Tag Archives: EP Locomotive

El Paso Locomotive FC signs MLS veteran Sebastián Velásquez pending league and federation approval. Velásquez is coming to El Paso from his most recent club Suwon FC in South Korea where he spent the last season.

“Sebastian is a proven winner and a top attacking player. His experience in MLS and as one of the most creative players to ever play in the USL will be a huge influence on us in the second half of the season. He is exciting to watch; his energy and ability will get people out of their seats and without a doubt allows us to evolve and take the necessary steps in our progression as a team,” said Coach Mark Lowry on the thrilling addition to the Locomotive roster.

Born in Medellín, Colombia, Velásquez moved to the US at a young age and grew up in South Carolina.

An attacking minded midfielder, Velásquez began his professional career in the MLS where he played with Real Salt Lake from 2012-2014 and saw the pitch 38 times while netting two goals.

In 2015, he played a season with New York City FC and made 12 appearances. From 2017-2018, Velásquez spent time with USL Championship squad Real Monarchs, scoring 16 times across 47 appearances.

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 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 bowed out in the second round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup after dropping to Forward Madison FC.

“I made six or seven changes and we lost some flow. Gave guys the opportunity and saw some interesting things. You have to give guys the chance,” said coach Mark Lowry.

“We had a lot of young guys out there tonight who were able to learn a lesson. The key thing now is the 11 I pick for Saturday and to get back to the way we have been playing … I believe in those young guys that played tonight.”

El Paso fielded a young lineup featuring players who had yet to start or see the pitch in the 2019 campaign.

El Paso Locomotive FC plays their next match at home on Saturday, May 18^th against Sacramento Republic FC.

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

Gallery by Andres ‘Ace’ Acosta – Chief Photographer – El Paso Herald Post

El Paso Locomotive FC and New Mexico United kicked off the regional rivalry with a four-goal firefight. With a draw that ended in 2-2, Locomotive are on a four-game streak without a loss (two wins and two draws).

“We played brilliantly. The possession the chances we created; it was superb. Keep in perspective, the last four games we remain unbeaten. We had another great performance tonight against New Mexico who are a great team. We controlled that game and restricted them,” said head coach Mark Lowry.

El Paso put New Mexico under intense pressure in the first half and opened their scoring account first. Richie Ryan came up with an interception in the middle of the pitch and passed it off to Calvin Rezende.

Rezende fought off a defender, took a few touches towards goal and connected with Jerome Kiesewetter who fired it right between the keeper’s hands. New Mexico’s Sam Hamilton answered with one of his own 9 minutes later to close the half level at 1-1.

Kiesewetter wasn’t done yet, in the 65^th minute he scored a booming header off a perfectly placed ball from Sebastian Contreras that found him in the box.

This makes back-to-back matches where Kiesewetter has scored two goals. A late goal tied things up for the visitors, leaving the teams to split the points.

They play at home this Wednesday in their first US Open Cup Match vs Forward Madison FC in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

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

Gallery by Andres ‘Ace’ Acosta – Chief Photographer – El Paso Herald Post

Thanks to a penalty kick awarded late in the game, El Paso Locomotive secured their second win of the season over Reno 1868 FC.

In the 75th minute of the game, Forward Jerome Kiesewetter was taken down in the Reno box, setting up El Paso’s shot.

Teammate Sebastian Contreras calmly stepped up to the spot and stuck the shot into the back of the net – sending the crowd at Southwest University Park into a frenzy of blue, white and yellow flags and smoke.

“We created plenty of chances this match. I would have liked us to have been a bit more progressive and move the ball forward more. We made some adjustments tactically going into the second half and it showed. I am very pleased with how we performed and happy to have won at home,” said Head Coach Mark Lowry.

El Paso came out fast in the first half and attacked heavily on the right channel with Salgado leading the charge.

Salgado would finish the night with three shots and two key passes. The second half was no different for El Paso who came out searching for the goal to put them ahead.

Locomotive kept up the energy and tenacity to close the match on top of Reno 1-0. With the win, El Paso improved their record to 2-2-3.

