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Within a minute of the first whistle blowing, El Paso Locomotive took an early lead against FC Grande and never looked back. After a few touches, and some movement on and off the ball, it was the two El Pasoans who linked up to kick off the scoring spree. With an assist by Louis “Chapa” Herrera, Omar Salgado was able to put the ball into the back of the net and put the momentum in place. From the beginning of the match, the Lowry game plan was in place. El Paso Locomotive maintained heavy possession for the entirety of the match and put a passing clinic on display.

The second goal of the match came 4 minutes after the first. FC Grande committed a foul in the box and awarded Locomotive a penalty. It was Edson Partida who stepped up to take the kick. As the goalkeeper readied up, Partida exhibited an air of confidence and collectiveness, and as the whistle blew, he took an extra second and then began his approach. It resulted in his first El Paso Locomotive goal.

Another 20 minutes passed before another point was added to the score and it was for FC Grande who converted on a penalty to bring the score 2-1. El Paso Locomotive continued to show how they want to handle matches through their possession of the ball and the ability to show creativity in their passing. This creativity led to the third goal of the day for El Paso, which came to fruition from lovely passing, changing of the field, and a strike by Salgado that the keeper had no chance against.

That wouldn’t be the last goal of the day though. After getting the assist for the first goal, Chapa wanted one of his own. With textbook one-two passing and the ability to create space, Chapa received a ball right at the top of the box. With a single touch in, he let it rip with the accuracy of guided munition and curled it across the keeper, leaving him helpless. “Being my first Locomotive goal, and scoring it like that, it felt really good. I couldn’t have asked for anything else today,” said Chapa, who grabbed an assist and a goal in today’s 4-1 victory.

All of the goals came in the first half, but the second half followed in suite with the Locomotive style of play. With relentless possession and a handful of good looks, the match was El Paso’s from the beginning. The final whistle not only signaled the end of the match but also the end of El Paso Locomotive’s home preseason run. On Friday the team travels to face intrastate opponent, San Antonio FC on Saturday, February 23rd, and they close their preseason with a match against OKC Energy FC in Tucson, Arizona on March 2nd.

El Paso Locomotive FC, El Paso Chihuahuas and Southwest University Park kick off their annual job fair which will run from 5:30 p.m. through 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 15 and Wednesday, January 16. 

All who attend must bring a resume and government issued ID, all applicants must be 18 or older. 

The roles to be filled for the 2019 season are varied and range from positions in the box office, grounds crew, retail, and many other exciting roles!

All who attend are encouraged to bring the attached forms with them filled out to expedite the process.

Candidates must be 18 years of age to apply, must be able to pass a background check and must be able to work all home games and additional events as needed. If you are younger than 18, please send your resume or an email to the following Human Resources Jobs address: tripleaelpasojobs@gmail.com. 

We are looking to fill the following positions for people 18 years or older:

• Box Office Service and Cashiers
• Cleaning Crew
• Retail
• Guest Services
• Ushers
• Ticket Takers
• Cash Room Attendant
• Parking Lot Attendants
• Facilities and Grounds Crew
• Security
• Game Day Entertainment Staff
• Bark Brigade and Social Square Staff
• Kids Playground Attendants
• Mesilla Valley Transportation 50/50 Raffle Sellers

Candidates should enter through the Clock Tower/VIP Entrance on the corner of Durango St. and Franklin Ave. Candidates are urged to bring a resume and dress to impress. A positive, friendly attitude is essential. No calls please. Applicants who cannot attend can send their resumes to tripleaelpasojobs@gmail.com.

Spectra will be hiring various positions in the following ballpark areas:

• City Hall Grill, Sun Kings Saloon and WestStar Club Bar Areas
• Catering
• Concessions – Cashiers, Runners, Prep Cooks, Stand Leads, Stand Managers
• Kitchen
• Restaurant – Servers & Runners
• Cashiers & Cash Room Attendant
• Warehouse

The El Paso Chihuahuas, El Paso Locomotive FC, Leg Up Entertainment and Spectra are proud to be equal opportunity employers.

EL PASO – November 20, 2018 – El Paso Locomotive FC is continuing to build their roster by signing dynamic midfielder, Sebastian Contreras (Argentina) pending league and federation approval. Contreras made his professional debut with Atletico Venezuela in the 2012 season and won the Primera Division with Zamora FC in 2016. He will be coming to El Paso from his current club, Defensores Unidos of the Primera C in Argentina. Contreras will be the sixth player signed for the 2019 inaugural season thus far and is the second international player, joining Chiro N’toko (Belgium).

