Nearly three years ago, a chance opportunity changed the life of El Paso native Louis ‘Chapa’ Herrera. Chapa – who had dreamed of playing soccer at the professional level since he was young – was offered an invitation to try out for El Paso’s latest sports addition, El Paso Locomotive. Chapa performed well in the tryouts ahead of the Locomotive inaugural season, turning his dream into a reality, earning the young El Pasoan his first professional contract. Now, nearly three years later, Chapa has made his 50th appearance for his hometown club.
“It’s really amazing. I never thought it would come so quick,” shared Chapa. “I’m just grateful for Mark [Lowry] and Locomotive for giving me the opportunity and trusting in me. This is only the beginning and I’m still working hard to get in more games.”
Chapa started playing in local amateur games and tournaments while juggling a job in construction as a roofer. Joining the Alianza de Futbol tournament in 2018, Chapa’s life changed when one of his Santander teammates approached him after a game.
“He saw Mark scouting the game,” said Chapa. “He told me, ‘Hey, Mark came and asked for you.’ I couldn’t believe it. After three games, Mark came up to me and said, ‘I want to invite you to the tryouts.’ I couldn’t believe that because I was actually already planning on paying for the tryouts, so it was a surprise.”
After performing in the tryouts ahead of the Locomotive inaugural season, Chapa got the call and he knew positive news was coming. He and his family were invited to come by the stadium and it was at that moment he knew he was going to be wearing his hometown badge.
Since signing his first professional contract, Chapa has played 2,592 minutes over his 50 appearances following the scoreless draw against New Mexico United last weekend. Since that time, Chapa has accomplished incredible firsts.
“I’ve grown a lot,” continued Chapa. “I’ve learned a lot with Mark and all the players around me. It feels good to play with players that teach you something new every day. I’m just blessed with the opportunity Locomotive has provided me. I’m ready to keep learning each and every day.”
On March 23, 2019, coming in as a substitution in the 80th minute against Rio Grande Valley FC, Chapa Herrera made his professional debut. He made his way into the rotation as a regular sub before earning his first Locomotive start in its inaugural Open Cup match against Forward Madison on May 15 the same year. A couple of weeks later, he would start again, this time in the USL Championship against LA Galaxy II.
In 2020, for Locomotive’s second year, Chapa became more of a regular starter, earning his first two professional goals in incredible fashion. In the 66th minute against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, Chapa found his first through beautiful passing and team play. Before the smoke could settle, in the 68th minute, he would double that with a perfect run through the Switchbacks defense to get on the end of a cut-in pass for his second professional goal. It was a performance that earned a nod from the league with his first Team of the Week spot.
All the while, Chapa Herrera has helped lift his hometown club to two back-to-back Western Conference Final, starting and playing just over an hour in the 2020 Conference Final against Phoenix Rising FC. It has been a dream come true for the 25-year-old El Pasoan, who has noted that it’s a special moment to reach 50 games for Locomotive.
“I come here and enjoy every day. I used to work in the sun, on the roof, so coming here and doing what I love is something incredible,” shared Chapa.
“A lot of guys have reached that milestone this season,” said Head Coach and Technical Director Mark Lowry. “Logan [Ketterer], Richie [Ryan], Yuma, and a few others have come through to 50 this season. Having Chapa there, it’s special for me, it’s special for him, and it’s special for this club.
When we brought him in three years ago, he was kind of an amateur player, playing in local leagues, working a building site. If you had said to me he would get 50 appearances for the club, I might not have believed it. We knew he had potential. Every season he has gotten better and stronger. He applies himself every day.”
Lowry certainly believes in Chapa. He believes he will earn another 50 appearances for the Borderland club, noting that the El Pasoan has the mentality and drive that he wants to keep around in the club. As for what’s next for Chapa, his goals are aligned with Mark’s and the rest of the club.
“Keep working with the team,” said Chapa. “Hopefully we can get a Championship for El Paso. We’ve managed to get to two Western Conference Finals, I think it’s time now to get that trophy here in EP.”
Chapa Herrera and El Paso Locomotive continue that journey to find its first Championship trophy on Saturday, July 31 when it hosts Real Monarchs SLC at Southwest University Park. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. MT and tickets are still available to purchase online at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/eplocomotivefc/tickets or by phone by calling 915-235-GOAL.