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EL PASO, TX – October 10, 2019 – El Paso Locomotive FC need only one point to secure their place in the USL Championship postseason after drawing with Austin Bold FC at home in front of an electric crowd. El Paso sits in 8th place in the West and have two matches left in the regular season to better their standing heading into post-season play. If the Locos earn one point on Tuesday, they could be the first 2019 expansion club to earn a playoff spot.

The first goal of the match came in the final 20 minutes of the match. Locomotive forward Jerome Kiesewetter was taken down in Austin’s box and earned his side the penalty. Teammate Sebastian Velasquez would step up to the spot and take the kick. Showing his professionalism, the midfielder sent his left foot booming through the ball and sent it thundering past the keeper to give his side the lead. Austin would find one of their own in the 83rd minute to equalize, splitting the points with El Paso.

El Paso have found form in the tail end of the season; earning 11 points in their last five matches and are the only team in the West to remain unbeaten in their last five matches. The Locos need a single point to guarantee a playoff spot and close out the regular season against

Portland Timbers 2 (October 15th) at home and LA Galaxy II (October 19th) away.  

El Paso Locomotive FC play their final regular season home match on Tuesday, October 15th at 7:00 PM against Portland Timbers 2. Season Ticket Memberships, Group Tickets, and Individual Match Tickets are available and may  be purchased at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/eplocomotivefc/ticket or by calling 915-235-GOAL!

Texas. The Lonestar State. A land who has had six flags claim her, one being her own. From out in the West Texas town, to the furthest eastern reaches; We do things differently down here. Tomorrow, a battle for a spot in the postseason goes down on the border.

The capital city’s team makes its way west and will be met with a Locomotive side that is barreling down the tracks with one mantra in mind; “win and we’re in!” Thursday night’s matchup between El Paso and Austin could see one of the expansion teams securing their spot in the playoffs for their inaugural season. Austin sits one place above El Paso in the standings but both expansion sides have amassed 46 points; two points is the magic number for either side and a win would seal things up.

In the first meeting between the expansion clubs, the points were split. At the end of 90 minutes things would end in a nil-nil draw. Much has changed since that Easter Sunday; the Locos have found their form. Toppling two top 4 clubs and drawing with the other, grabbing seven points across those three matches last week. Nothing stops this train.

There will be fireworks, literally and figuratively, this Thursday night! For Fan Appreciation Night, our community picked the kits and the songs to accompany the post-match firework extravaganza. Eleven lucky fans will also be going home with a singed mini ball that the starters will be throwing out into the stands pregame. This match is as much about getting the work in to snag a spot in the postseason as it is about telling each and every one of you who bleeds Desert Dusk blue, “thank you.” We couldn’t have gotten to where we are without you, and we aren’t finished yet. See you all at Southwest University Park, VAMOS LOCOS!

USL Championship Team of the Week

GK – JT Marcinkowski, Reno 1868 FC: Marcinkowski posted a nine-save shutout to earn 1868 FC a point in a 0-0 draw against El Paso Locomotive FC on Saturday night.

D – Onua Obasi, Ottawa Fury FC: Obasi won 16 of 20 duels, went 8 of 8 in aerial duels and made 12 recoveries as Fury FC earned a 1-0 victory against Indy Eleven last Wednesday night.

D – Chiro N’Toko, El Paso Locomotive FC: N’Toko scored once, completed 58 of 59 passes, won 4 of 5 duels and made four recoveries as Locomotive FC took victory against Fresno FC last Wednesday night.

D – Abdoulie Mansallay, Charlotte Independence: Mansally recorded one assist, had four chances created, made nine recoveries and completed 27 of 36 passes as the Independence defeated Bethlehem.

M – Harry Forrester, Orange County SC: Forrester scored once, completed 40 of 49 passes and 4 of 5 dribbles, won 9 of 14 duels and 2 of 3 tackles as Orange County took a 2-0 win against OKC Energy FC.

M – Gordon Wild, Loudoun United FC: Wild had one goal on five shots, recorded three key passes and completed 3 of 5 crosses as Loudoun took victory on Friday night against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

M – Jose Anguinaga, Phoenix Rising FC: Anguinaga had one goal, two assists, six chances created and completed 43 of 51 passes in Rising FC’s 5-3 victory against the Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday.

