Tag Archives: el paso locomotive FC

Club officials announced Friday morning that El Paso Locomotive FC had transferred forward Marios Lomis to North Carolina FC.

“We would like to wish Marios well in his return to NCFC,” stated Head Coach, Technical Director Mark Lowry.

“With it being a short season, we felt it was important for Marios to go and play, as we couldn’t guarantee him the game time here that he wanted. He is a great professional and we wish him all the best in the future.”

Lomis was featured in five appearances with three starts through the 2020 season, recording 267 minutes in total.

Previously, Lomis signed with USL Championship’s North Carolina FC (NCFC), where he spent the 2018 and 2019 season. In his first season with NCFC, Lomis recorded 896 minutes in 23 USL matches, while scoring five goals and adding two assists. He also had a strong U.S. Open Cup campaign, where he added three goals and one assist.

El Paso Locomotive FC officials announced that the club will continue to play without fans in attendance for the Saturday, August 8 home match against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

Saturday night in the Valley of the Sun, El Paso Locomotive FC (1-2-2, 5 points) fell 1-3 against Phoenix Rising FC.

Andrew Fox, El Paso Locomotive Defender had a phenomenal performance that turned heads against New Mexico United to earn him a spot in Week 4’s Team of the Week Starting XI.

The veteran defender played across the field on the night, completing 87% of his passes while creating three chances for Los Locos for an opportunity on goal.

On the defensive side, Fox recorded five recoveries and two tackles, including a picture-perfect clearance following a huge deflection from teammate GK Logan Ketterer to protect the scoring.

The Englishman’s performance was topped off by finishing up a Locomotive corner kick in first-half stoppage time to provide his side the 2-1 advantage going into the break.

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 4

GK – Parfait Mandanda, Hartford Athletic: Mandanda recorded a three-save shutout and provided the assist on the lone goal of the game as Hartford Athletic took victory on the road against the New York Red Bulls II.

D – Jesus Vazquez, LA Galaxy II: Vazquez scored the game-winning goal for Los Dos, and put in a solid display defensively as the visitors handed San Diego Loyal SC its first loss of its inaugural season at Torero Stadium.

D – Phanuel Kavita, Saint Louis FC: Kavita put in a strong display at the back with nine clearances and nine recoveries while winning 7 of 10 duels, and he also completed 32 of 38 passes in STLFC’s shutout win against Louisville City FC.

D – Andrew Fox, El Paso Locomotive FC: Fox scored once, completed 47 of 54 passes, recorded three chances created and recorded two tackles and five recoveries in his side’s 2-2 draw with New Mexico United.

M – Taiberson, Rio Grande Valley FC: The Brazilian scored a late equalizer against San Antonio FC after a performance that saw him register three shots, two chances created and win 11 of 13 duels while completing 36 of 43 passes overall.

M – Daniel Griffin, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Griffin recorded one goal and two assists in his first professional start, recording three key passes and completing 23 of 28 passes overall against the Philadelphia Union II.

M – Bruno Lapa, Birmingham Legion FC: Lapa recorded three goals and one assist in his first two professional appearances, leading Legion FC to victories against Memphis 901 FC and the Charleston Battery.

M – Kenardo Forbes, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Forbes recorded the 18th instance of a three-assist game in the Championship’s history, and completed 66 of 80 passes, won 9 of 14 duels and made 10 recoveries as he led the Hounds against the Philadelphia Union II.

F – Jaime Chavez, OKC Energy FC: Chavez recorded two goals and one assist as Energy FC picked up four points on the week, including a goal and assist on his 33rd birthday in a 3-1 road win against Austin Bold FC.

F – Alec Diaz, Tacoma Defiance: Diaz scored two goals in two games and completed 25 of 28 passes over the two contests to help the Defiance take four points against Sacramento Republic FC and the Portland Timbers 2.

F – Dariusz Formella, Sacramento Republic FC: Formella scored twice on four shots, recorded three chances created and completed 26 of 32 passes overall in Sacramento’s 3-3 draw with Tacoma Defiance.

Bench: Kyle Morton (STL), Abdul Rwatubyaye (COS), Daniel Robles (TAC), Leo Fernandes (TBR), Chris Wehan (NM), Brian Wright (BHM), Tyler Pasher (IND)

On Monday morning, El Paso Locomotive officials announced that this week’s match would again be played with no fans in attendance.

