There is extra motivation for first-place Colorado Springs when it travels to battle third-place Los Angeles on Saturday night.

The Switchbacks want to show they are a better team than the one that lost 3-2 April 23 behind three goals for United Soccer League leading scorer Jack McBean (11 goals, two assists). Since that setback, Colorado Springs is 4-0-1 in USL play and 2-0 in U.S. Open Cup action.

That streak propelled the Switchbacks (7-2-1) into first place in the Western Conference with the Vancouver Whitecaps II (6-1-4) with one game in hand.

“The three goals we gave up were really uncharacteristic,” Switchbacks coach Steve Trittschuh said. “One came off a penalty that nine times out of 10 isn’t called and the other two were defensive breakdowns. We are playing well right now and we need to continue that this weekend.”

“The important thing is it’s an opportunity to pick up road points against a good team.”

The Galaxy II (5-2-6) are more than just McBean, Switchbacks defender Josh Suggs said.

“Their whole team is talented and they have some great players,” Suggs said. “But we think we are better than them if we play the way we are capable. We want to hold the first-place position.”

A win over Los Angeles would add to the Switchbacks standings cushion, help them keep pace with Vancouver and set themselves up to win the three-game season series when LA visits Sept. 3.

Suggs said the key for the Switchbacks’ strong play has been team chemistry, which has helped them overcome some roster shuffling.

“This team has each other’s backs at all times,” he said. “It’s like a family. I know people always say that but you can just feel it around this group.”

The 8:30 p.m. game will be streamed live on gazettedev.gazette.com.