El Paso Locomotive FC (0-1-0, 0 points, West-10) fell 0-1 to Sacramento Republic in its season opener at Southwest University Park on Saturday night.
Via El Paso Locomotive
“We did everything but score the goal,” Head Coach and Technical Director Brian Clarhaut said about the team’s performance. “You saw a Locomotive team that grinds, and work rate is impressive. If we can continue that type of intensity and be better in the box, we will win games in this league.”
El Paso played quick and aggressive from the opening whistle, with Locomotive breaking the Republic backline in the first six minutes of play to register their first two chances at goal. Locomotive would display dominance on the pitch in both halves, consistently challenging Sacramento to sit back and defend.
However, the deadlock would break just before the end of the first half in the 42nd minute when Sacramento’s Russell Cicerone tapped in the game’s lone goal from within the six-yard box, assisted by Jack Gurr on the opposite side.
Despite maintaining a majority of the possession and continuous chances on goal, Locomotive was unable to find the back of the net and registers its first loss of 2023.
TEAM NOTES
- Goalkeeper Benny Diaz, defender Bence Pavkovics, defender Marc Navarro and midfielder Denys Kostyshyn all made their Locomotive debuts tonight.
- Tonight’s result was Sacramento’s first win at Southwest University Park. The all-time series record is now 5-2-0 (4-1-0 at home) in favor of Locomotive.
SCORING SUMMARY
- SAC 1 – Russell Cicerone (Jack Gurr) 42′
LINEUPS
ELP – Benny Diaz, Nick Hinds, Yuma, Bence Pavkovics, Marc Navarro (Miles Lyons 66’), Emmanuel Sonupe (Chris Garcia 45’), Eric Calvillo, Liam Rose (Louis Herrera 66’), Denys Kostyshyn (Ander Egiluz 85’), Aaron Gomez, Ricardo Zacarias (Diego Abarca 78’)
Subs Not Used: Eder Borelli, Javier Garcia
SAC – Daniel Vitiello, Shane Weidt, Conor Donovan, Jared Timmer, Damia Viader, Luis Rodrigues, Arnold Lopez (Matt LaGrassa 78’), Jack Gurr, Rodrigo Lopez (Zeiko Lewis 76’), Russell Cicerone (Aldair Sanchez 86’), Juan Herrera (Luther Archimede 76’)
Subs Not Used: Carlos Saldana, Johnny Fenwick, Nick Ross
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
- ELP – Yuma (Yellow Card) 21’
- SAC – Shane Weidt (Yellow Card) 17’, Arnold Lopez (Yellow Card) 75’
MATCH STATS: ELP | SAC
GOALS: 0|1
ASSISTS: 0|1
SHOTS: 12|10
SHOTS ON GOAL: 3|4
SAVES: 3|3
FOULS: 6|16
OFFSIDES: 0|3
CORNER KICKS: 6|3
UP NEXT: Wednesday, March 15 vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Kickoff 7 p.m. MT @ Southwest University Park. Purchase tickets here. Promotions for this match include a free commemorative flag giveaway, available to the first 1,500 fans who enter the stadium!
ON THE HORIZON: Saturday, March 18 vs Detroit City FC. Kickoff 7:30 p.m. MT @ Southwest University Park. Purchase tickets here. Locomotive will host St. Paddy’s on the Pitch, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with all Locomotive fans, as well the first post-match fireworks show of 2023!
