Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC will try to rebound from a challenging setback on Monday night as they return home to host the Charleston Battery to open the weekend’s action in the USL Championship on Friday night.

Here’s a look ahead to the action.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. Charleston Battery

Venue: Weidner Field
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: COS 60%, CHS 18%, Draw 22%

The Lowdown: Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC will try to solidify its second-place position in the Western Conference standings as it plays host to the Charleston Battery for the first meeting between the clubs in their histories. Colorado Springs suffered a setback on Monday night as a short-handed squad fell 3-0 to San Diego Loyal SC, a result that both moved SD Loyal within two points of the Switchbacks in the standings and also gave the California club the head-to-head tiebreaker after sweeping the regular season series between the teams. The Switchbacks ended the contest with nine men after both Steven Echeverria and Aaron Wheeler were sent off for two cautionable offenses, leaving both suspended for Friday’s game. The hosts will hope to welcome replacements back from injury on Friday, with regular starters including goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell, Malik Johnson, Triston Hodge and Matt Mahoney all questionable per the club’s injury report. The Battery will also have two players sidelines for Friday game after defender Matt Sheldon was sent off against Hartford Athletic last Saturday and Romario Piggott received his eighth caution of the season to earn a one-game accumulation suspension, but the visitors have some positive momentum despite that after a 3-1 win against Hartford Athletic that saw Augustine Williams score twice at Patriots Point. Williams now sits with nine goals this season and will pose an attacking threat for the Battery.

Spotlight Players
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – Michee Ngalina: The exciting winger was held to only one shot and one chance created in San Diego on Monday and will want to put in a strong display as the Switchbacks try to rebound.

Charleston Battery – Enock Kwakwa: The Ghanaian scored his first goal in the Championship against Hartford and will try to hold down the central midfield alongside Dominic Oduro to provide a guard for the back line against Colorado Springs’ attack.