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IRVINE, CA – On a road trip with playoff implications, El Paso Locomotive FC fell to number four Orange County 2-0 Saturday night.

Even with the setback, Locomotive remain one point outside a playoff bid in their inaugural season and will play at home in one week to continue their #Push4Playoff campaign.

This closes out the regular-season meetings between the two clubs, where El Paso won the first contest at Southwest University Park in late March.

Newcomer, Alexy Bosetti made his first appearance for Locomotive since joining the team a few weeks ago.

El Paso Locomotive FC plays their next match at home on Saturday, September 21^st against Colorado Springs Switchbacks.

Season Ticket Memberships, Group Tickets, and Individual Match Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 915-235-GOAL

On Friday, officials with El Paso Locomotive FC announced details surrounding the auction of Noche de Locos jerseys.

The auction will begin at 10 a.m. on the morning of Saturday, September 21^st and close at 5 p.m. on Monday, September 23^rd.

The highly sought after jersey flew off the shelves and sold out within 24 hours of being released.

This auction will give fans another chance to get their hands on a jersey, with proceeds benefiting the Locomotive Foundation and a portion of the proceeds going toward medical student scholarships in support of the Texas Tech University Health Science Center Foster School of Medicine 10-year anniversary celebration.

“This unique ability for our incredibly passionate fans to get their hands on a one of a kind, once in a lifetime player worn jersey allows for an unparalleled fan experience within the Locomotive community.  Coupled with the selfless giving this community is known for, in that, their bid is going to help local philanthropic initiatives through the El Paso Locomotive Foundation and the Texas Tech University Health Science Center Foster School of Medicine 10-year anniversary celebration. This is a special way for fans to connect to their favorite players,” said Andrew Forrest General Manager, Business Operations.

The jerseys that fans will bid on will be the actual team kits worn on September 21^st when Locomotive takes on Colorado Springs Switchbacks at home, allowing fans the opportunity to own their favorite Locomotive player’s game shirt adorned with their name and number.

The auction will be done solely online, and participants can bid directly from their phone by texting “BID” to 844-311-5007.

El Paso Locomotive FC plays their next match at home on Saturday, September 21^st against Colorado Springs Switchbacks.

Season Ticket Memberships, Group Tickets, and Individual Match Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 915-235-GOAL!

El Paso Locomotive FC’s race to the playoffs is still alive in the club’s first season. Only four points separate the field from 11^th to fourth place in the Western Conference, with fourth place hosting that elusive final home playoff game.

“The playoffs are why sports teams compete. Our team is finally healthy and poised to make a run deep into the playoffs. Working hard to get the maximum amount of points these last eight games is paramount to our playoff push,” commented Andrew Forrest General Manager, Business Operations.

Eight regular-season matches are left to play for the Locos, leaving 24 possible points on the table, making the contest in the West one to keep your eyes on. Locomotive also has two games in hand on a large portion of clubs in the West.

The regular season for the Locos concludes on Saturday, October 19 in Los Angeles, as El Paso faces LA Galaxy II, but the team has four home matches remaining which will play a massive role in which place Locomotive will finish.

The lowest four seeds in each conference will enter into a play-in round on October 23. The winners from that round will then enter into a single-elimination bracket, with the highest seed hosting each playoff match, opening the possibilities to a playoff match being held in El Paso.

The USL Cup will be held anywhere from November 14-18^th.

El Paso’s four remaining home matches will be played on Saturday, September 21^st, Wednesday, October 2^nd, Thursday, October 10^th, and Tuesday, October 15^th.

El Paso Locomotive FC plays their next match at home on Saturday, September 21^st against Colorado Springs Switchbacks. Season Ticket Memberships, Group Tickets, and Individual Match Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 915-235-GOAL!

El Paso Locomotive FC overcame a two-goal deficit to draw against Tulsa Roughnecks 2-2 in dramatic fashion.

Tulsa took the lead in the first half and then came out in the second and put another away to extend their lead.

El Paso showed their grit and tenacity and in the 79^th minute, Aaron Gomez scored his first goal of the season off a booming header that left the keeper helpless.

