Club News

Midfielder Diego Luna Makes USL Championship Week 23 Team of the Week

Locomotive Midfielder Diego Luna earned USL Championship Team of the Week honors for Week 23 after El Paso’s 2-2 draw against Austin Bold on Wednesday. This is Luna’s third time being featured on the Team of the Week shortlist, having been previously to the XI in Week 8 and to the bench in Week 15.

In Wednesday night’s contest against Copa Tejas rival, Austin Bold, Luna helped lead an attacking front that tallied his sixth goal of the season after some creative back-and-forth passing with Sebastian Velasquez. Luna’s goal was rifled from the top of the penalty area, across the goalkeeper, and into the back of the net in the 70th minute. The goal was one of two shots on target for the 18-year-old midfielder, who also had a hand in playmaking by creating three chances while completing 36 of his 41 passes. Coupled with his help in controlling the midfield through 9 out of 15 duels, Luna deservedly earned his nod to the Team of the Week.

See below for the full USL Championship Week 23 Team of the Week:

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 23

GK – Justin vom Steeg, LA Galaxy II: Justin vom Steeg recorded a four-save shutout, making key stops before and after Los Dos took a second-half lead on the way to a 2-0 victory against Sacramento Republic FC at Heart Health Park.

D – Jonathan Gomez, Louisville City FC: The 18-year-old notched an assist and three key passes while completing 42 of 51 passes overall and defensively made 13 recoveries in LouCity’s 1-1 draw at Memphis 901 FC.

D – Jalen Neal, LA Galaxy II: Jalen Neal recorded the game-winning goal for the Galaxy II in their 2-0 win at Sacramento Republic FC and defensively recorded five clearances, three interceptions, and won 2 of 2 tackles to help the visitors earn a shutout.

D – Leland Archer, Charleston Battery: The Trinidad and Tobago international scored the first two goals of his Championship career in games against the New York Red Bulls II and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC while winning 16 of 20 duels and 7 of 10 aerial duels across the two contests.

M – Sebastian Anderson, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The 19-year-old recorded a pair of assists and had nine key passes overall while also winning 10 of 16 duels and making five recoveries in the Switchbacks’ 3-1 victory against Austin Bold FC.

M – Leo Fernandes, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Leo Fernandes provided the assists on both of the Rowdies’ goals in a 2-1 victory against Hartford Athletic and ended the night with two shots and four key passes overall while winning 15 of 21 duels and 10 of 13 aerial duels defensively.

M – Diego Luna, El Paso Locomotive FC: The 18-year-old continued his stellar season with one goal on two shots and three key passes in El Paso’s 2-2 draw with Austin Bold FC while completing 36 of 41 passes overall and winning 9 of 15 duels.

M – Billy Forbes, Miami FC: The Turks and Caicos international recorded one goal, two assists, and four key passes while completing 13 of 17 passes overall and winning 2 of 2 tackles in Miami’s 6-1 victory against Loudoun United FC at FIU Stadium.

F – Neco Brett, Birmingham Legion FC: The Jamaican forward recorded three goals and one assist across a pair of Legion FC victories against Atlanta United 2 and the Charlotte Independence while recording eight shots overall and completing 22 of 30 passes.

F – Ariel Martinez, Miami FC: The Cuban forward had one goal and two assists while recording five key passes and completing 3 of 4 dribbles and 23 of 27 passes overall in Miami’s 6-1 victory against Loudoun United FC.

F – Villyan Bijev, OKC Energy FC: Villyan Bijev notched a pair of assists and had six key passes and two shots overall while completing 27 of 37 passes as Energy FC took a crucial 2-0 victory against Indy Eleven on Sunday evening to boost their postseason prospects.

Bench: Jimmy Slayton (SLC), Mandela Egbo (NY), Adrian Diz Pe (RGV), Prosper Kasim (BHM), Dillon Powers (OC), Tumi Moshobane (SD), Sebastian Guenzatti (TBR)

El Paso Locomotive Hosts Real Monarchs for Noche de Locos Wednesday

El Paso Locomotive (13-2-8, 47 pts., MTN-1) hosts Real Monarchs at Southwest University Park for the second time this season on Wednesday, September 29, with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. MT. Tickets are available for purchase online at https://www.eplocomotivefc.com/tickets, by phone at 915-235-GOAL, and through the official El Paso Locomotive FC app.