The scouting team for El Paso Locomotive has left no stone unturned in their search for the highest quality players from across the globe. Head Coach and Technical Director Mark Lowry remarked on the newest member of the squad, “I spent many weeks observing Contreras and his quality on the ball was evident from the first moment. He has a magical left foot, he can go past defenders on the dribble, and he also links up well with teammates. For us to have the opportunity to bring a player of his caliber here says a lot about what we are trying to achieve. He has won championships in Venezuela, and only a couple of months ago was playing against Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina and was one of the best players on the field. He is a player that will be very exciting to watch and will get the fans out of their seats.”
 

Homecoming. A return to roots. Whatever you may call it, Omar Salgado is headed back to El Paso; his mission? Win. The first game may be in 2019, but the buildup and process began long ago. Our first signed player was born on September 10th, 1993 in the Sun City and holds deep pride of being an integral piece in the attack to come. Omar’s deep love and passion for the sport saw him be the first pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, sending him to Vancouver. With stints at various clubs across the continent, Omar is geared and focused on the task ahead in 2019. “Coming home and playing in front of my friends and family means the world to me.” Since his days with the Whitecaps, Omar has done quite a bit of playing across not only the continent but the globe; spending stints of his training with two English Premier Clubs and time with Tigres.

His time on loan with Las Vegas has seen Omar score three goals in 10 appearances. He is hungry for what 2019 has in store for El Paso. “I want them [the fans] to know that we are going to be competitive and work extremely hard when we all get together on the field. We are going to accomplish something special in the first year.” Being in communication with Head Coach Mark Lowry, but not yet playing underneath him, Omar knows what to expect when the team hits the pitch for the first time shortly. “I have talked to players that have played underneath him and against him and they all say great things. He likes to keep the ball in play and to attack. As a player, I can’t wait to work with him.”

Omar will join a continuously growing squad and is looking forward to linking up with teammates Derek Gebhard and Daniel Navarro. “We haven’t gotten to speak yet, but I have heard lots of fantastic things about both of them from other people, and El Paso should be excited for what we will do on the field.” With the end of Las Vegas Lights FC regular season, Omar will return to the Sun City in the upcoming weeks. Fans can expect to see Omar around town at events with El Paso Locomotive  FC.

TAMPA, Fla. – On a historic day for the evolution of soccer in North America, the United Soccer League has unveiled a new structure and brand identity for each of its top three leagues ahead of the 2019 season.

“Today’s announcement comes at the dawn of an exciting new era for our sport,” said USL CEO Alec Papadakis. “The USL has spent the past eight years transforming our league to meet the evolving needs of our team owners, players, coaches, fans and partners. We have established our place in the U.S. soccer landscape while blazing the trail for professional soccer’s future by introducing a new third division, completing the nation’s professional soccer structure.

“We are bringing three leagues under one central brand that will uniquely represent the USL’s vision for the future and give rise to local passion in new cities currently without professional soccer. The new brand and logos are inspiring and convey a new direction. They are innovative and modern and tell a story but more importantly, refuse to let others define us. The USL will now be modelled after a tried and respected international structure. One central brand, three leagues: USL Championship– the pinnacle of competition; USL League One– the foundation of professional soccer; and, USL League Two– the Path to Pro. 

“We are repositioning the competition under MLS with a new strategy, new names and logos,” concluded Papadakis. “As we look to the future, the USL is ready to put its fingerprints on U.S. Soccer’s drive toward becoming the best in the world, and its pursuit of winning a FIFA Men’s World Cup.”  

The new structure and branding will go into effect in advance of the 2019 season, at which point the USL will also unveil a modernized league website in order to showcase new, engaging digital content and help to better tell the organization’s story as it continues to push the limits of what is possible for professional soccer in North America. 

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE

The USL’s new corporate logo symbolizes the growth of professional soccer in North America, incorporating 13 stripes to represent the U.S. flag. The blue letters pay homage to the league’s past while the new, modern logo and the white sphere represents a soccer ball in motion – propelling our sport forward into the future.

USL CHAMPIONSHIP

The pinnacle of competition – the USL Championship features a new gold design and represents the ultimate goal for players, coaches, fans and communities, all of whom aspire for excellence both on and off the field.

The USL Championship is one of the most successful professional soccer leagues in the world, reaching a population of more than 84 million across more than 35 markets in 2019, and fueling the growth of the game across North America. At its core, the Championship is community. It’s the commitment of passionate and financially secure owners and talented players to embrace their hometowns, to create opportunity and to grow together through the beautiful game.