James Kiffe came up with the assist after sending a pinpoint cross into the box that Gomez finished with class. Seventy-one seconds later Locomotive answered with the equalizer that sent the stadium into mania.

El Paso’s Omar Salgado was untouchable down the left line, juking a defender and finding Jerome Kiesewetter inside the box.

The German-American striker put his left foot through the ball from Salgado and notched his 11^th goal of the season.

El Paso Locomotive FC plays their next match at home on Saturday, September 21^st against Colorado Springs Switchbacks.

Season Ticket Memberships, Group Tickets, and Individual Match Tickets can be purchased at online or by calling 915-235-GOAL

Wednesday morning, officials with El Paso Locomotive FC announced plans for the August 17^th match that will honor the first responders and remember the victims of the tragedy that occurred on August 3^rd.

The theme of the night will be “El Paso Strong,” which the Borderland has united behind. Below are details surrounding the related events:

• El Paso Strong flags will be distributed to the first 1,500 fans through the door
• Locomotive players will wear specially designed El Paso Strong patches on their jerseys beginning on the 17^th and through the remainder of the 2019 season
• American, German, and Mexican flags to be flown, honoring the victims
• El Paso Strong t-shirts to be worn by the team during warmups
• EP Fusion youth soccer team will be in attendance and participate in gameday activities. These young players and their coaches were directly impacted by the event on August 3^rd
• Proceeds from the game’s 50/50 raffle to be donated to Paso Del Notre Community Foundation’s El Paso Victims Fund
• 22 second moment of silence honoring the victims
• Color Guard comprised of first responders
• USL President Jake Edwards will be in attendance to pay his respects to the Borderland region

In addition to the $150,000 donation to the two Victims’ Relief Funds from the MountainStar Sports Group Foundation, a portion of each ticket sold through this fundraising promotion will benefit the El Paso Victims Relief Fund

El Paso Locomotive FC plays their next match at home on Saturday, August 17^th against Tacoma Defiance at 7:30 and gates open at 6:30. Season Ticket Memberships, Group Tickets, and Individual Match Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 915-235-GOAL

El Paso Locomotive FC rallies for come from behind draw against Energy FC to pick up a point in their road campaign.

Homegrown hero, Louis “Chapa” Herrera has made himself a regular starter in the Locomotive lineup and continues to provide that spark on the pitch; Chapa’s Saturday night offensive proficiency led to the own goal by OKC.

Logan Ketterer came up big yet again for El Paso and saved his fourth penalty of the season which set up the El Paso counter attack.

Defender Andrew Fox received the ball near the midline and sent a booming through ball over the top of the Energy FC backline, finding Chapa who redirected the ball with his head and finished it off with a half-volley that caught an OKC defender, sending it into the net.

The contest would end in a 1-1 draw, closing El Paso’s third straight road match journey.

Locomotive sit in fourth place in the Western Conference.

El Paso Locomotive FC plays their next match at home on Wednesday, July 17^th against San Antonio FC. Season Ticket Memberships, Group Tickets, and Individual Match Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 915-235-GOAL.

Saturday night, El Paso Locomotive FC lost their first road match in the club’s history.

An injury riddled roster and road fatigue played heavily into the Locomotive performance Saturday evening, coming off Wednesday’s battle in San Antonio and the 0-0 tie.

The Borderland’s own Memo Diaz saw his first professional appearance in tonight’s match resulting in all four local players (Omar Salgado, Louis ‘Chapa Herrera, Aaron Gomez, and Diaz) sharing the pitch for the first time this season.

Daniel Navarro also returned from his short-term loan to Chattanooga.

El Paso wraps up their third consecutive road match next Saturday when they travel to Oklahoma City.

El Paso Locomotive FC plays their next match at home on Saturday, July 17th against San Antonio FC. Season Ticket Memberships, Group Tickets, and Individual Match Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 915-235-GOAL.

Thanks to great in-goal play, El Paso Locomotive FC remain unbeaten on the road with a nil-nil draw in San Antonio.