El Paso Locomotive celebrates Noche de Locos on Wednesday night. To help celebrate the festive evening, the first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a new Noche de Locos Sugar Skull bandana before capping off the night with a fireworks show for fans to enjoy. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. MT, so arrive early to get your bandana and help cheer on Locomotive as they start their push to the playoffs.

Coming off a 2-2 and a 0-0 draw respectively, El Paso Locomotive and Real Monarchs are set to face each other one final time in the 2021 USL Championship season. Locomotive currently sits at the top of the Mountain Division, while the Monarchs sit at the bottom in the seventh. The two last met at the end of July, where an early 1-0 lead from Real Monarchs was undone in the second half with three unanswered goals by Aaron Gomez and Lucho Solignac for the El Paso 3-1 win.

As both teams enter the final stretch of the regular season, they have set their sights on what they need to make an appearance in the post-season. For Locomotive, it will aim to keep distance at the top of the table with games in hand, hoping to reach its magic number sooner rather than later. Real Monarchs could have their playoffs hoped dashed however with a loss against Locomotive, as dropping three points would mathematically eliminate the Utah side from contention.

Follow El Paso Locomotive FC vs Real Monarchs SLC – Wed., September 29, 2021

·         Coverage Begins: 7:00 p.m. MT; Gates Open at 6:00 p.m. MT
·         Watch: ESPN+
·         Social Media: @EPLocomotiveFC & #ELPvSLC on Twitter
·         Additional Content: Official El Paso Locomotive FC App (iOS / Android)

El Paso Locomotive Signs Midfielder Cole Turner on Loan from MLS Side Philadelphia Union

El Paso Locomotive FC announced today it has signed Philadelphia Union homegrown Cole Turner on loan for the remainder of the 2021 USL Championship season. The transaction was completed prior to the USL Championship’s official roster freeze this past Friday.

“Cole is a player with USL and MLS experience and is coming on loan from a very good MLS Club,” said Head Coach and Technical Director Mark Lowry. “He is strong and a very good ballplayer from the central area of the field. He plays in a key position where we feel like we are going to need some extra support during this stretch of games in October. We are excited to have him with us.”

Turner, 20, came through Major League Soccer side Philadelphia Union’s Academy program, where he signed in 2015. In 2019, Turner was a USL Academy signing with the USL Championship’s Philadelphia Union II, making a total of 29 appearances during his time with the club. In January 2020, the Maryland native signed an MLS Homegrown Player contract with Philadelphia Union, making his MLS debut against Club de Foot Montreal on September 20 as he provided depth for the club to help the Union win the Supporters’ Shield in 2020. In addition to his experience in the Championship and MLS, Turner was called to a USMNT U-14 team camp in 2014.

Cole Turner joins El Paso Locomotive ahead of its contest on Wednesday night against Real Monarchs SLC. In honor of Noche de Locos, the first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a Noche de Locos Sugar Skull bandana. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. MT and gates open at 6:00 p.m. MT on September 29. Tickets are available at https://www.eplocomotivefc.com/tickets or by calling 915-235-GOAL.

Transaction: Locomotive acquires Midfielder Cole Turner on loan from Philadelphia Union for the remainder of the 2021 USL Championship season.

Name: Cole Turner
Position: Midfielder
Number: 22
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 182 lbs.
Hometown: Churchville, Maryland
Birthdate: July 7, 2001 (20)

El Paso Locomotive Signs Barca Academy Standout Brooklyn Raines on USL Academy Contract

El Paso Locomotive FC announced today it has added midfielder Brooklyn Raines from the Barcelona Residency Academy as a USL Academy signing. The transaction was completed prior to the USL Championship’s official roster freeze this past Friday.

“Brooklyn is a young player from the same Academy that helped develop Diego Luna,” commented Lowry. “It will be great for him to be in our environment for the remainder of the season so we can take a look at him up against our guys. He has a very bright future.”

Raines, 16, joins Locomotive FC as a USL Academy signing, which allows him to compete in the Championship while retaining college eligibility. Raines joined the Barca Academy in 2018, making waves on his path to the professional ranks, earning call-ups with the USMNT U-15 team in 2019. Described as smart, confident, and tenacious, Raines is effective in possession in the defensive midfield while also being valuable in the attack.

