Two of the top three teams in the Western Conference will square off on Monday night with San Diego Loyal SC looking to complete a season sweep of Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC after the sides played a five-goal thriller earlier this month at Weidner Field.

Here’s a look ahead to the action.

San Diego Loyal SC vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

Venue: Torero Stadium
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: SD 44%, COS 32%, Draw 24%

The Lowdown: Third-placed San Diego Loyal SC will try to close the gap to second-placed Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC as the sides meet for the second time this season on Monday night at Torero Stadium. SD Loyal claimed a 3-2 victory when the teams met on July 4 as Evan Conway scored a late winner for the visitors despite San Diego having been reduced to 10 men with 25 minutes to go after Grant Stoneman was sent off for his second cautionable offense. San Diego is looking to rebound from its last outing, however, which saw the LA Galaxy II take a 5-0 win at Torero Stadium on July 9. The Switchbacks also squared off with Los Dos in their most recent outing this past Friday night but found more success as Hadji Barry recorded one goal and two assists in a 4-2 victory that also saw Elvis Amoh score twice and Michee Ngalina find the net. Barry now sits on 11 goals and a league-leading eight assists this season, with the 2021 Championship MVP continuing his standout form of a season ago. With a five-point lead over SD Loyal entering the contest, Colorado Springs could solidify its path to a top two finish and keep the pressure on San Antonio FC at the top of the standings if it can turn the tables and earn a split of the season series.

Spotlight Players
San Diego Loyal SC – Kyle Vassell: The Northern Ireland forward can return from a two-game suspension on Monday night and will be eager to add to his team-leading 10 goals this season.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – Hadji Barry: The 2021 Championship MVP scored both goals for the Switchbacks when the teams met for the first time this season and has five goals and two assists in the past four games.