Goalkeeper Logan Ketterer came up with a massive save in the opening minutes of the match to keep things scoreless. San Antonio FC was awarded a penalty in the 17^th minute and sent a booming shot into the right corner of the goal.

Ketterer showed his professionalism under pressure and got explosive, getting both hands on the shot to deny San Antonio the lead.

Drew Beckie had to exit the match in the 43^rd minute seeing midfielder Omar Salgado drop to left back. Locomotive came out with a gutsy draw and a road point in front of 75 plus traveling supporters from El Paso.

El Paso sit in third place in the Western Conference with 27 points and have conceded the least amount of goals (13) in the West this season.

Ketterer is in second place across the league for most clean sheets (eight).

This is the first of their three straight road games over the next 10 days, as El Paso’s next stop has them in Fresno to face the Foxes this Saturday.

El Paso Locomotive FC play their next home match on Saturday, July 17th against San Antonio FC. Season Ticket Memberships, Group Tickets, and Individual Match Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 915-235-GOAL.

El Paso Locomotive FC announced the signing of a top-recruit ahead of Saturday’s match against the Las Vegas Lights.

In partnership with The Hospitals of Providence (THOP), 11-year-old Amber Berry signed with the team at 11 a.m. on Friday at Southwest University Park as the Locomotive Player for a Day. Berry has been battling leukemia since November 16, 2016.

“We are so excited to sign Amber Berry to a one-day contract with the team,” Andrew Forrest, El Paso Locomotive FC General Manager, Business Operations, said. “She has shown incredible resiliency and courage in her battle with leukemia and has been under the highest standard of care from the great team at The Hospitals of Providence. Because of their hard work and Amber’s fighting spirit, we know Amber will be able to enjoy being a kid again when she completes her treatments.”

The festivities began when Berry arrived at Southwest University Park at 10:30 a.m. to be greeted by both Locomotive and Chihuahuas staff. She then made her way to the field to watch the Locomotive finish training.

She signed at 11 a.m. accompanied by her family, Forrest, THOP Market CEO Monica Vargas Mahar and Locomotive coaching staff and players.

During her three-year cancer journey at Providence Children’s Hospital, Amber has undergone more than 54 treatments in an effort to get her well.  Her final treatment is expected to be in July.

“It’s important to always stay positive, think of happy thoughts and in the end, you’ll see how much you’ve accomplished,” said Amber Berry.  “My team has been my mom, my family and all the nurses and doctors who have helped get me better.  I can’t wait to take on this next challenge as a Locomotive for a day.”

With aspirations to be an artist, Amber will unveil a one-of-a-kind masterpiece made especially for the Locomotive gameday poster.

On Saturday, the Locomotive Player for the Day has an evening filled with soccer fun, team warm-up, autograph signing, game broadcast announcing and spending time with players. Her family will join in the festivities and cheer Amber on as player number 4.

“Amber is one of our warrior patients, she is truly an incredible child who at a very young age has already had to take on cancer and said it’s not going to beat me,” said Nicholas Tejeda, Group Chief Executive Officer for The Hospitals of Providence. “When you meet her you can’t help but feel inspired by her.  She not only brightens the days of many of our pediatric patients, but she brings smiles to all our nurses and staff.  These kids are our future, Amber is our future and it’s about getting them back on the field to do great things.”

For more information about El Paso Locomotive FC, click here.

I’m an odd duck; my favorite sports are football – well, soccer in this case – and cricket. Ever since I was a kid, I was stuck on Pele and (find a cricket player from the early 80s). In junior high, during PE and major sports, my favorite thing was soccer.

So, when I was tasked to shot my first Locomotive game, I was excited. I also must admit, I watched more of the game than I should have. Should have been shooting more photos.

Before the game started, I heard these drums and saw these people marching between the field and the Scottish Rite Temple. They were waving flags, cheering, and having a blast. At first, I thought it was a promotional thing the Locomotive was doing, something to get the fans riled up and excited for the game.

It turns out; it was more than that.