USL LEAGUE ONE

The foundation of professional soccer – USL League One makes its mark with a vibrant, colorful identity, as it gears up for its debut in the 2019 season with league leadership and ownership that will forge a unique identity – driven by determination, unity and inspiration.

League One brings discovery – delivering professional soccer to communities without a team, offering the first chance for new fans to dance and sing for 90 minutes, to fall more in love with the game every single week. League One also provides the opportunity and the first step in the professional ranks for players and coaches yearning to climb and pursue their dreams.

USL LEAGUE TWO

The #Path2Pro – the PDL will become USL League Two – the elite pre-professional tier in North American soccer and the established developmental platform for U-23 and collegiate players, fans and communities.

Maintaining its heritage with a bold, red logo, League Two will continue to forge the game’s future, delivering the first taste of premier competition in an authentic national soccer environment with a hyper-local focus. It is the gateway to stardom for those who prove they belong and have the desire to advance into the professional ranks, providing more than 70 percent of players selected in the MLS SuperDraft over the past eight years.

ABOUT THE UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE

The United Soccer League (USL) is the largest professional soccer organization in North America, possessing nearly a decade of experience in bringing the world’s game to communities across the United States and Canada. Overseeing the USL Championship, USL League One, and USL League Two, the organization is built on a proven and recognized model in international football and counts more than 100 clubs in its membership.

Based in Tampa, Fla., the USL has grown over the past decade into a model organization with strong corporate partnerships, stable organizational leadership, and a dedicated staff that provide outstanding support to member clubs and outside partners. Sanctioned by the U.S. Soccer Federation and Canadian Soccer Association, the USL is #UnitedForSoccer, moving the game forward in the United States and Canada.

EL PASO, Texas – September 14, 2018 – El Paso USL has signed defender, Daniel Navarro of Hyannis, Massachusetts, who saw his most recent action playing with Miami United (NPSL).  Prior to his time with Miami United, Daniel played for SC Sao Paulo in Campeonato Brasilerio Serie D and Campeonato Gaucho in Brazil.  Daniel also brings with him NASL experience where he played with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.  Daniel Navarro joins Omar Salgado and Derek Gebhard, pending league and federation approval, bringing the roster to three signed players thus far for the 2019 season.

This defensive addition to the team, as stated by El Paso USL Coach Mark Lowry, “will be a crucial part of the group we are putting together here in El Paso.  He played at a good level in Brazil and spent time in the NASL, so he is familiar with playing in the US.  As a center back, he is a fierce competitor who is strong in the air and good in 1v1 situations, but even more importantly for us, he is comfortable with the ball at his feet and playing out of the back.  He will add a healthy competition for places within our squad.”

The 27-year-old defender was born in the United States of America and returned to his family’s home country of Brazil at age two, where he spent much of his life and professional career. 

“I am so glad to have signed with El Paso USL,” said Daniel.  “I already have experience playing in the USA, but this will be my first time in the USL and seeing a new club come together is exciting for me as a player.  I believe the El Paso community has a lot of expectations for us.  Combining our work and their support will be important for us to have a great first season.”

EL PASO, Texas – June 13, 2018 – Officials with El Paso USL announced today at a press conference that Omar Salgado has signed as the first player of the newly launched club, owned by MountainStar Sports Group (MSSG).  Salgado will be part of the inaugural 2019 squad with El Paso USL, which is one of four teams to join USL for the 2019 season. 

“We are thrilled for Omar to join the team and be the first ever El Paso USL player.  He is a terrific young man who I believe will be a tremendous asset both on the field and in the community — the community he grew up in — and he is excited to return to as a professional soccer player,” said Andrew Forrest, General Manager of El Paso USL. 

Salgado, who plays as a Forward, comes to El Paso USL with an impressive background, having played for both the United States U20 and U23 National Teams, and in both Major League Soccer and Liga MX. Previously the No. 1 selection in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft by Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Salgado has also spent time training with multiple English Premier League clubs. The terms of Salgado’s contract with El Paso USL include his being loaned to Las Vegas Lights FC for the remainder of the 2018 season. The signing and loan are pending league and federation approval. 

“We are proud to welcome Omar home as the very first player of the very first El Paso USL team.  This is El Paso’s team and nothing symbolizes that more than bringing a true El Pasoan on board as our first signing,” said Josh Hunt, Chairman and CEO of MountainStar Sports Group.    

