A Friday night doubleheader kicks off the weekend in the USL Championship with a pair of clubs looking to find their shooting boots set to square off in the Eastern Conference before Western Conference contender Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC plays host to an LA Galaxy II side in red-hot attacking form.

Here’s a look ahead to the action.

New York Red Bulls II vs. Indy Eleven

Venue: MSU Soccer Park
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: NY 27%, IND 45%, Draw 27%

The Lowdown: The New York Red Bulls II and Indy Eleven will both try to break out of recent scoring droughts as they square off for the second time this season. Indy heads to MSU Soccer Park having been held scoreless in its last four outings after a 1-0 defeat at home to Detroit City FC last Saturday night at Michael A. Carroll Stadium. The Boys in Blue are looking for their first goal since Manuel Arteaga’s stoppage-time finish against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on June 18, a contest that began the current five-game losing streak the side is on. That run has dropped Indy six points behind seventh-placed Miami FC in the Eastern Conference standings, but the visitors will be hopefully of earning a positive result against a Red Bulls II side it defeated 2-0 earlier this season, with New York currently sitting with the lowest points total in the league. The Red Bulls II’s scoreless streak reached 516 minutes after a 6-0 defeat against Louisville City FC last Saturday night at Lynn Family Stadium, a result that sent the club’s winless streak to 16 games. New York is looking for its first win at home this season, too, but would put another dent into Indy’s hopes if it can find a revival under interim Head Coach Ibrahim Sekagya as he takes charge of his first home game since the departure of former Head Coach Gary Lewis.

Spotlight Players
New York Red Bulls II – Jeremy Rafanello: The attacking playmaker should square off against the club he scored his first professional goal for in the 2020 Championship season as the hosts try to get off the slide in the attacking third.

Indy Eleven – Solomon Asante: The two-time Championship MVP has yet to find the net in nine appearances for Indy after his midseason arrival and this game could present the opportunity to break through and reach 50 regular-season goals for his career.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. LA Galaxy II

Venue: Weidner Field
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: COS 55%, LA 23%, Draw 23%

The Lowdown: Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC will try to get things back on track after losing four of its last five outings overall and each of its past two as it kicks off a run of two games in four nights against an LA Galaxy II side vying to solidify its place in the playoff positions. The Switchbacks suffered a 1-0 defeat on the road against El Paso Locomotive FC last Saturday night, continuing their struggles at Southwest University Park where the side is now winless in six all-time visits. The result kept Colorado Springs four points behind San Antonio FC for first place in the Western Conference, but a win could put some pressure on SAFC as it returns to action after a bye this past weekend. To pick up all three points, Colorado Springs will need to contain a Los Dos attack that has scored 11 goals in the past three games after a 5-0 win on the road against San Diego Loyal SC last Saturday night. Leading the way against SD Loyal were Cameron Dunbar and Preston Judd, each of whom recorded two goals and one assist in the contest, with Judd now sitting third in the league with 11 goals this campaign. The Galaxy II are now in sixth place in the Western Conference standings, five points ahead of eighth-placed Las Vegas Lights FC, and a result on the road would further boost their playoff chances at the end of the season.

Spotlight Players
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – Michee Ngalina: The standout young winger has already recorded seven goals and five assists this season and should provide a strong test for the Galaxy II’s back line.

LA Galaxy II – Cameron Dunbar: The 19-year-old moved to six goals this season against San Diego and will need to be closely monitored by Colorado Springs wide defenders given the combination of skill and smarts he brings to the field.