M – Irvin Parra, Las Vegas Lights FC: Parra scored a pair of goals to lead Las Vegas to a 4-2 victory against San Antonio FC on Saturday night that kept Lights FC’s playoff chances alive.

F – Thomas Enevoldsen, Sacramento Republic FC: Enevoldsen had two goals and one assist for the week, including a goal and assist in Republic FC’s 3-2 victory against Tulsa Roughnecks FC on Saturday.

F – Ben Spencer, Phoenix Rising FC: Spencer notched a pair of goals and completed 26 of 30 passes as Rising FC took victory against the Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday night.

F – Justin Dhillon, Tacoma Defiance: Dhillon scored twice and notched an assist as the Defiance took their first road win of the season in a 4-1 victory against Fresno FC on Saturday night.

Bench: Andre Rawls (COS), George Campbell (ATL), Karl Ouimette (IND), Magnus Rasmussen (LOU), Robbie Kristo (NC), Sebastian Velasquez (ELP), Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez (TAC)

EL PASO, TX – October 5, 2019 – El Paso Locomotive FC took to the road and picked up one point against the number three team in the West, Reno 1868 FC. El Paso has defeated two top-four teams in the past week and have picked up a total of seven points across their last three matches, furthering their commitment to the post season.

Locomotive barreled down the tracks and dominated the home team, recording 23 shots, 15 of those coming in the first half. El Paso showed grit and tenacity and proved that they are a top contender in the Western Conference. Locomotive sit two points outside of fourth place and have at least a game in hand over the majority of the field.

For the first time this season, all four local players were on the pitch at the same time; Omar Salgado, Louis “Chapa” Herrera, Guillermo Diaz, and Josue Aaron Gomez who all made their impact felt in this dominating performance.

The Locos have three matches remaining, with a possibility of grabbing nine points and exploding into the top four, opening the possibility of hosting a home playoff match in their inaugural season.

El Paso Locomotive FC plays their next match at home on Thursday, October 10th against Austin. Season Ticket Memberships, Group Tickets, and Individual Match Tickets can be purchased at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/eplocomotivefc/ticket or by calling 915-235-GOAL!

EL PASO, TX – October 2, 2019 – El Paso Locomotive FC topple the number two team in the West, Fresno FC and continue their #Push4Playoff campaign in heroic fashion. El Paso extend their winning streak to three consecutive matches after defeating Fresno 2-1 tonight. El Paso have defeated two top four teams in the past five days.

The first goal of the night came from defender Chiro Ntoko (his first of the season) who pounced on a loose ball at the top of Fresno’s box after a failed corner clearance. Ntoko stepped to the ball and sent his right foot through it with pace, delivering it into the back of the Fresno net. The Foxes would answer with one of their own in the 66th minute but it wouldn’t be enough to stop the thundering Locomotive.

“We are keeping this momentum going as long as our players are healthy. We are going to continue playing well and getting points. Right now, it’s a good moment and we want to continue with this. You have to do a great job of being in that moment, the ecstasy and the lows. Tomorrow we focus on Reno,” commented Coach Mark Lowry

El Paso’s final goal came in the waning moments of the match, when it appeared that things would end in a draw. Omar Salgado linked up with James Kiffe, finding him in the Fresno box. Kiffe hit a rocket of a volley at the keeper who was forced to make a save that sent the ball into traffic. Jerome Kiesewetter was on top of the ball in fractions of a second and only had to tap it into the net. The moment the ball crossed the line, all of Southwest University Park went into a state of mania. This was the third match in a row where Locomotive have scored in the 90th minute or later.

Locomotive are sitting in 8th place and are only one point outside of fourth place with a game in hand as they continue their #Push4Playoff campaign in the inaugural season.

El Paso Locomotive FC plays their next match at home on Thursday, October 10th against Austin. Season Ticket Memberships, Group Tickets, and Individual Match Tickets can be purchased at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/eplocomotivefc/ticket or by calling 915-235-GOAL!

USL Championship Team of the Week

GK – Kyle Morton, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Morton posted a three-save shutout as the Hounds took a 3-0 victory against Indy Eleven on Saturday night, extending the club’s current shutout streak to 646 minutes.

D – Manny Perez, North Carolina FC: Perez came off the bench and recorded two assists while winning 4 of 5 duels and making two recoveries to help North Carolina rally to an important win against Ottawa Fury FC.