Raines adds his name as the tenth player to the growing list of USL Academy signings. Since it’s inception in the summer of 2020, Locomotive Youth Soccer has signed Joel Maldonado, Jimmy Villagomez, Edwin Villareal, Felix Casas, Venancio Calderon, Diego Abarca, Diego Garcia, Bryan Salas, and Noe Coutinho.

Brooklyn Raines joins the El Paso Locomotive organization ahead of its contest on Wednesday night against Real Monarchs SLC. In honor of Noche de Locos, the first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a Noche de Locos Sugar Skull bandana. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. MT and gates open at 6:00 p.m. MT on September 29. Tickets are available at https://www.eplocomotivefc.com/tickets or by calling 915-235-GOAL.

Transaction: Locomotive signs Brooklyn Raines to a USL Academy contract from Barca Residency Academy.

Name: Brooklyn Raines
Position: Midfielder
Number: 40
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 140 lbs.
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Birthdate: March 11, 2005 (16)

El Paso Locomotive End Equal Against Austin Bold, 2-2

El Paso Locomotive (13-2-8, 47 points) took a point on the road in a 2-2 draw against Austin Bold FC at Bold Stadium on Wednesday. Midfielder Diego Luna and Forward Aaron Gomez scored the two Locomotive goals while Goalkeeper Logan Ketterer made an incredible five saves to earn the point.

The match started with a back and forth as both sides found opportunities with Forward Lucho Solignac twisting at the top of the box to get a shot on frame into the gloves of Austin’s Elliot Panicco. Luna nearly earned a breakthrough for El Paso, fending off a multitude of Bold defenders before taking a shot low near post, but once again finding Panicco. In the end, despite the Locomotive majority possession, Bold FC found the opening goal through a leaping header from Stefano Pinho.

In response, El Paso dominated possession against an Austin Bold side that seemed content with the 1-0 win. The aggressive Locomotive prevailed against the cautions Bold team, as Midfielder Sebastian Velasquez paired with Luna in some quick back-and-forth passing to set the 18-year-old midfielder up for a rocket of a shot that found the back of the net. The pressure continued to pay off for El Paso as quick passing to set up a counter that got the ball from Lucho to Gomez. Gomez took one touch to lift it over Panicco and provide Locomotive with a late game lead in the 83rd minute. As it looked like El Paso was set to walk away with the three points and the Copa Tejas, Bold’s Guadarrama got away with another header for Austin in the dying seconds to salvage a point, 2-2.

UP NEXT: El Paso Locomotive returns to Southwest University Park to host Real Monarchs for Noche de Locos on Wednesday, September 29. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. MT. Tickets are available at https://www.eplocomotivefc.com/tickets or by calling 915-235-GOAL. The first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a Noche de Locos Sugar Skull bandana.

GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:

ATX: Stefano Pinho (Alasanne Diouf), 31st minute: Diouf got the ball down the right side at the edge of the penalty area, serving in a pass that flew to the far post where Pinho was able to leap a head above the rest to connect a header. The ball flew into the side of the netting, providing Austin with the advantage in the first half.

ELP: Diego Luna (Sebastian Velasquez), 70th minute: Diego Luna and Sebastian Velasquez played off one another perfectly as the two connected a series of passes around the Austin Bold packed in defense, eventually setting Luna to take a shot on goal. The shot from distance carried velocity to rip into the back netting.

ELP: Aaron Gomez (Lucho Solignac), 83rd minute: In a fast sequence of passing Lucho Solignac was able to get the ball forward into the path of Aaron Gomez, running between two defenders. As Bold Goalkeeper Elliot Panicco rushed out to collect, Gomez tipped the ball over allowing it to roll in over the goal line for a Locomotive lead.

ATX: Sonny Guadarrama, 94th minute: Just as it seemed a certainty for Locomotive to walk away with the full three points, Sonny stepped over the ball for a freekick opportunity, which he took to the far post hitting the side net for the equalizing goal.

NOTES:

– Diego Luna found his sixth of the season, finding the back of the net in the same venue he found his first professional goal earlier this year.

– Aaron Gomez added to his goal scoring tally, making for a club-leading 17 goals through the regular season since joining Locomotive in 2019.

– The Copa Tejas fight is still alive, though by barely. Locomotive has 19 points with 3 games remaining in the round-robin tournament while Austin Bold sits at 13 points with 2 games remaining.

