EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Locomotive FC (West-2, 6-3-1, 19 points) keeps on rolling forward as it secured its fifth straight win on Saturday night. The game’s lone goal, scored by Locomotive forward and El Paso native Chris Garcia in the 89’, proved to be the match winner.
“We’re getting used to winning here,” Head Coach and Technical Director Brian Clarhaut said. “We still need to improve, but we’re doing something right and getting three points. I enjoy it and I’m going to celebrate it.”
With three starters out, Clarhaut gave lots of credit to the players who stepped up tonight to ensure Locomotive not only secure three more points and record another clean sheet, but also continue its run as one of the most in-form teams in the league.
Applying pressure from the start, Locomotive registered ten shots in the first half, consistently driving forward into the box to create scoring chances. In total, Locomotive registered 17 shots in the match.
As the dying minutes of the match approached and thoughts of walking away with a point began creeping into the minds of fans, hometown hero Garcia came in to save the day.
Forward Aaron Gomez fought past Loudoun defender Daniel Chica to set himself up in a great position to send in a cross. Dribbling into the box, Gomez spotted Garcia charging towards the goal and sent a ball into the air for Garcia to finish. The ball flew past the keeper and with the net wide open, Garcia tapped the ball into the net with his chest as Southwest University Park erupted in cheers.
“It felt great to score in front of my people in El Paso” Garcia said about his first ever goal for Locomotive. “I’m happy with the team and I thank them for making this moment possible.”
FORECAST: 76ºF, clear skies
TEAM NOTES
- El Paso are now undefeated in seven matches, which includes wins in its last five matches.
- With this win tonight, Locomotive has equalized a club record for most consecutive wins.
- Garcia recorded his first ever goal for Locomotive.
- Gomez recorded his first assist of the season. He’s now one assist away from equalizing a club record for assists in both the USL Championship and in all competitions.
- Defender Erik McCue made his first league start for Locomotive.
SCORING SUMMARY
- ELP 1 – Chris Garcia (Aaron Gomez) 89’
LINEUPS
ELP – Benny Diaz, Bence Pavkovics, Erik McCue, Eder Borelli – C, Miles Lyons (Marc Navarro), Eric Calvillo (Louis Herrera), Liam Rose, Aaron Gomez, Denys Kostyshyn (Nick Hinds), Luis Solignac, Emmanuel Sonupe (Chris Garcia)
Subs Not Used: Luis Moreno, Diego Abarca, Javier Garcia
LDN – Hugo Fauroux, Abdoul Zanne, Daniel Chica, Bryce Washington, Koa Santos, Panos Armenakas, Aidan Rocha, Jeremy Garay (Abdoul Koanda), Kalil ElMedkhar, Tommy Williamson (Wesley Leggett), Zach Ryan
Subs Not Used: Dane Jacomen, Hayden Sargis, Houssou Landry, Brian Chavez, Isaac Espinal
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
- ELP – Liam Rose (Yellow Card) 29’, Aaron Gomez (Yellow Card) 64’, Bence Pavkovics (Yellow Card) 90+1’, Eder Borelli (Yellow Card) 90+5’
- LDN – Daniel Chica (Yellow Card) 42’, Abdoul Zanne (Yellow Card) 86’, Abdoul Koanda (Yellow Card) 90+5’
MATCH STATS: ELP | LDN
GOALS: 1|0
ASSISTS: 1|0
POSS. %: 42|58
SHOTS: 17|8
SHOTS ON GOAL: 1|5
SAVES: 5|0
FOULS: 11|20
OFFSIDES: 3|1
CORNERS: 6|2
UP NEXT: Saturday, May 20 at Birmingham Legion FC. Kickoff at 5:30 p.m. MT at Protective Stadium. Locomotive faceoff against Birmingham Legion for the first time in club history in this top battle between East and West!