El Paso Locomotive FC plays their next match at home on Sunday, May 12^th against regional rival New Mexico United. Season Ticket Memberships, Group Tickets, and Individual Match Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 915-235-GOAL!

On Thursday, officials with El Paso Locomotive FC announced that tickets for their home match in the historic Lamar Hunt US Open Cup were available for purchase.

US Open Cup is the nation’s longest ongoing soccer tournament and El Paso will enter in the second round on May 15^th.

El Paso will play the winner of the match between USL League One’s Forward Madison FC and UPSL side Bavarian Soccer Club. US Open Cup runs through August, with the last team standing raising the Dewar Challenge Trophy, receiving a prize of $300,000, and a spot in the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League.

“It’s a great privilege to be able to host an Open Cup match in our inaugural year. It is such an entertaining format playing a team we don’t usually see, the chance for overtime and even penalties; It is truly everything a fan could ask for in a single match. We don’t care who we host, we are excited to start our Open Cup run in front of our fans on May 15^th,” said General Manager, Business Operations Andrew Forrest.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 915-242-GOAL, or by visiting the Locomotive website.

El Paso Locomotive FC plays their next match at home on Saturday, April 27^th against Reno 1868 FC. Season Ticket Memberships, Group Tickets, and Individual Match Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 915-235-GOAL!

SAN ANTONIO – Supporter of San Antonio FC have formed Copa Tejas to be awarded at the end of the 2019 USL Championship regular season to the Texas team with the best head-to-head record among the four clubs, organizers announced.

 The Four teams – SAFC, Austin Bold FC, Rio Grande Valley Toros, and El Paso Locomotive FC – will be competing for Copa Tejas during home-and-away matchups, starting March 23 when RGV visits El Paso for the first-ever game in the trophy’s series.

The following Saturday, March 30, SAFC will travel to Austin for the first-ever meeting between those two clubs.

Copa Tejas’ format will be similar to the Cascadia Cup and the head-to-head competition between MLS teams Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver. Points will be earned during the regular season – three for a victory, one for a draw and no points for a loss.

The team that accumulates the most points during the regular USL season, excluding possible U.S. Open matchups and playoffs, will be awarded the trophy in October and will keep it and bragging rights for a year, If a tiebreaker is necessary, it will be determined from goal differentials and other criteria.

SAFC’s supporters groups, including Mission City Firm the Crocketteers and 210 Alliance, will be coordinating with supporters of the other three Texas teams to make the first-year trophy run a memorable one. Copa Tejas Organizers and SAFC supporters Steve Arters and Danielle Gawronski will coordinate between all the supporters groups and handle the trophy’s administration.

“The timing is perfect for Copa Tejas and it’s going to give matches between the Texas teams an added edge right away, not only on the field but in the stands between all the supporters and fans,” said Copa Tejas organizer Steve Arters.

Organizer Danielle Gawronski added she couldn’t wait to see how the team’s supporters are going to have “fun developing the rivalries. Now the so-called state champion receives a trophy to signify a great accomplishment and that team’s supporters can celebrate with bragging rights,” she said.

While Copa Tejas will encourage fierce competition on and off the pitch, it also encourages camaraderie between the various supporters groups across Texas. SAFC supporters, known for their large, loud and entertaining tailgates, will invite visiting supporters to party with them prior to home games in San Antonio and be looking to join other supporters’ tailgates when traveling with SAFC.

To learn more, please visit www.copatejas.com

On Monday, officials with El Paso Locomotive FC announced the signing of 26-year-old defender Andrew Fox, pending league and federation approval.

“Andrew is a high-level defender. He has a lot of experience in very difficult leagues and will be a great addition to our defensive unit,” said Head Coach Mark Lowry. “He is strong, has a great left foot and can play left back, left center back or on the left of a three. His arrival gives us good options tactically and strengthens our group as we push on through our pre-season and head into league play.”

Fox has seen stints with Peterborough United, Stevenage, and Grimsby Town in his home country of England. He also played the 2017 season with Swedish top tier squad, AFC Eskilstuna and made 13 appearances. He comes to El Paso Locomotive FC from his most recent club, Grimsby Town.