– Locomotive has another opportunity to claim the Copa Tejas on October 6 when it hosts San Antonio FC. Los Locos would need either a draw or a win to claim the fan-created trophy.

Match: El Paso Locomotive at Austin Bold FC
Date: September 22, 2021
Venue: Bold Stadium; Austin, Texas
Weather: 78F and clear skies

Scoring Summary 1 2 F

El Paso Locomotive FC 0 2 2

Austin Bold FC 1 1 2

ATX – Stefano Pinho (Alasanne Diouf), 31’
ELP – Diego Luna (Sebastian Velasquez), 70’
ELP – Aaron Gomez (Lucho Solignac), 83’
ATX – Sonny Guadarrama, 90’+4

Lineups:

El Paso Locomotive FC (4-4-2): Logan Ketterer; Eder Borelli, Andrew Fox, Mechack Jerome, Macca King, Richie Ryan (Aaron Gomez, 62’), Nick Ross, Diego Luna (Leandro Carrijo, 84’), Dylan Mares (Bryam Rebellon, 69’), Lucho Solignac (Jose Aguinaga, 84’), Sebastian Velasquez

Subs not used: Ben Beaury, Ricardo Zacarias, Chapa Herrera

Switchbacks FC (4-2-3-1): Elliot Panicco; Jermaine Taylor, Fabien Garcia (Alasanne Diouf, 14’), Gustavo Rissi, Kofi Sarkodie (Josue Soto, 84’), Juan Torres (Omar Ciss, 76’), Xavier Baez (Nathaniel Adamolekun, 76’), Collin Fernandez, Amobi Okugo, Roberto Avila, Stefano Pinho (Sonny Guadarrama, 76’)

Subs not used: Casey Walls, Hugo Fauroux

Stats Summary: ELP | ATX

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:

ATX – Jermaine Taylor (Caution), 34’
ATX – Amobi Okugo (Caution), 56’
ELP – Richie Ryan (Caution), 57’
ELP – Macca King (Caution), 66’
ATX – Omar Ciss (Caution), 90’+1

Rundown | El Paso Locomotive at Austin Bold

MATCH DETAILS: USL Championship Regular Season Game #23; at Austin Bold FC; Kickoff 7:00 p.m. MT

VENUE/WEATHER: Bold Stadium; Austin, Texas; 87F degrees and partly cloudy.

WATCH PARTY: Union Drafthouse (730 Sunland Park Drive STE A)

WATCH: ESPN+

RECORDS/STANDINGS: Locomotive: 13-2-7 (46 points, MTN-1); Bold: 9-6-8 (35 points, MTN-4)

PREVIOUS MEETING: El Paso welcomed its Texas derby rival to Southwest University Park at the start of August, for a match that ended with a 3-0 victory in favor of the Locos. It started with Locomotive dominating the first half, nearly finding the scoreboard through early high pressure thought it wouldn’t be until the second half that Locomotive would find an opening goal. A cross served in found Andrew Fox alone at the center of the box to redirect the ball with a velocity that kept the Bold ‘keeper out of the picture. Dylan Mares doubled that lead, taking a textbook free-kick that took a bounce before finding the side of the net. Leandro Carrijo closed out the night for Locomotive, pairing with Diego Luna for some quick passing before taking one touch to laser a shot into the far post, securing three points for El Paso.

It might be an away game for the Boys in Blue, but they’ll be playing for the El Paso fans against Austin Bold on Wednesday. Since El Paso has been so dominant against their Texas rivals over the course of the season, Locomotive has a chance to claim the Texas trophy for all of 8th Notch and the loyal supporters back at Southwest University Park. Locomotive currently sits on top of the USL Copa Tejas table with 18 points, while Austin Bold is positioned just below at 12 points. With a win, Locomotive would jump to 21 points, out of range of Austin, who then would only be able to get a max of 18 points by the end of the season. Head Coach Mark Lowry and his squad have their eyes set on the bigger picture: Finishing in a favorable spot by the end of the regular season to make a meaningful run for the USL Championship title. If that means claiming Copa Tejas along the way for the sense of pride the team has in this community, well, that’s just the cherry on top.

