COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC takes on the Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday evening at Weidner Field with T2 entering the contest last in the Western Conference standings and a league-fewest two wins this season.

Despite that, though, the Switchbacks are wary of their opponent, who they believe has played far better than the win-loss record shows.

“They’re a really good team,” Switchbacks forward Masta Kacher told SwitchbacksFC.com’s Roland Vargish. “The first game we defended a lot because they really pushed us. It’s not about the opposition and where they stand, it’s about our mentality and how we play the game. We must show our heart and fight.”

That first meeting of the season on May 10 at Providence Park ended in a 0-0 draw in a tightly-fought contest that saw both defenses perform well. The Switchbacks are hoping to get out on the front foot and press T2 more in this encounter, as Portland held a 64-36 percent possession edge in the first meeting, and moved the ball well as it registered 576 passes to Colorado Springs’ 301.

READ MORE: 1868 FC Fan Brings the Noise on the Road

Pressing the ball high was key for the Switchbacks in their 2-1 victory against Seattle Sounders FC 2 this past Saturday, which pushed the team into sixth place in the USL Western Conference standings. Colorado Springs made 16 possession recoveries in S2’s half during the contest, which helped the side break forward quickly into attack.

“We discovered last weekend how we have to play,” Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh told Vargish. “We have to press high on our opponents and we have to continue to play that way – especially at home in front of our fans and with the players we have.”

Colorado Springs will receive the boost of having Kevaughn Frater available again after serving a one-game suspension for caution accumulation against S2. The Jamaican is tied for the team-high with six goals alongside defender Jordan Burt, and with four assists alongside Kacher, meaning he’s played a role in 32 percent of the Switchbacks’ goals this season.

With the race for the USL Cup Playoffs entering a key stretch, though, Trittschuh will take a win against T2 any way it can.

“We have to win,” said Trittschuh. “Keep winning and we’ll be able to hold off teams like Orange County and get ourselves where we need to be. We have to win on Saturday. Nothing else will do.”