SAN ANTONIO – Defending USL Championship title holders San Antonio FC will begin its quest to become the second team to win consecutive titles in league history as it plays host to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2023 USL Championship Playoffs on Saturday night. Kickoff at Toyota Field is set for 9 p.m. ET. Here’s what you need to know.

How They Got Here

San Antonio FC (14-6-14, 56pts) – San Antonio FC continued to prove explosive in attack during the regular season as Minnesota United FC loanee Tani Olwaseyi recorded three hat tricks on his way to 17 goals while the side led the league with 63 tallies overall. The side was less consistent than a season ago defensively, however, which resulted in SAFC equaling the league record for draws in a regular season with 14. Those ups and downs came to a head in the final stretch of the season, when SAFC claimed only eight points from its final eight games to drop to the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference, the fewest of any team in the postseason.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (16-13-5, 53pts) – The Switchbacks had a very new look this year but maintained their streak of reaching the playoffs as former assistant Stephen Hogan ably stepped into the Head Coach role and produced some impressive results over the course of the campaign. Featuring an attack that saw Romario Williams equal his single-season best mark with 15 goals – and earn a recall to Jamaica’s national team in the process – the Switchbacks built momentum late in the season with a seven-game undefeated streak to close, including four wins in their last five games.

All-Time Series

San Antonio holds an 8-3-5 lead in the all-time series, and is undefeated in its last 10 games against the Switchbacks across the regular season and playoffs.

DraftKings Odds

San Antonio FC -155, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC +320, Draw +295

Opta Says

25 – There have been 25 goals scored in the opening 15 minutes of San Antonio FC games this season – 13 by SAFC and 12 by its opponents, which are both the highest totals in the league.

4 – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC recorded only four headed goals in the regular season, tied for the fewest in the Championship.

Players to Watch

San Antonio FC – Jorge Hernandez: The San Antonio newcomer claimed the Golden Playmaker award with 10 assists in the regular season and will look to provide creativity in midfield and the final third with his quality on the ball.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – James Musa: The New Zealand international has played an impressive role in the Switchbacks’ late-season run of form and will need to put in a big display against San Antonio’s physical attack.

Discipline Report

San Antonio FC – No suspensions

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – No suspensions