Locomotive and Bold have met twice so far this season and twice the Locomotive side has been able to shut down and shut out their opponent. Over the first two matches in the 2021 season, Locomotive has outscored Austin 4-0 and left the Bold attack with only three shots on target. While the regular series between these two sides has been one-sided in favor of El Paso, it does not mean this match will be a walk in the park for Locomotive. The last time Locomotive visited Bold Stadium, the match nearly ended in a scoreless draw, though El Paso was able to narrowly secure the full three points. The Boys in Blue were left with only one shot on goal and Midfielder Diego Luna made it a good one, connecting a head to the end of Macca’s cross. It was his first professional goal, and it set up Locomotive to take a full sweep of the series should it keep being able to shut down Austin on the field.

After a short four months of the 2021 USL Championship season, it’s starting to come to an even more rapid close. Locomotive has played 22 games of its 32 games season, meaning there are only 10 games left to mathematically secure an appearance in the playoffs. Through the first two-third of the season, Locomotive has taken charge of its own destiny, putting itself at the top of the Mountain Division, six points ahead of its closest competition with games in hand. Now going into the final 10 games stretch, El Paso will be looking to mathematically clinch that playoff berth as soon as possible so it can start focusing on securing a home match guarantee for the opening round. The season is beginning to come to an end, and it’s looking like it will be a heated and dramatic race to the finish for teams all across the USL Championship.

Throughout the 2021 season, Austin Bold has been flirting with the playoff line. Over the recent weeks, Bold has dropped from third in the division to below line in fifth before moving back up between third and fourth. Bold is currently finding itself in a good run of form as it seeks its second playoff berth in its three-year existence. Bold has managed to earn its last three to get into a form of 3-1-1 over its last five games. The form puts Austin Bold safely above the red line with a four-point cushion, for the time being, keeping New Mexico United and Rio Grande Valley nipping at their heels as the two seek their tickets to the postseason. Austin has only 9 games left in its regular season, meaning every point counts as Austin seeks its own dreams of a playoff run.

El Paso Locomotive Seeks Copa Tejas Against Austin Bold on Wednesday

El Paso Locomotive (13-2-7, 46 pts., MTN-1) closes out a two-game road stretch against Texas derby rival, Austin Bold FC on Wednesday, September 22. Kickoff from Bold Stadium in Austin, Texas is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. MT and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

El Paso Locomotive and Austin Bold FC take on each other for the third time in the 2021 series, revisiting Bold Stadium for a Copa Tejas showdown that could influence the result of the supporter-run tournament. In the first two meetings, El Paso Locomotive came away with wins, finding a 1-0 victory at the start of the season with Midfielder Diego Luna’s first professional goal before claiming an emphatic 3-0 win with goals from Defender Andrew Fox, Midfielder Dylan Mares, and Forward Leandro Carrijo.

The two sides meet in what could be the Copa Tejas finale as El Paso Locomotive FC could claim the title with a win in Austin. The white-hot Locomotive side has cooled slightly in recent weeks but still stands firm with games in hand at the top of the Mountain Division, having only lost two games in the last 35 competitions. The dominated El Paso club will face a resurging Austin team that currently sits on its third straight win as it fights for positioning above the playoff line in the final stretch of the 2021 USL Championship regular season.

Follow El Paso Locomotive FC at Austin Bold FC – Wed., September 22, 2021

·         Coverage Begins: 7:00 p.m. MT;
·         Watch: ESPN+
·         Social Media: @EPLocomotiveFC & #ATXvELP on Twitter
·         Additional Content: Official El Paso Locomotive FC App (iOS / Android)

El Paso Locomotive Takes Road Point From Scoreless Draw with Switchbacks FC

El Paso Locomotive (13-2-7, 46 points) split the points with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in a scoreless draw at Weidner Field on Wednesday night. Goalkeeper Logan Ketterer earned his sixth clean sheet of the season for the club’s tenth.

It was a game of capitalizing on passes and use of possession through the first half, Locomotive and Switchbacks FC nearly split the possession evenly. Locomotive decisively made the most of their control, as the front pairing of Forwards Lucho Solignac and Aaron Gomez with Midfielder Diego Luna behind creatively passed around the defensive line for Switchbacks, forcing Colorado Springs ‘keeper Sean Melvin into making big saves. On the other end, Switchbacks were left wanting without a proper shot on goal thanks to the work of the number one defensive makeup in the Western Conference.