“In response to the ongoing developments surrounding COVID-19 locally and statewide, El Paso Locomotive FC has opted to continue play without fans in attendance for the Friday, July 24 match against New Mexico United,” club officials announced via a news release.

Officials added, “Locomotive FC will continue to diligently monitor the situation and remain in constant communication with health officials as the club moves forward with future home matches and the 2020 season.”

The match will be broadcast live locally on El Paso/Las Cruces CW and nationally on ESPN+ at 7:30 p.m. MT.

Fans may still support El Paso Locomotive FC from home via the Cutout Conductor program, while watching the broadcasts.

To purchase or to get more information on Cutout Conductors, click here..

It was a hard fought middle of the week match, as New Mexico United took on the homestanding Locomotive Wednesday night at Southwest University Park.

El Paso Locomotive FC (1-0-2, 5 points) split the points with a 2-2 scoreline against New Mexico United following a heated contest in the rain on Wednesday. FW Omar Salgado and DF Andrew Fox each recorded goals for the equalizer.

“Every point is important, not losing games is important, we are unbeaten in three, ” said Head Coach Mark Lowry, in a post-game press conference. “All those things are important and right now, it’s just raw because we had the chances to win the game. I think we are the team that’s most disappointed with the tie which says a lot about the group we have. We want to win every game.”

The derby got off to a quick start as United played in high pressure, punishing Locomotive on small mistakes in passing. The high pressure paid off early as an awkward bounce in the pass back landed at the feet of Chris Wehan who converted the opening goal. While Locomotive survived the heavy pressure through the rest of the first half, the El Paso side came back fighting late in the first when Salgado snuck one into the net in the 43^rd minute and Fox converted on the follow-through following chaos after a corner in extra time.

The early moments of the second half, Locomotive was the stronger team, putting pressure in around Cody Mizell’s goal, however, New Mexico United quickly regained its high-pressure play, taking control of possession. As the rain started to fall, the game turned into an intense back and forth as each side fought for control. Though Locomotive sought the go-ahead against a 10-man United, the two split the points on the night.

UP NEXT: Locomotive FC returns to Southwest University Park for round two against New Mexico United. Kickoff is set for 7:30 P.M. MT on Friday, July 24, and will be presented live on ESPN+ and El Paso – Las Cruces CW.

GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN

NM: Chris Wehan, 11^th minute – New Mexico started off with high pressure in the first half, keeping Locomotive deep within its own half. Ketterer was unable to handle a pass back from Jerome, allowing a Wehan in waiting to clean up the pieces and send United ahead with the opening goal.

ELP: Omar Salgado, 43^rd minute – Bryam Rebellon took the run down the flank on the right side before sending a low pass to the far post where the ball took a small deflection off a New Mexico defender and into the path of Omar Salgado who snuck a strike into the back of the net.

ELP: Andrew Fox, 45^th+4 minute – A corner kick sent into the middle of the box, and an attempted bicycle kick sees the ball loose in the penalty area following a deflection from United goalkeeper, Cody Mizell. Fox was quick on the reflexes to respond cleaning up the goal for the Locomotive advantage.

NM: Devon Sandoval (PK), 77^th minute – A bad sliding tackle at the top of the box prompts the ref to point to the spot in favor of United. Sandoval stepped up to the spot and sent the ball to the low left, barely slipping past an outreached Logan Ketterer.

Our very own Johnny Yturales was at the match and we bring you his view of the excitement via this gallery.

Tuesday morning, El Paso Locomotive FC officials announced that the club has signed forward Leandro Carrijo from Liga MX side FC Juarez, pending league and federation approval.

“Leandro will be another excellent addition to our group and once again highlights the relationship we have with FC Juarez,” stated Mark Lowry, Technical Director and Head Coach.

“Leandro has been a proven goal scorer throughout his career, his quality is undeniable, and I’m looking forward to seeing him playing in our system and staying in a region where he is already loved by so many.”

Club officials add that the signing builds further on the partnership across the Borderplex following the loan extension of midfielder Josué Aarón Gómez and the recent signing of defender Eder Borelli.

Carrijo joins Locomotive FC as one of the top goal scorers for FC Juarez, having scored 73 goals across 102 appearances. Playing a seasoned career across leagues in Brazil, Hong Kong, and Mexico, the 34-year-old veteran is clinical in the final third having scored 36 goals in 77 appearances across the three leagues.

