EL PASO, Texas – Mark your calendars, grab your Loco gear and make plans to arrive loud and proud! The 2023 El Paso Locomotive regular season schedule has been released and we’re bringing you a rundown of each contest to help you take in the 34-game slate the Locos will take on in its historic fifth season in the USL Championship.
The 2023 season is the club’s most balanced schedule to date, which will see El Paso face off against each club in the league. Locomotive fans can plan their calendars around the fixture list, which include 17 games each at Southwest University Park and on the road.
2023 will be the first season for new Head Coach and Technical Director Brian Clarhaut and with the return of several core players plus exciting additions to the squad, Locomotive are set out to compete and get back up to the top where it belongs.
From fun facts and statistical figures to can’t-miss storylines and players to keep your eye on, there is plenty to be excited about for the upcoming season.
Saturday, March 11 vs Sacramento Republic FC
Home openers are always a special occasion, but this match will be extra special as it’ll kick off El Paso’s historic fifth season in the USL Championship. Although Sacramento finished runners-up in the 2022 U.S. Open Cup, Locomotive will be looking for a fourth consecutive home win against Republic FC to start 2023 on the right foot.
Wednesday, March 15 vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks
When it comes to playing at Southwest University Park, Locomotive boasts a fantastic 5-1-1 record against the Switchbacks and will be looking to hold down the line in home territory once again.
Saturday, March 18 vs Detroit City FC
You know what’s better than back-to-back home games? Back-to-back-to-back home games! Detroit City make their first ever trip to El Paso and Locomotive hope to make it one they won’t forget.
Saturday, March 25 at Louisville City FC
Locomotive’s first road trip of the season will see them face off against the reigning Eastern Conference champions for their home opener. Let’s just say that El Paso wants to spoil that party.
Friday, March 31 at FC Tulsa
El Paso are no strangers to success at ONEOK Field, having won both games played in Tulsa. Shall Locomotive make it 3-0?
Saturday, April 8 vs Orange County SC
Orange County’s 2022 will be one to forget as the club finished bottom of the Western Conference after winning the league in 2021. Locomotive is undefeated at home against Orange County, so Locomotive are going to strive to keep that streak alive.
Saturday, April 22 vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds
This is the second time Pittsburgh will play against El Paso in club history and this time, Los Locos have home field advantage.
Saturday, April 29 at San Diego Loyal SC
Locomotive travel to San Diego for the first of two matchups this season, a great place to get a first franchise win against them.
Friday, May 5 at Colorado Springs Switchbacks
A Cinco de Mayo game would’ve been much more fun in El Paso, just saying. Anyways, Locomotive have yet to lose a match in Colorado Springs across six matches, which must be quite frustrating for the Switchbacks.
Saturday, May 13 vs Loudoun United FC
A strong second half performance from El Paso last year saw them beat Loudoun 3-1 in the first meeting between the two. El Paso will look for a second consecutive win in front of its own fans this season.
Saturday, May 20 at Birmingham Legion FC
Locomotive travel to Birmingham to play Legion FC for the first time. Birmingham topped the league in shots last season (548) and with the addition of Tyler Pasher to their squad, the Locomotive defense will be tested but not deterred.
Saturday, June 3 at New Mexico United
New Mexico United is probably still a bit upset that Locomotive bested them in their own home for the first time in franchise history last season. El Paso will be hoping to do it again this year.
Saturday, June 10 at San Antonio FC
A second blockbuster match in as many weekends, Locomotive travel down I-10 to face the reigning league champions. San Antonio boast a strong backline that includes the 2022 Goalkeeper and Defender of the Year but don’t expect El Paso to back down at any time in this contest.
Wednesday, June 14 vs Las Vegas Lights FC
El Paso fans received quite the show last season when Lights FC was last in town, a nine-goal second half thriller that ultimately ended in favor of Las Vegas. Locomotive would go on to win their second contest against Las Vegas later that season, but there’s still a bitter taste lingering after that home loss. A win in El Paso could wash it away.
Saturday, June 17 vs Tampa Bay Rowdies
Tampa Bay and the reigning League MVP Leo Fernandes put the dagger in El Paso’s playoff chances in the club’s final game of 2022. Fans should anticipate an exciting game from Locomotive as the club hopes to avenge that defeat when the Rowdies make their first ever trip to El Paso.
Saturday, July 1 vs New Mexico United
Need we say more? Be here and be loud! Locomotive will play four home matches in July, treating fans and families to an action-packed month of soccer in the 915. A home game against Locomotive’s biggest rivals is a great way to kick it all off.
