This week could prove to be an opportunity or the start of a downturn for Colorado Springs with two games in four days against the Real Monarchs Salt Lake this week.

After falling on the road at San Antonio last weekend to end a six-game (4-0-2) league unbeaten streak, the third-place Switchbacks (7-3-2) can ill afford a three-game losing skid.

Two wins and the subsequent six points would move the Switchbacks back atop or near first place in the United Soccer League Western Conference standings (currently led by 8-2-4 Vancouver).

Two wins would reverse 10th-place RM SLC’s slower-than-expected start and propel it into playoff contention.

“There is a lot at stake this week,” Colorado Springs coach Steve Trittschuh said.

Colorado Springs hosts RM SLC (4-7-4) at 1:30 p.m. Sunday and at 7 p.m. June 29. The Wednesday game is a rescheduled contest after an April trifecta of snow, sleet and rain made Switchbacks Stadium unplayable.

Trittschuh expects a strong challenge from the affiliate team of Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake. They include leading scorer Ricardo Velazco (15 points, six goals) and El Salvadoran standout Maikon Orellana (seven points, three goals), who returned to action recently after missing a month due to undisclosed reasons.

“They have several players who we will see on the first team,” Trittschuh said.

“We haven’t seen them yet this season but they will be a good team,” forward Miguel Gonzalez said.

“We expect a tough game. We need to bounce back after Saturday and show who we are.”

Most of all, Trittschuh wants the Switchbacks to play with more focus and determination, two things in surprisingly short supply in the first half at San Antonio on Saturday.

That allowed the hosts to build a 2-0 lead in an eventual 2-1 setback for the Switchbacks, who played quite well only a few days earlier at the MLS’ Colorado Rapids.

“We need to get back to playing hard and playing hard for each other,” Trittschuh said.

“That will be our focus this week.”