The Brazilian’s storied career is championed with a Minas Gerais State League title win in 2007 as well as an Ascenso MX Apertura win in 2015 with FC Juarez.

El Paso Locomotive FC’s roster headed into 2020 Return to Play, listed alphabetically by position, is below:

Goalkeepers (2): Jermaine Fordah, Logan Ketterer

Defenders (7): Drew Beckie, Eder Borelli, Andrew Fox, Mechack Jerome, Moses Makinde, Chiro N’toko, Bryam Rebellon

Midfielders (9): Guillermo Diaz, Fabrice Fokobo, Louis Herrera, Dylan Mares, Saeed Robinson, Nick Ross, Richie Ryan, Yuma, Distel Zola

Forwards (4): Leandro Carrijo, Aaron Gomez, Marios Lomis, Omar Salgado

Thursday morning, city officials shared that more than 90 local businesses have taken the Pledge to Safety as a way to further protect the health of their employees and customers; and help keep businesses open.

“Local businesses have shown amazing adaptability, resilience and patience during this unprecedented time, and understand that if we as a community devote ourselves to protecting each other we can help lower the spread of the disease and keep our businesses open,” said Jessica Herrera, Economic Development Director. “And as El Paso strategically reopens, we are committed to support our local businesses, their employees and our community as a whole. We are devoted to ensure that we all come out stronger and healthier than ever.”

The program, which launched on June 8, is a self-monitored program for local businesses created to implement additional safety measures to combat COVID-19.

The Pledge to Safety is signed by local businesses representing a broad range of industries including restaurants, bars, professional services, construction and manufacturing have pledged to comply with all of the safety requirements and recommendations made by health officials.

Pledge to Safety Guidelines for participating local businesses:

• Review the checklist and modify their individual practices to meet the criteria
• Submit their pledge online
• Download Pledge to Safety material to display via their social media and as a window cling.
• Participating business will be promoted via social media, newsletters and epstrong.org website.

To see the full list of companies that have taken the Pledge visit We Took the Pledge. Testimonials from businesses participating in the Pledge to Safety can be viewed in the links below:

El Paso Chihuahuas and El Paso Locomotive FC

Rockstar Burger

L&Js Café

The program is a collaborative effort between the City of El Paso, the County of El Paso, the Downtown Management District, the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Paso Del Norte Health Foundation, Destination El Paso, the Better Business Bureau, the El Paso Chamber, the El Paso Chihuahuas, and El Paso Locomotive FC.

 Local businesses interested in participating in the Pledge to Safety Program must submit their pledge online at Pledge to Safety.

Monday afternoon, El Paso Locomotive FC officials announced that their first two matches at home would be played without any fans in attendance.

“Due to the ongoing developments revolving around COVID-19 locally and statewide, El Paso Locomotive FC has made the decision to play without fans in attendance for the Saturday, July 11 Return to Play Home Opener vs Rio Grande Valley FC and the Wednesday, July 15 match against New Mexico United,” Locomotive officials shared.

This Saturday’s match will be broadcast on El Paso-Las Cruces CW and nationally on ESPN+ at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday’s match will only be on ESPN+ starting at 8:00 p.m. MT.

“Locomotive FC will continue to diligently monitor the situation and remain in constant communication with health officials as the club moves forward with future home matches and the 2020 season,” club officials added.

Fans may still support El Paso Locomotive FC from home via the Cutout Conductor program, while watching the games on El Paso-Las Cruces CW and ESPN+.

To purchase or to get more information on the Cutout Conductors, click here.

Account Executives for Season Ticket Memberships and Group and Premium Sales are contacting Season Ticket Members regarding the status of their current packages.

For information regarding single-game ticket purchases please email info@eplocomotivefc.com or text (915)-235-GOAL.

El Paso Locomotive FC unveiled its 2020 Regular Season ‘Return to Play’ schedule in conjunction with USL Championship Thursday.

The Locomotive Return to Play schedule boasts eight games at Southwest University Park, five of which are played on Saturdays. Locomotive FC kicks off its return to play with an inter-group match as the Copa Tejas rivalry reignites against Rio Grande Valley FC.

