El Paso Locomotive FC have released their inaugural 2019 season schedule which kicks off with a historic home opener against OKC Energy FC on March 9, at Southwest University Park.
El Paso Locomotive will play three home matches in March which will all be held on Saturdays — March 9, March 23, March 30. Locomotive FC will play 26 of their 34 games on Saturday in the 2019 inaugural season.
“I am beyond excited about the release of the schedule.” said General Manager, Business Operations Andrew Forrest, “Fans have been looking forward to this for months and now everyone will have a chance to experience and be a part of history during this inaugural season for El Paso Locomotive. With players from all over the globe and the high level of play in the USL, it will make for some exciting nights at Southwest University Park. I cannot wait for the fans in El Paso to experience this level of professional soccer for themselves!”
The 34-game schedule will see Locomotive FC playing a home-and-away match with each team within the Western Conference of the USL Championship, with regional and state rivalries already forming.
A heated matchup between El Paso Locomotive FC and New Mexico United (Albuquerque) has been scheduled for Sunday, May 12, at Southwest University Park, with the away matchup set for Wednesday, July 31 in Albuquerque.
Texas has four USL Championship teams; El Paso Locomotive FC, Rio Grande Valley FC, Austin Bold FC, and San Antonio FC. All teams will play each other in a home-and-away series for the bragging rights of the best team in the state of Texas at stake.
El Paso Locomotive FC will also be playing matches against three MLS II squads this season, starting with an away match against Portland Timbers 2 on May 25.
El Pasoans will see the first home match against an MLS II squad on June 8, against LA Galaxy II.
The USL Championship season will run 33 weeks starting March 9 and will conclude on October 20.
Staff Report October 4, 2018SportsComments Off on All Aboard! El Paso Locomotive FC Official Name of City’s New Professional Soccer Team
On Thursday afternoon, at a high-energy presentation at the EPIC Railyard Event Center, officials from MountainStar Sports Group announced that El Paso Locomotive FC is the name of the newest USL team in the country.
“Thanks to input from thousands of people throughout El Paso and the Borderplex who participated in our Name The Team Contest, we believe El Paso Locomotive FC and its crest accurately represent this region,” said Alan Ledford, President of MountainStar Sports Group.
“The overriding objectives of MountainStar Sports Group are to improve the quality of life in this region and to make it more economically competitive, and the addition of USL professional soccer beginning in 2019 is a significant step forward in that effort. We’re proud to represent the 915.”
The search for the team name began with a community-wide effort inviting the region’s fans to submit names through the El Paso USL website. The list was narrowed based on creativity, marketability, fun, and relevance to El Paso’s unique character.
Locomotive was the name chosen to reflect El Paso’s history, unique spirit, and momentum. The new name provides the foundation for a comprehensive brand of fun, family-oriented entertainment associated with professional soccer.
“We want to thank El Pasoans for the energy and passion they brought to the Name The Team process. The tremendous community input and support we received is greatly appreciated,” said Andrew Forrest, General Manager of El Paso Locomotive. “El Paso Locomotive looks forward to bringing the high-quality soccer our fans have been waiting for to Southwest University Park in just a few months.”
El Paso Locomotive FC’s team crest was also revealed. The centerpiece is a classic and commanding locomotive engine which includes 11 bars representing the team’s 11 players on the field who play together to defend and lead the team to victory.
The outline along the bottom portion of the crest pays homage to the region’s mission style architecture while the top half represents the Franklin Mountains.
The crest also includes a tribute to El Paso’s mountain star. The team colors are High Noon Sun (yellow), West Texas Sky (light blue) and Desert Dusk (navy).
The identity of El Paso Locomotive FC was brought to life by Brandiose, a design firm in San Diego. The firm has helped to successfully launch the identities of dozens of professional sports teams over the years, including the Tulsa Roughnecks FC, Reno 1868 FC, South Georgia Tormenta FC, FC Juarez, and the El Paso Chihuahuas.
“El Paso is one of the most passionate communities in America. It’s the center of North American transportation and has taken a leadership position in the future of sports entertainment,” said Jason Klein, Partner at Brandiose. “We worked hard to infuse the crest with the icons and spirit that is the cornerstone of the El Paso community.”
El Paso Locomotive FC will unveil their jersey for the 2019 season at a later date.
The team name reveal event also featured the unveiling of El Paso Locomotive FC merchandise and apparel. Shirts for men, women, and children, as well as an assortment of adjustable hats, were popular items available for purchase. Locomotive fans and supporters were quick to buy sweatshirts, tank tops, koozies, lanyards, water bottles, and keychains.
Immediately after the event revealing the new team name, El Paso Locomotive FC merchandise became available for purchase at the Team Store located adjacent to the Santa Fe Street Gate at Southwest University Park.
The store will be open until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 4th. On Friday, October 5th, the team store will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Starting October 6th, the team store will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
El Paso Locomotive’s first game will be played in March of 2019 at Southwest University Park.
Season ticket membership, and group and hospitality information can be found online or by calling 915-235-GOAL. Tickets for all these products are now on sale.
Video+Photo gallery by Andres ‘Ace’ Acosta Chief Photographer, El Paso Herald-Post
El Paso USL head coach Mark Lowery message to the City of El Paso fans #GetOnThisTrain #jumpOnBoard El Paso Herald-Post #losphotogs #photosbyace #usl #elpasolocomotive #soccer #futbol USL ⚽️ 🚂
El Paso USL has signed defender, Daniel Navarro of Hyannis, Massachusetts, who saw his most recent action playing with Miami United (NPSL).
Prior to his time with Miami United, Daniel played for SC Sao Paulo in Campeonato Brasilerio Serie D and Campeonato Gaucho in Brazil. Daniel also brings with him NASL experience where he played with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
Daniel Navarro joins Omar Salgado and Derek Gebhard, pending league and federation approval, bringing the roster to three signed players thus far for the 2019 season.
This defensive addition to the team, as stated by El Paso USL Coach Mark Lowry, “will be a crucial part of the group we are putting together here in El Paso. He played at a good level in Brazil and spent time in the NASL, so he is familiar with playing in the US. As a center back, he is a fierce competitor who is strong in the air and good in 1v1 situations, but even more importantly for us, he is comfortable with the ball at his feet and playing out of the back. He will add a healthy competition for places within our squad.”
The 27-year-old defender was born in the United States of America and returned to his family’s home country of Brazil at age two, where he spent much of his life and professional career.
“I am so glad to have signed with El Paso USL,” said Daniel. “I already have experience playing in the USA, but this will be my first time in the USL and seeing a new club come together is exciting for me as a player. I believe the El Paso community has a lot of expectations for us. Combining our work and their support will be important for us to have a great first season.”
El Paso Herald-Post El Paso News & Opinion