This group of people marched right into Southwest University Stadium and even had their place set aside for them. I had to know just who these people were, what they were doing, and why they reminded me of soccer fans at every MLS game I’ve ever attended or shot.

Who are they? They call themselves the 8th Notch.

Before yesterdays game against LA Galaxy, I met with Louis Cepeda, the president of the 8th Notch, the official fan club of the El Paso Locomotive FC.

I had to ask him not just who they are, beyond their name, and why they are.

“We’re just a group of soccer fans that got together and wanted to support the team. We do whatever we can to push them on and let them know where we’re behind him,” says Luis Cepeda.

The 8th Notch began as two separate groups, before merging into one super group.

“When the team was announced way back last March, there were two groups that popped up,” says Luis. “One was Six Shooters; the other was Bridgetown Brigade. Bridgetown Brigade, they’ve known each other for a long time. Six shooters were the group that I was involved with, right. We were just trying to do our own thing. As time went on, we discuss things and we just kind of just figured it was better for us to all come together and have one voice.”

But the name, how did they get the name. It seems a non sequitur. Even after Googling the name, I still had no idea.

“Well,” began Louis “it’s the highest setting in a locomotive. So, it means full throttle, the highest acceleration in a locomotive. Pretty much full throttle on a locomotive.”

All they did was switch it from Notch 8 to 8th Notch.  

I was invited to watch the game with them, march with them, experience the game with them. Let me tell you; it took the Locomotives game to a whole new level!

Marching from Whiskey Blonde to the stadium was electric. Each member of the 8th Notch was alive with excitement. As we drew closer to the Santa Fe gate, they grew more intense.

The crowds that were queued up to get into the stadium were feeding off their energy. Everyone grew more excited as the 8th Notch continued their chant. It was intense. It was also a precursor to what sitting with them and watching the game was going to be like.

As the members of the 8th notch found their seats, they were ready for the game to begin. They were excited and wanted to share that excitement with everyone there.

Their cheers, their power was not only palpable, but contagious.

It took me back to the Penn-Jersey Spirit game in Ewing, New Jersey, one of the first games I ever shot from both the field and the stadium.

Even before the game began, 8th Notch was powered up! The drums, the chants, the non-stop cheering and beer showers when the team scored.

It was amazing, and I wish I had a 1/10th of the energy these guys had. If you’ve never experienced a game with a group of fans that are running full throttle, then you need to get on out there and join them!

They meet at Whiskey Blond, located at Speaker 1: (508 West San Antonio Avenue) open Wednesday through Sunday 2:00 PM to 2:00 AM.

Jacob Perez is one of the owners, and he and his team are great, I felt at home, and I don’t visit bars at all. This one, I’ll hit up again.

Throughout the game the 8th Notch cheered the Locomotives on and worked their best to take away any game spirit the LA Galaxy may have had. It was great!

In the end, the Locomotive took the game 3 to 0 (With for me was bittersweet. I’m an El Paso boy by I was rooting for the Galaxy).

Saturday night, El Paso Locomotive FC steamrolled LA Galaxy II, extending unbeaten streak to eight and moving into a four-way tie for second place in the West.

Jerome Kiesewetter grabbed his fourth brace of the season and his ninth goal, leading El Paso to a dominating 3-0 victory.

Hometown hero Omar Salgado grabbed his second goal of the season and his first in front of the home crowd to seal the three points at home.

“I want the guys to enjoy the victory. You always have to enjoy winning. We work so hard, when you win, you ought to be able to enjoy it but also not get carried away. We have standards set that we try to achieve every game. Eight games unbeaten is great, but we want more. That’s the culture we have created here. There is a group of guys there that want to be the best, that want to put something beautiful on the field every time they step out there,” said Coach Mark Lowry.

Kiesewetter opened things up at Southwest University Park with a one-touch shot that beat the keeper near post.

The former USMNT striker scored his eighth and ninth goal in the last six matches and got the home crowd electric, both goals coming with the assist from James Kiffe.

Kiesewetter is one goal shy of the top scorer in the league, whilst playing four games fewer than the leader. Kiesewetter continues to impress in Locomotive colors.