The Locos resume the 2020 Regular Season as part of Group C alongside Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, New Mexico United, and 2019 USL Championship title winners Real Monarchs. Featuring three playoff teams – two of which were Western Conference finalists – and a rejuvenated Colorado side, Group C boasts high caliber teams that will bring fierce competition for a 2020 playoff spot.

Locomotive is set to play each team in its group four times in a two-home and two-away format, rounding out the remaining three games with inter-group play against Texas rivals Rio Grande Valley FC and San Antonio FC as well as 2019 Regular Season title winners Phoenix Rising FC.

After opening the Return to Play season against RGVFC, Locomotive welcomes New Mexico United for back-to-back games at Southwest University Park on July 15 and July 24. Locomotive FC highlights each Saturday in August starting with a contest away against Phoenix Rising and home and away matches with Colorado Springs and Real Monarchs.

September proves to be the tightest month with 6 games slated. The Locos play on each Saturday while playing Switchbacks FC on two separate Wednesdays, however, September is highlighted with three straight home matches at Southwest University Park.

The 2020 season comes to a head with a 2019 Western Conference final rematch on October 4^th as Locomotive FC travels to Utah to play Real Monarchs.

Locomotive FC holds a 2-1-3 (9 points) record across all three teams in its group. Throughout its 2019 inaugural campaign, the Locos swept the Colorado series with two wins, recorded a loss and a draw against New Mexico United, while playing to scoreless draws against the Monarchs.

Current 2020 ticket holders will receive additional information via email on how to select tickets to upcoming Locomotive games. To receive the latest details on ticketing, sign up for the waiting list here.

For fans wishing to purchase a Cutout Conductor to represent them in the stands, visit the Cutout Conductor website here.

Fans of El Paso Locomotive FC have the option to help fill the stands with a standup image of themselves during home games at Southwest University Park as a Cutout Conductor, the club announced Monday.

“One of our Sales Executives, saw this idea from a team in Germany and we quickly adapted it for El Paso,” said Andrew Forrest, General Manager, Business Operations.

“This is an innovative idea that we thought could be great fun for Locomotive fans, whether they attend the game or not.  Dovetailing that with the ability to benefit COVID-19 relief funds, it was a no brainer.  We appreciate L&F Distributors working with us on this idea and helping to bring it to fruition.  I cannot wait to see all these ‘fans’ in Southwest University Park on July 11th.”

A portion of the net proceeds from Cutout Conductors sold will benefit COVID-19 relief funds in the El Paso community.

Presented by Estrella Jalisco and Stars Scholarship Fund, cutouts can be purchased starting at $35 by clicking here.

The team is finalizing details related to the number of fans that will be able to attend 2020 Locomotive home matches in-person.

The Cutout Conductors will be placed in various sections throughout Southwest University Park and will represent the team’s fans as Locomotive FC continues through its second season of the USL Championship.

Fans will be able to upload a hi-res photo from the waist up wearing their Locos gear (hats, scarves, jerseys, shirts, etc.)  and that picture will be printed on a 19″x 36″ cutout.

The cutouts will help fill the stands throughout the remainder of the 2020 USL Championship season.

At the conclusion of the season, each cutout will be signed by a Locomotive FC player before being returned to the fan to take home as a keepsake.

For more information or to become a Cutout Conductor, please visit the Cutout Conductors website here.

El Paso Locomotive FC and midfielder Alexy Bosetti have mutually agreed to part ways, the club announced Sunday.

“I want to say thank you to all the fans, the staff, my teammates and all the people around the team,” said Bosetti. “I want to thank them for the year here in El Paso. I appreciated every moment. Stay El Paso strong.”

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to work with Alexy,” commented Mark Lowry, Head Coach and Technical Director.

“He is an incredibly talented footballer. We have enjoyed every moment of him being here in El Paso. He has contributed to the group. We wish him all the luck in the world as he returns to France and continues to pursue his great career in soccer.”

Bosetti played 1,403 minutes for Locomotive across 28 games (17 starts) through the inaugural 2019 season in USL Championship.

The midfielder tallied two goals and three assists during his Locomotive tenure.

El Paso Locomotive FC returns to play in July after being placed in Group C of the USL Championship for the remainder of the 2020 Regular Season.

Locomotive will be joined by Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, New Mexico United, and 2019 Western Conference Final foe Real Monarchs.

Locomotive FC resumes play with 15 games remaining on its schedule after having opened the 2020 season in March, securing an important point on the road against Orange County SC.