D – Noah Powder, Real Monarchs SLC: Powder scored the opening goal as the Monarchs rallied for a 2-1 victory on the road in Reno while also completing 39 of 43 passes and 4 of 5 dribbles and winning 7 of 11 duels.

D – Bryam Rebellon, El Paso Locomotive FC: Rebellon scored the tying goal, completed 34 of 46 passes, made six recoveries and three tackles and won 8 of 12 duels as Locomotive FC rallied past Republic FC on Saturday night.

M – Walter Restrepo, San Antonio FC: Restrepo had two goals, one assist and eight chances created, while completing 10 of 13 dribbles over two games that included a key home win against Fresno FC on Saturday.

M – Kenardo Forbes, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Forbes scored two goals in the Hounds’ victory against Indy Eleven, had three key passes and completed 67 of 78 passes overall for the week as Pittsburgh moved into second place in the East.

M – Enzo Martinez, Charlotte Independence: Martinez had two goals, one assist and four chances created while also recording seven recoveries in Charlotte’s victory against Hartford Athletic on Saturday.

M – Joey Calistri, Phoenix Rising FC: Calistri scored both goals as Rising FC rallied to earn a 2-2 draw with New Mexico United, while also recording two key passes and completing 13 of 16 passes overall after coming on as a substitute.

M – Cristhian Altamirano, Tulsa Roughnecks FC: Altamirano had one goal, two assists and over two games completed 40 of 52 passes and recorded six chances created as the Roughnecks took four points for the week.

F – Gordon Wild, Loudoun United FC: Wild recorded the first hat trick in Loudoun’s history in a victory against Swope Park, and had five chances created and 33 of 38 completed passes over two games for the week.

F – Irvin Parra, Las Vegas Lights FC: Parra had two goals and one assist, completed of 14 of 17 passes and 3 of 4 dribbles to lead Lights FC to a crucial road victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

Bench: Nico Corti (RGV), Cam Lindley (MEM), Kevin Rodriguez (RGV), Ethan Zubak (LA), Neco Brett (PIT), Daniel Rios (NSH), Malik Johnson (TBR)

He walks through the door and greets us with a smile, he is quiet and nods with a barely audible “hello”; don’t mistake it for being rude or standoffish, he is soft-spoken and reserved. He lets his playing do the talking, and lately, he’s been talking a lot.

Josúe Aaron Gómez joined El Paso Locomotive in May, by way of loan from FC Juárez in our sister city. Gomez’s journey didn’t begin in the Borderland, but by way of fate, he would find a new home in El Paso with a first-year club. Gomez, like a few of his teammates, left home at a young age to pursue a dream; a dream that would require the youngster to leave home, family and his life behind to join the academy system for Chivas, one of Mexico’s elite clubs.

“It’s much easier for me to stay calm and just enjoy every moment,” Gomez comments when reflecting back on his career and his most recent successes in Locomotive colors. “Even when I was young, and left home at ten, I was excited and just wanted to enjoy the experience. Sure, I missed my family but the academy and the people in it became my family. I always try to see the positive in everything,” the now 25-year-old Gomez tells us. When you watch him play, you can see the way in which he carries himself reflects his personality. He is grounded, collected, and in the moment. His sense of professionalism rivals all around him.

When Gomez began his loan with El Paso, he was getting minutes every few matches and it was evident that he made a difference the moment his studs touched the pitch. On September 4th, he would open his scoring account and prove vital in securing points for the Locos in the draw with Tulsa. Three days later, the young attacker got his first brace, the first goal coming within 60 seconds of him subbing onto the field and his second goal of the night coming in the final minutes of the match. Reflecting his off the field persona, Gomez scooped up the ball, waved to the crowd and proceeded to make his way back to start the game again. No showboating, taunting, or even much cheering; the saying goes, “Act like you’ve been there before” and Gomez radiates that mantra.

“Being here has been a great experience, my family and I really love it here. This has been one of, if not my, favorite place to play and live,” Gomez’s wife Jeanette tells us as she switches between English and Spanish without skipping a beat. “Aaron tells me all the time about the connection between all the players that he hasn’t seen in other teams. Here on this team, we are more of a family than we have felt in other places.” The shy and reserved Gomez gets a playful elbow from his wife as they go back and forth. She teases him and tells us that she is helping him come out of his shell a bit more. His two young sons watch on as their parents discuss everything that has led their family to this exact moment in time.

