League (USL) affiliate of the Rapids. It entails at least four players on season-long loan to the second-tier club and several others assigned on a weekly basis. Because the two clubs are so close in geography, the arrangement has allowed the organizations to work closer than the Rapids were able to in the past, having spent the prior four seasons with Charlotte Independence.

Rapids youngster Sam Vines still lives in Colorado Springs and a few of the Switchbacks commute from Denver.

The daily drive they make is telling in the sense that these guys want to make a permanent residence in the Mile High City.

“I want to be on the first team and I think if I keep my performance high, I will get there,” Abdul Rwatubyaye said.

Rwatubyaye was acquired in a trade by the Rapids from Kansas City in May and was quickly loaned to Colorado Springs. Rwatubyaye, a Rwandan defender, is in his first season playing in America and has called four stadiums home in the past year, having spent time with Sporting’s affiliate, Swole Park, before coming to Colorado.

“I’m all over the place, I wasn’t expecting (the transactions),” he said. “It’s been a long time since I had been playing so I’m happy to do that. I’m getting back to my form and fitness.”

This isn’t how the 22year-old envisioned he would start his North American soccer career, though he is finally receiving consistent playing time, starting in seven matches to date.

Three years younger than Rwatubyaye, Matt Hundley knew this was probably his path. He was the ninth development academy player to sign a first-team contract with the Rapids when he did so in January.

Hundley, a forward from Littleton, came up through the Rapids’ academy before going to UCLA where he led the team in scoring as a freshman.

“It’s been tough,” Hundley said about playing in the USL. “I’ve been challenged way more than I was at the collegiate level. It’s faster, stronger and better overall.”

Hundley is yet to score in his 14 games, only six of which have been starts, and that contrast has been tough with his track record of producing on the offensive end of the pitch.

“It’s challenging trying to break into the starting group (with the Switchbacks) but a good experience as far as challenging me and fighting for minutes,” Hundley said. “The whole mentality, you’re training as hard as you can all week and then there’s a game on the weekend. Just having to be professional on all levels.”

Rwatubyaye and Hundley could be a big part of the Rapids’ future.

Each is a younger player at a position of need. Weidner Field must feel a hundred miles away from Dick’s Sporting Goods Park — and it nearly is — but in reality, the Switchbacks are just one step from the big time.

“I just try to work as hard as I can,” Hundley said. “Keep my head down and that way I can get back to MLS. Hopefully, my time will come.”