As the game opened up, Switchbacks began to test Ketterer, who came up with a world-class save in the 61st minute to parry the ball out of play. The defensive play of Locomotive FC staved off the aggressive Switchbacks offense, providing few more chances for El Paso that could not be kept on frame. By the end of the 90 minutes, the immoveable object of Locomotive deadlocked with the unstoppable force of Switchbacks FC, leading to a scoreless draw to earn a road point.

UP NEXT: El Paso Locomotive continues a two-game road stretch by taking on Austin Bold for a Copa Tejas showdown on Wednesday, September 22. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. MT from Bold Stadium in Austin, Texas and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

NOTES:

– El Paso Locomotive FC earned its 10th clean sheet of the season, holding off the most clinical attack in the league from Switchbacks FC.

– El Paso Locomotive still remains undefeated in the all-time series against Colorado Springs, with the draw moving the record to 4-0-4 in favor of the Sun City club.

– The draw keeps a nine point gap between Locomotive FC and Switchbacks FC at the top of the Mountain Division table.

– Defender Ricardo Zacarias made his return to the pitch, earning minutes for the first time since the 0-0 draw against New Mexico United on July 24.

Match: El Paso Locomotive at Switchbacks FC
Date: September 15, 2021
Venue: Weidner Field; Colorado Springs, Colorado
Weather: 79F and clear skies

Scoring Summary 1 2 F

El Paso Locomotive FC 0 0 0

Switchbacks FC 0 0 0

Lineups:

El Paso Locomotive FC (4-4-2): Logan Ketterer; Eder Borelli, Mechack Jerome, Matt Bahner (Andrew Fox, 53’), Macca King, Richie Ryan, Nick Ross, Chapa Herrera (Dylan Mares, 63’), Diego Luna (Sebastian Velasquez, 63’), Aaron Gomez (Leandro Carrijo, 89’), Lucho Solignac (Ricardo Zacarias, 89’)

Subs not used: Ben Beaury, Jose Aguinaga

Switchbacks FC (4-2-3-1): Sean Melvin; Michael Edwards, Sebastian Anderson, Tristan Hodge, Matthew Mahoney, Thomas Amang (Dantouma Toure, 77’), Hadji Barry, Rony Argueta, Beverly Makangila, Steven Echeverria (Andre Lewis, 60’), Deshane Beckford (Darren Yapi, 83’)

Subs not used: Dillon Sema, Jordan Burt, Abraham Rodriguez, José Torres

Stats Summary: ELP | COS

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:

ELP – Aaron Gomez (Caution), 25’
COS – Steven Echeverria (Caution), 29’
ELP – Andrew Fox (Caution), 58’
COS – Deshane Beckford (Caution), 74’

Rundown | El Paso Locomotive at Switchbacks FC

Can you paint a better picture for a matchup? One of the greatest defenses in the league vs one of the most clinical offenses in the league. It’s the top two teams of the Mountain Division battling it out for lasting playoff implications as each team goes into the final third of the season. I don’t have anything fun or quirky to say about this one, I’m just excited for what is sure to be an exciting game! So let’s break down the storylines!

MATCH DETAILS: USL Championship Regular Season Game #22; at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC; Kickoff 7:00 p.m. MT

VENUE/WEATHER: Weidner Field; Colorado Springs, Colorado; 84F degrees and clear skies.

WATCH PARTY: Palomino Tavern (205 Cincinnati Ave)

WATCH: ESPN+

RECORDS/STANDINGS: Locomotive: 13-2-6 (45 points, MTN-1); Switchbacks: 10-7-6 (36 points, MTN-2)

PREVIOUS MEETING: El Paso Locomotive and Colorado Springs Switchbacks have only met once in the 2021 USL Championship playing, splitting the points on a 1-1 draw in a mid-June match up. From a corner kick served in from Dylan Mares in the 11th minute, Macca King – alone and unmarked at the center of the penalty area – redirected the ball to provide El Paso with the early lead. Locomotive continued to test Switchbacks FC, but couldn’t find a second goal before a penalty in the second half for Switchbacks was converted by the USL’s leading golden boot, Hadji Barry. Both sides tested each other’s goalkeepers looking for the advantage goal, but it wasn’t meant to be as each side walked away from Southwest University Park with a point in hand.

