Monarchs face must win match at Colorado Springs

While the 14th match of a 34 game season seems a unlike candidate for a must win situation, the Monarchs are still without a win on the road and 4 points below a three way log jam at the bottom playoff position. With a couple games in hand on all the teams in the race for that final playoff spot, what better place for that first road victory and their first two game win streak to kick start their 2019 season?

The Switchbacks are one of only two teams below Real Monarchs in the Western Conference standings with 14 points in 15 matches and a -10 goal differential. Colorado Springs is also coming into this match only 7 days removed from a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Monarchs last opponent, Rio Grande Valley FC, on the long road trip down to Edinburg, Texas. The Monarchs have had two weeks off to get the team healthy and firing on all cylinders.

Even at home on Weidner Field, the Switchbacks have struggled to a 3-4-0 record and a -2 goal differential. The only home match in which Colorado Springs have scored more than a single goal is a 3-0 victory over the bottom-dwelling Tacoma Defiance. Three of their four loses at home also saw the Switchbacks held scoreless by the visiting teams.

The Monarchs have have not been held scoreless since March and have averaged a little over two goals a matches since that 1-0 defeat in Las Vegas. Maikel Chang and Douglas Martinez, in particular, have been finding the goal and confidence over the past few matches.

With only Jack Blake and Sam Brown listed on the injury report, the Monarchs should also be able to field a first choice midfield and defense without the younger developmental academy players who are at the Developmental Academy playoffs in Oceanside. Look for a goalkeeper and other midfield support down on loan from Real Salt Lake.

The action begins at 7 PM Mountain Time and can be streamed live on ESPN+ following the RSL match in Chicago .