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Gameday Previews – Thursday, May 5

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 05/04/22, 2:00PM EDT

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Colorado Springs aims to continue its strong start as Rio Grande Valley visits Weidner Field


Photo courtesy Isaiah J. Downing / Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

Five consecutive days of action in Week 9 of the 2022 USL Championship season resumes on Thursday as current Western Conference leader Colorado Springs is in action looking to continue its best start to a season in club history.

Here’s a look ahead to the action.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. Rio Grande Valley FC

Venue: Weidner Field
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: COS 49%, RGV 24%, Draw 27%

The Lowdown: Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC will try to claim its eighth victory in nine games to start the 2022 USL Championship season when it hosts Rio Grande Valley FC on Thursday night. The Switchbacks claimed a second consecutive win this past Saturday in a 3-0 victory on the road against Oakland Roots SC as Hadji Barry recorded a goal and assist and Michee Ngalina and Zach Zandi both found the net, but it was goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell who played arguably the biggest role in the win, posting a five-save shutout that kept the side in the game in his best performance so far after arriving this offseason. RGVFC, meanwhile, is hoping to rebound from a 2-1 defeat to Orange County SC at H-E-B Park in its most recent outing as it tries to claim its third win all-time on the road in Colorado Springs. The Toros have been led this season by forward Frank Lopez – whose next appearance will be his 100th in the Championship’s regular season – with the Cuban having recorded four goals and one assist this league campaign. Lopez’s success has filled the gap left by the Toros’ 2021 leading scorer Elvis Amoh, who after his move to Colorado Springs last offseason could face his former club for the first time this season.

Spotlight Players
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – Zach Zandi:
The 25-year-old midfielder has notched two goals and three assists so far for the Switchbacks, adding to the attack that has seen four different players record multiple goals this season.

Rio Grande Valley FC – Emilio Ycaza: The creative midfielder has been one of the Toros’ most positive players so far this season with 11 chances created in eight starts and will need to make an impact if the visitors are to earn a result on the road.

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