The Texas club will play each member in its group four times, with the remaining three matches being played against teams from nearby groups.

2019 saw Locomotive sweep Colorado Springs in two separate 2-0 victories, earn a point against New Mexico United and pick up two scoreless draws against Real Monarchs through the Regular Season.

The season culminated in a Western Conference Final showdown between Locomotive FC and Real Monarchs that resulted in a heartbreaking loss for El Paso after 120 minutes of play.

Filled with three 2019 post-season teams – including the 2019 USL Championship Title Winners and their Western Conference Finalist rival – Group C offers some of the most competitive matches in the West. Every point will matter to secure a top-two finish to book a ticket to the 2020 USL Championship Post-Season.

For the latest information on the 2020 USL Championship Season, follow El Paso Locomotive FC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

For information on Season Ticket Memberships, Group Tickets, and Individual Match Tickets and to be first on the ticket waiting list for 2020, signup online or call or text 915-235-GOAL.

With less than a month to go before a return to the pitch, El Paso Locomotive team members and staff continue their workouts in earnest.

According to a release from the team, starting Wednesday, June 24, the USL Training Moratorium will be lifted.

Permitting approval from local and state health officials as well as USL HQ, teams will be allowed to return to full-sided contact training.

Just last week, both the USL and USL Players Association announced an agreement to return to play.

The USL Championship and the USL Players Association announced today that they have reached a formal agreement on a return to play for the 2020 season.

The two sides are now actively preparing for a July 11 restart to the 2020 Championship season and will resume negotiations on a historic first Collective Bargaining Agreement in the coming weeks.

Club officials also shared that the USL announced Tuesday, that the league will be adopting the 5 substitution rule.

Teams are still only allowed three in-game opportunities to make five substitutions, Subs made during half-time do not count towards the three in-game opportunities.

For up to date information on the team and the upcoming season, click here.

Wednesday morning, El Paso Locomotive FC unveiled a new frontier for youth soccer in the El Paso community, launching the Locomotive Youth Soccer Club ahead of the 2020-21 youth soccer season.

“The Locomotive Youth Soccer Club will provide tremendous opportunities for local youth soccer players,” Bob Bigney, Locomotive FC Director of Youth Soccer shared.

“We have the top youth coaches in the area already on-board and will be looking for more coaches to join our Club. We have already identified many high-quality players that we will invite to join our teams and other interested players may contact us about team placement. The Locomotive Youth Soccer Club will provide a huge boost to the local youth soccer landscape.”

Bigney holds his US Soccer ‘A’ License, his Premier Coaching Diploma from United Soccer Coaches, and his National Youth License from US Soccer. He has worked in youth soccer for more than 30 years, serving as the Technical Director for New Mexico Youth Soccer, the Director of Coaching for Oregon Youth Soccer and has run top-level youth soccer clubs in several locations in the US.

With a direct connection to the Locomotive FC professional team, the new Youth Soccer Club embodies the United Soccer League (USL) “Pathway-to-Pro” vision. The Locomotive Youth Soccer Club will provide young players with the opportunity to develop alongside the first team, learning the core values and winning mentality that are central to Locomotive FC culture, while discovering their full potential.

The Club will support teams in various age groups and will play in elite events locally, regionally, and nationally.

The Locomotive Youth Soccer Club will aid young players in their development to become a part of the next generation of quality soccer players in El Paso. With an initial emphasis on elite teams within the Club, Locomotive Youth Soccer intends to expand to include younger age groups and opportunities for both girls and boys who are focused on playing at a recreational level.

“With Locomotive FC striving to win the USL Championship, it is valuable to have a strong youth soccer structure connected with the pro team,” Mark Lowry, Head Coach of Locomotive FC, commented. “Having youth players learning the Locomotive structure and culture will allow us to develop and identify players to advance to the next level.”

Locomotive FC takes this next step in youth soccer development having previously competed in high level events such as the FC Juarez Copa Bravos and the USL Academy Cup.

Club officials add that, running alongside established Locomotive Programs such as Lil’ Locos, the Player Development Program (PDP) and Soccer Camps Program, the Locomotive Youth Soccer Club will open new windows of opportunity for the El Paso community.

For all the latest information on Locomotive FC Youth Soccer, please visit their webpage or contact Bob Bigney at bbigney@eplocomotivefc.com.