Metusala To Aid Switchbacks’ Title Defence

Just one day after it was confirmed that Garven Metusala had left Forge FC, the defender has been unveiled stateside with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.

The USL Championship side’s acquisition of the centre-back for the 2025 season is pending league and federation approval, and comes as a free transfer for the reigning league champions.

Metusala, 25, knows all about what it takes to win a league. The defender tallied 113 appearances in his four seasons with Forge FC, earning two domestic championships after arriving by way of the CPL-U SPORTS Draft in 2021.

“It’s truly an honor for me to sign for the reigning champions of the USL,” says Garven. “After talking with Stephen and James, it was clear to me that this was the right place. The project really spoke to me, and they made me feel like this would be the perfect next step for my career.”

The 2024 CPL season saw Metusala make thirty appearances overall, including playing for every possible minute in their continental bout against Chivas Guadalajara and in all four legs against Major League Soccer sides through domestic cup play.

He becomes the second former Forge player to land in the USL Championship this week, with Triston Henry signing with a Phoenix Rising side led by Pa-Modou Kah.

The defender began his career in Quebec’s semi-professional ranks, featuring for AS Blainville, St. Hubert, and SC Fabrose before pushing upwards to the professional level. In Canada’s top flight, he quickly cemented himself as a tireless and consistent performer with perennial title contenders Forge.

“We are delighted to welcome Garven to the club. He can become a consistent CB in our league with great composure on the ball and intelligence-reading games,” adds Sporting Director Stephen Hogan. “He’ll be a perfect locker room addition, too. His character will help the locker room, and we will help him develop on and off the field.”

Metusala’s strong spell in the Canadian Premier League saw him earn his chance with the Haiti national team, with the defender making eight appearances since his debut in 2022. He featured for every possible minute in their 2023 Gold Cup experience.

Forge FC has a tall order to replace the defender, who left in tandem with Malcolm Duncan and Dominic Samuel this offseason. How the Hammers’ backline will take shape for 2025 remains to be seen.

The Switchbacks also brought in former Whitecaps prospect Levonte Johnson ahead of their title defencse campaign.

Header Image Photo Credit: Jojo Yanjiao Qian / Forge FC