“This was a remarkable opportunity for us to sign a world-class player with international experience whose roots are firmly planted in El Paso.  Omar is a wonderful person who will represent El Paso well both on and off the pitch,” said Alan Ledford, President of MountainStar Sports Group.  “We are happy to welcome him home.” 

Bio – Omar Salgado

A former Cathedral High School student, Salgado left El Paso at the age of 15 to further his career with soccer giants Club Deportivo Guadalajara, better known as Chivas. With Chivas, he scored seven goals in 10 appearances and was named Player of the Tournament in South America’s U-17 Copa Liberatores competition. Salgado left Chivas when he accepted a call-up for the United States U-20 team, and also has represented the United States at the U-17, U-18, and U-23 levels.  Salgado, now 24, was selected first overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft by the Vancouver Whitecaps FC after training with current English Premier League sides Everton FC and Fulham FC. He started in four of his first 14 appearances as a rookie, scoring Vancouver’s lone goal in his first start against the Columbus Crew. The striker suffered two fractured foot injuries in 2012 and 2013, the second of which sidelined Salgado for the entire 2013 MLS season. After a successful loan to USL club Charleston Battery in 2014, the striker was recalled by the Whitecaps first team before being traded to New York City FC and purchased by Tigres UANL of Liga MX three weeks later at the end of that year. Omar Salgado was raised in El Paso and holds dual citizenship in the United States and Mexico. The striker was active in youth soccer in the Sun City, playing for the Texas Fire Soccer Club. Salgado attended St. Joseph School and Cathedral High School.

About El Paso USL

For more information about El Paso USL, please visit www.elpasousl.com/club.

El Paso, TX – April 25, 2018 – Today MountainStar Sports Group President, Alan Ledford, announced that Andrew Forrest has been hired as General Manager, Business Operations for the new El Paso USL organization. 

“Andrew’s accomplishments in professional soccer team business management and his extensive experience in sales and operations will drive an effective organization for El Paso USL,”said Alan Ledford, President of MountainStar Sports Group. “We are excited to have Andrew join our organization as we prepare for the inaugural season of professional soccer in El Paso in March of 2019.”

Mr. Forrest comes to El Paso from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he was most recently employed as General Manager for Learfield Sports.  Prior to that, he worked for the San Antonio Scorpions Professional Soccer Team as Director of Sponsorship and then as Vice President and Assistant General Manager.  He held previous positions with Playbook Management International, as Senior Account Executive with the San Antonio Scorpions and as Consultant with FC Edmonton and in the cities of Baltimore and Dallas.  Mr. Forrest is a graduate of Roanoke College (Salem, Virginia) and he earned an M.S. in Kinesiology – Sport Leadership from James Madison University (Harrisonburg, Virginia). 

“With the help of Marquee Search, we conducted outreach nationwide to fill this critical position for El Paso USL,” added Ledford.  “We believe Andrew’s experience and background make him an excellent choice to get our organization up and running.”   

Mr. Forrest joins Sarah Nollner, Manager of Business Operations, who was the first hire for MountainStar Sports Group’s USL operation earlier this year.  She joined El Paso USL from Major League Soccer/Soccer United Marketing in New York City where she was the Marketing and Media Consultant for the Mexican National Team, Copa America Centenario, and Gold Cup.  Prior to that, she worked with Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles in US Business Operations.  Ms. Nollner is a graduate of University of Kentucky and earned her MBA in Sports at San Diego State University.

The El Paso USL staff also includes Ryan Schmitz, Sales and Service Representative.  Mr. Schmitz came to El Paso from Boulder, Colorado, where he worked in sales for Xfinity and Assurance Wireless.  Before that, he was employed by the Reno Aces (MiLB) and Reno 1868 (USL) as Communications Coordinator.  Mr. Schmitz held previous public relations positions with the University of Florida Athletic Association, the Seattle Mariners and the Denver Broncos.  Schmitz is a graduate of the University of Missouri.

El Paso USL fans interested in placing a Season Seat Deposit can do so at www.elpasousl.com/tickets or by calling 915-235-GOAL.  Prices and packages will be announced soon. 

“The hometown pride of soccer fans is evident in the entries we’ve seen so far. We are getting a true sense of how the team name will shape the entire brand of El Paso USL. From the team crest to the mascot, we envision that the tradition of the game will blend with the cultural feel of the Borderplex,” added Ledford.

El Paso USL soccer will debut in March of 2019. Those interested in placing a Season Seat Deposit to be among the first to select their season tickets can do so with a $50 per seat deposit at www.elpasousl.com/tickets or may call 915-235-GOAL. Ticket prices and packages will be announced in the coming months.