Saturday, July 8 at Monterey Bay FC
Last season, Monterey Bay finished second to last with the largest negative goal differential (-17) in the Western Conference. The Locos were a bit unlucky in their previous meeting against Monterey Bay but with strong additions in Marc Navarro and Erik McCue to Locomotive’s backline, it’ll be up to the offense to capitalize on opportunities up front.
Wednesday, July 12 vs San Antonio FC
Clarhaut’s side welcomes the reigning league champions to El Paso in what will be a very anticipated match for Locos fans. El Paso are 2-2-1 at Southwest University Park against San Antonio and will bring the fight to make sure the home record doesn’t skew in San Antonio’s favor.
Saturday, July 15 vs Rio Grande Valley FC
In the first of two contests during the month of July, Locomotive faces off against another in-state rival. The Locos are 3-1-1 at home against the Toros, the sole defeat coming last season. El Paso won’t accept a consecutive loss to RGV at home.
Saturday, July 22 vs Oakland Roots SC
El Paso are 0-2-1 in all matches against Oakland. Locomotive will be looking to put an end to this nonsense with a win at Southwest University Park.
Saturday, July 29 at Rio Grande Valley FC
In the second of regular season meetings, Locomotive travel down to Edinburg to seek out their first win at H-E-B Park.
Saturday, August 5 at Miami FC
This will be the first time El Paso face off against Miami, a team who displayed discipline in defense last season and were second in clean sheets (17) across the league.
Saturday, August 12 at Phoenix Rising FC
El Paso secured its first two franchise wins against Phoenix last season, the first win in an intense 1-0 match decided by an Aaron Gomez penalty in the 71st minute. Rising just moved to a new stadium for 2023 and wouldn’t it be great to hand them a loss at their new home?
Saturday, August 19 vs Indy Eleven
Locomotive played and won against Indy for the first time last season at Southwest University Park. Perhaps history repeats itself again…
Saturday, August 26 at Hartford Athletic
Locos fans will remember the absolute stunner of a goal that 17-year-old Diego Abarca put into the net when Hartford came to visit. That goal made him the youngest player to score a goal in Locomotive history at 16 years, 11 months and 16 days. The match ended in a draw but it was a memorable night for the youngster who saw his goal featured in Sportscenter’s Top 10.
Saturday, September 2 vs Monterey Bay FC
Monterey Bay’s last visit to Southwest University Park was quite enjoyable for El Paso fans. An absolute goal fest, Locomotive scored five and kept a clean sheet to win in comfortable fashion. Monterey Bay has a lot of their core players returning and they’ll want to get a positive result, but Southwest University Park is a difficult place for visiting teams to win at.
Saturday, September 9 at Orange County SC
Locomotive pack their bags and travel down to Orange County for the first of three consecutive away games. El Paso will be in search of their first win at Championship Stadium.
Wednesday, September 13 at Las Vegas Lights FC
Locomotive’s only away Wednesday fixture sees them head to Las Vegas for a visit to Cashman Field, where El Paso are undefeated and will look to “dim the lights” for a third consecutive time.
Saturday, September 16 at Sacramento Republic
Locomotive’s only loss to Sacramento came in last year’s season opener, played at Heart Health Park. Republic FC were 11-2-5 at home in 2022, so Locomotive are up against a challenge when they make a trip to the California capital.
Saturday, September 23 vs Phoenix Rising FC
The Locos return home and what better way to reunite with the Locomotive faithful than with a matchup against a bitter rival? This will be one of the most anticipated matchups at the tail end of the season.
Saturday, September 30 vs Charleston Battery
Locomotive will host their first ever match against Charleston Battery, a side which conceded 77 goals last season – the second-most across the league. Charleston has brought in 2022 Coach of the Year Ben Pirmann, who’ll work to turn things around at the club. However, Locomotive will make it challenging for them to come and get a win in El Paso.
Wednesday, October 4 vs San Diego Loyal SC
Our final home match of the season is going to be one fans won’t want to miss. The last game at Southwest University Park is always an exciting atmosphere and for all who come, expect a show.
Saturday, October 7 at Memphis 901 FC
On paper, this is going to be a tough fixture. Last season, Memphis finished second in the Eastern Conference and were second in the league for most goals scored (70). Several core members of their 2022 squad are returning so Locomotive are up against a strong team in their first visit to Memphis.
Saturday, October 14 at Oakland Roots SC
Locomotive’s final game of the 2023 regular season finds them in Oakland against the Roots, a side who has been an annoyance to the Locos. An opportunity to beat Oakland in their own backyard would be a splendid way to cap off El Paso’s fifth season.