Salgado got his second goal of the season in the waning minutes of the match after receiving the ball in open space near the top of LA’s box.

With a single touch towards goal, he sent a booming ground shot into the back of the net, simultaneously causing the crowd to celebrate in unison and fervor.

El Paso Locomotive FC plays their next match at home on Saturday, June 22^nd against Las Vegas Lights. Season Ticket Memberships, Group Tickets, and Individual Match Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 915-235-GOAL!

El Paso Locomotive FC defeat Tacoma Defiance 2-1, increasing their unbeaten streak to seven straight league matches.

With this win, El Paso have also launched into sixth place in the Western Division, four points behind leader New Mexico United with a game in hand.

Forward Jerome Kiesewetter notched his seventh goal of the season to give El Paso the lead in the first half.

Kiesewetter has appeared in eight matches for El Paso since he signed in early April and has shown his goal scoring pedigree. He is currently tied for fifth in goals scored across the entire USL Championship.

Tacoma would convert a late goal to bring things level heading into halftime.

El Paso’s second goal of the night came off a substitution. Within seven minutes of stepping onto the pitch, Midfielder Calvin Rezende grabbed his second goal of the season in the 68^th minute after he relieved Yuma.

Midfielder Omar Salgado sent a bouncing cross in front of the Tacoma goal and Rezende was on the other end of it, sending it thundering into the back of the net.

El Paso Locomotive FC plays their next match at home on Saturday, June 8^th against LA Galaxy II. Season Ticket Memberships, Group Tickets, and Individual Match Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 915-235-GOAL!

El Paso Locomotive FC tied the number four team in the Western Conference after being down one goal, and hometown footballer Omar Salgado provided the boot.

It was a physical contest that saw seven yellow cards and one penalty. With this draw, El Paso continue their unbeaten streak and extend it to six matches.

“I am so happy for Omar, he deserved it. His work-rate for the team is superb and I know this will build up his confidence and keep things going,” said Coach Mark Lowry. “I’m very proud of how the guys all played tonight. It was a fantastic performance and to have not lost in four road matches is brilliant.”

El Paso’s own Louis “Chapa” Herrera got his first start of the season alongside newcomer Drew Beckie, who recently signed from OKC Energy FC.

In the 41’ a game-changing penalty was awarded to Timbers 2 which saw Dairon Asprilla step up. Goalkeeper Logan Ketterer came up with a massive save to deny to the penalty, but Timbers 2 were able to scoop up the rebound and score.

Four minutes later Omar Salgado, who was the first player signed to Locomotive, netted his first goal of the season.

After receiving a pass at the top of the box, the left-footed attacker cut to the right to create space off the defender and let a shot rip with his right foot into the bottom corner of the net.

El Paso Locomotive FC plays their next match at home on Saturday, June 8^th against LA Galaxy II. Season Ticket Memberships, Group Tickets, and Individual Match Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 915-235-GOAL.

Tuesday morning, officials with El Paso Locomotive FC announced the addition of defender Drew Beckie to their 2019 roster, pending league and federation approval.

“I honestly couldn’t be happier to be adding a player and person of the caliber of Drew Beckie to our squad. Character-wise he is the perfect addition, and he is another tough experienced competitor who knows what it takes to win. He will be a wonderful addition to our defensive unit and gives us fantastic depth,” said Coach Mark Lowry.

Beckie has been with Oklahoma City Energy since June 2018 and has made over 20 appearances for the club. He was drafted by MLS’s Columbus Crew in 2013 and prior to joining Energy FC, spent a season with Lowry at Jacksonville Armada.

He  played his collegiate career at the University of Denver where he made 69 appearances and notched 7 goals. Beckie spent 2014 and 2015 with Ottawa Fury (USL Championship) and made 34 appearances.

Beckie has represented the Canadian National Team four times at the U23 level and has been called up to the senior team.

El Paso Locomotive FC plays their next match at home on Saturday, June 8^th against LA Galaxy II. Season Ticket Memberships, Group Tickets, and Individual Match Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 915-235-GOAL.