The full 2021 El Paso Locomotive FC regular season schedule has finally arrived after five long months of waiting in the offseason. While the schedule boasts plenty of what should be thrilling, nail-biting games, here are five games that you absolutely can not miss in 2021.
1. Home Opener vs New Mexico United
Saturday, May 8 | 7:30 p.m. MT
There is no rivalry more heated in the Western Conference than one between El Paso Locomotive FC and New Mexico United, and what better way to get the season to a roaring start than with the Derby del Rio Grande. The last time the Locos Blue clashed with the Black-and-Yellow was in the Western Conference Semifinal last season that saw Locomotive advanced behind a penalty shootout, making this contest at Southwest University Park a long-awaited rematch.
2. Home vs Indy Eleven
Wednesday, June 9
The 2021 Season brings with it some new faces for El Paso Locomotive FC, as United Soccer League introduces cross-conference regular-season matchups for the first time since 2017. In an East vs West matchup, Locomotive welcomes one of the best from the East, Indy Eleven, to Southwest University Park, bringing the excitement of an unfamiliar matchup to El Paso.
3. Home vs Sacramento Republic FC
Saturday, September 11
El Paso Locomotive and Sacramento Republic FC meet for the first time since the electrifying 2019 Western Conference Semifinal that saw Los Locos claim a 3-0 win to punch its ticket to the final. Since that thrilling contest, the two sides have found themselves in different groups and avoiding conflict in the 2020 season, with an opportunity for a rematch looming just around the corner.
4. Away at FC Tulsa
Saturday, October 9
Similar to Sacramento Republic, El Paso Locomotive FC and FC Tulsa will have their playoff rematch after Los Locos eliminated Tulsa from playoff contention behind a penalty shootout in the 2020 Western Conference Quarterfinals. With FC Tulsa playing in the Eastern Conference for the 2021 season, it’s now a battle of East vs West supremacy when the two meet again at ONEOK Field.
- Away at Rio Grande Valley FC
Saturday, October 30
The Locomotive third regular-season culminates at the end of October with the close of the Copa Tejas the same way it began – against Rio Grande Valley FC. As the final match of the 2020 Regular Season, the game could prove to be a decider in sealing the fate for Locomotive FC, whether it is a playoff berth or securing a home game to kick off the Championship Trophy run in the postseason.