At the top of the Mountain Division is none other than the Locos Blue from El Paso. And what a comfortable lead at the top it is. Only having lost two games this season, El Paso has used 21 games of the 32 game season to amass 45 points. Now, Locomotive sits nine points ahead of its closest competitor – its Wednesday night opponent, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. A clash of two of the best teams in the Mountain Division could lead to lasting playoff implications, as a three-point swing either way would be massive for either team. For Switchbacks, it would be to close the gap on the Division leaders while trying to stake a further claim to the second spot on the table for a guaranteed home game. For Locomotive, it would be to extend the gap even further with games in hand against its closest competition as the team looks to compete against the top teams around the league for the Championship top seed.

If you haven’t seen the incredible defensive work that El Paso Locomotive has been putting in through the 2021 season, well you just have been paying attention. Plain and simple. Locomotive is second across the league in clean sheets with nine (behind Tampa Bay Rowdies with 12) as well as second in the league for the least goals conceded with 16 (behind the Rowdies with 15). The defensive work from Locomotive has lent itself to the absolutely dominating performance throughout the season. Meanwhile, Colorado Springs Switchbacks boasts one of the deadliest attacks in the league. The club leads the league with goals with 50 after 23 games. Hadji Barry’s golden boot leading 21 goals will be tested against an El Paso defensive team that has conceded only .8 goals per match.

After seven matches against Colorado Springs, El Paso Locomotive has yet to be taken down. Four wins, three draws, and zero losses give El Paso a historical advantage over their Mountain Division opponent. An even more interesting look, in the three matches where Locomotive has visited Weidner Field, Colorado Springs has not been able to find the back of the net. The first meeting in 2019 ended with Locomotive leaving with three points in hand, 2-0. In 2020 the two sides met in Colorado twice, both ending in scoreless draws. Of course, these three matches took place at the old Weidner Field. Colorado Springs has since built a brand new stadium where it currently holds a 7-3-3 record. The new stadium means a different field, replacing the natural grass of the old stadium with artificial turf, as well as increasing the fan capacity by about 3,000 fans. The change in venue creates an x-factor going into Wednesday night’s match, though history is still on the side of El Paso.

This is something that Head Coach Mark Lowry has repeated time and time again: There is depth in this squad from 1 – 22. No matter who goes on the field with the Locomotive jersey, it is the best lineup for the squad. Players on the bench are just as crucial to the game as the players on the Starting XI. Players who might not make the 18 one week, could easily start the next contest. There is a depth to this squad that has not existed in the first two years of play. We’ve seen it before. There have been stretches of this season that have put Locomotive on a series of fast-paced turnaround of games, prompting Lowry to showcase the quality of the players the extends to the very core of the club. As we edge closer and closer to the packed October schedule, expect Lowry to use this turnaround game to showcase more rotation with a different rotation than we saw against Sacramento Republic this past Saturday.

El Paso Locomotive Announces Replica White Jersey Giveaway

EL PASO, Texas (September 14, 2021) – El Paso Locomotive announced today it will be giving away a replica edition of the highly sought-after white jersey to celebrate the close of its 2021 USL Championship regular season home campaign. The first 2,000 fans in attendance to the nationally televised ESPN Deportes home finale on Sunday, October 24 against OKC Energy FC will receive this giveaway.

“The fans spoke, and we listened,” said Andrew Forrest, Locomotive General Manager, Business Operations. “This is one of the most premium giveaway items of the entire year across the USL. Nothing seemed more fitting than rewarding the fans with this giveaway on the last regular-season home game against the first team Locomotive played in its existence. We look forward to these kits coming back to Southwest University Park for years to come. Secure your tickets and arrive early; these will not last long!”

The 2021 Locomotive White Jersey – first announced ahead of the Locomotive’s third USL Championship campaign – became an instant fan favorite. Its white design combined with the iconic sky-blue wave pattern gave a fresh and clean feel compared to its navy blue and light blue counterparts. The white Locomotive kit was announced as a player exclusive jersey not available in stores but, due to popular demand, fans now have the opportunity to get their hands on a replica version of the white jersey exclusively at this match.

Fans can purchase tickets for the 2021 USL Championship regular-season home finale against OKC Energy FC on Sunday, October 24, and any remaining home matches, online at https://www.eplocomotivefc.com/tickets, by phone at 915-235-GOAL, or through the official El Paso Locomotive FC app. The match is scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. MT kickoff with gates opening at 5:00 p.m. MT. It will be broadcast live on national television on ESPN Deportes and will include a fireworks show for fans to enjoy after the game.

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