In 99 percent of other professions, our families rarely see us while we are working. An accountant doesn’t invite their friends and family to watch them during tax season, pounding away on their calculator and cheering them on as they find those refunds. Sports are unique in that way, your career is a spectacle, your family and loved ones literally watch you labor. Every pass, every touch and every moment is in plain view. “It’s important for me, I really enjoy getting to play in front of my family, and to set a great example for my kids,” finishes Gomez.

A week after this interview, Gomez would go on to score the game-winning goal in the 91st minute to boost Locomotive up the standings and into a deeper playoff position. When asked about that match, he echoed his persona, “we fight until the end.” The fight continues as Gomez and Locomotive take on Fresno at home, battling to get three points and pursue their playoff dreams.

SACRAMENTO, CA – September 28, 2019 – El Paso Locomotive FC defeat Sacramento Republic FC 2-1 on the road to gain a thundering three points and move deeper into securing a play-off position. The match began with two weather delays that shifted the momentum and saw the Locos go down a goal early in the match. The rain wasn’t enough to stop this train.  

El Paso’s first goal of the night came from defender Bryam Rebellon who finished a deflected ball off a Sacramento defender. Rebellon hit a bouncing volley on his first touch and sent the ball booming into the back of the net, notching his second goal of the season.

El Paso’s winning goal came in the waning moments of the match, when it seemed that things would end in a draw. The go-ahead goal was awarded to Aaron Gomez, his third in the last four matches. After the four minutes of stoppage time were added, the elusive and calm attacker pounced on a poorly deflected clearance and gave his team and city the winning goal.

With this win, El Paso sit in ninth place, with three points separating them from fifth place. El Paso Locomotive FC plays their next match at home on Wednesday, October 2nd against Fresno. Season Ticket Memberships, Group Tickets, and Individual Match Tickets can be purchased at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/eplocomotivefc/ticket or by calling 915-235-GOAL!

USL Championship Team of the Week

GK – CJ Cochran, Fresno FC: Cochran made seven saves across two contests – including a penalty kick save in each – as the Foxes took victories against Rio Grande Valley FC and Phoenix Rising FC.

D – Bryam Rebellon, El Paso Locomotive FC: Rebellon scored the opening goal, completed 53 of 62 passes and made one interception and six recoveries in Locomotive FC’s victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

D – Michael Orozco, Orange County SC: Orozco recorded the assist on Orange County’s late game-winner, had three chances created overall and completed 42 of 48 passes against Tulsa Roughnecks FC.

D – Justin Davis, Nashville SC: Davis contributed to back-to-back shutouts for NSC over the week, making nine recoveries, winning 12 of 20 duels and recording seven chances created against Birmingham Legion FC and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.

M – Napo Matsoso, Louisville City FC: Matsoso scored a pair of goals, went a perfect 24 of 24 passing and made three interceptions and five recoveries in LouCity’s 5-3 victory against the New York Red Bulls II.

M – Felipe Hernandez, Swope Park Rangers: Hernandez had one assist, eight chances created and completed 37 of 43 passes while winning 7 of 8 duels in the Rangers’ 3-0 win against the Charlotte Independence.

M – Dairon Asprilla, Portland Timbers 2: Asprilla scored two goals, added one assist and completed 31 of 36 passes to lead T2 to a 6-3 victory against Tacoma Defiance on Friday night.

M – Malik Johnson, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Johnson recorded three assists as the Rowdies romped to victory against Bethlehem Steel FC while completing 22 of 25 passes and 13 of 15 dribbles and winning 16 of 22 duels.

F – Kleber, Austin Bold FC: The Brazilian recorded a hat trick and completed 41 of 51 passes overall to lead Bold FC to a 4-1 victory in its home finale against Las Vegas Lights FC.

F – Hadji Barry, Ottawa Fury FC: Barry scored a hat trick, twice converting from the penalty spot, as Fury FC wrapped up a two-win week with a 4-1 win against Hartford Athletic at TD Place on Sunday.

F – Jaime Chavez, Fresno FC: Chavez recorded three goals – including the game-winner against Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday – and one assist and had five chances created over two contests as the Foxes clinched a playoff place.

Bench: Kyle Morton (PIT), Prosper Kasim (BHM), Luiz Fernando (ATL), Maikel Chang (SLC) Cam Lindley (MEM), Eric Bird (RGV), Corey Hertzog (RNO)