Fox is a dynamic player who has played in defensive and midfield roles throughout his career. He spent four years playing collegiate soccer in the United States with St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas.

In his time with the Hilltoppers, Fox made 63 appearances and tallied 36 goals as a midfielder.

The historic inaugural home opener takes place on Saturday, March 9^th against OKC Energy FC! Season Ticket Memberships, Group Tickets, and Individual Match Tickets can be purchased at online or by calling 915-235-GOAL

Officials with El Paso Locomotive FC announced Friday morning the signing of 6’ 3” goalkeeper Logan Ketterer for the 2019 season, pending league and federation approval.

“He has spent the last couple of years working closely with Zack Steffen, the number one national team keeper,” said Head Coach Mark Lowry. “He will be coming to us with a great foundation, a willingness to be brave with the ball at his feet, and a desire to win games and be a leader in the group.”

The Madison, Wisconsin native comes to El Paso from the Columbus Crew SC, who play in the MLS, where he spent two seasons and was a fourth-round pick in the MLS SuperDraft.

He made his first appearance for the Crew against Chicago Fire on June 6, 2018.

Bringing Ketterer to El Paso aligns perfectly with the high-possession game Lowry is implementing in the 2019 inaugural season. “Logan is a goalkeeper that is coming from an MLS environment that played in a similar manner to us and used the goalkeepers as a big part of their possession game,” said Lowry.

“The goalkeeper position is a critical element to how we want to play. Not just with the obvious objectives of making saves and keeping clean sheets, but more-so with how we want to build our possession and bravery to play slightly higher up the field,” said Lowry.

Tickets for the historic inaugural match on March 9 against OKC Energy FC can be secured online beginning Saturday, January 19 and at the Santa Fe and Durango Box Offices, or by calling 915-235-GOAL.

El Paso Locomotive FC Signs veteran Irish Midfielder, Richie Ryan, from FC Cincinnati, pending league and federation approval. Ryan has amassed a legendary professional career that spans 15 years and two continents.

He made his professional debut with Sunderland in the English Premier League in the 2003 season. After an 11-year career in Europe, playing in the first division in Ireland, Scotland, and Belgium, Ryan moved to the United States and joined then NASL club Ottawa Fury for the 2014 season where they reached the finals.

Ryan most recently played with USL Championship club FC Cincinnati, who will be premiering in Major League Soccer (MLS) this year as the newest expansion club.

“Having known Richie personally for a few years, coupled with his undoubted quality and winning pedigree on the field, I am honored to have the opportunity to work closely with him again,” said Head Coach Mark Lowry. “The high standards he is going to bring to our group both on and off the field will go a long way to helping us achieve the goals that we have set.”

“I want to thank the ownership and upper management at El Paso Locomotive FC for helping me bring in an individual of this caliber. Big thanks to Richie and his agent for making the process a smooth one,” said Lowry.

Ryan and the Locomotive squad will take the field on March 9, against OKC Energy FC at 7:30 p.m. for the historic home opener of the inaugural 2019 season.

Individual match tickets are available for purchase beginning Saturday, January 19 at 10:00 a.m. at the Durango and Santa Fe Box Office at Southwest University Park, or online.

El Paso Locomotive FC announced today that individual match tickets for the historic inaugural 2019 season will go on sale Saturday, January 19^th at 10:00 a.m. at Southwest University Park and online.

This will be the first time the general public will have the opportunity to purchase individual match tickets for the Locomotive’s historic first season.

“This is a monumental announcement for the Locomotive and allows fans in the Borderplex a chance to buy individual match tickets for the first time,” said Andrew Forrest General Manager, Business Operations. “With many regional rivalries to enjoy, a very high level of play on the field, and various price points to fit every budget, there is truly something for everyone.  We expect Opening Night, March 9^th, to be very popular as Coach Mark Lowry’s squad takes on OKC Energy at 7:30 p.m.  El Paso will not want to miss this match!”

Season Ticket Members will have priority online access beginning Wednesday, January 16, and fans who signed up for the individual match ticket waiting list will have the opportunity to purchase their tickets online on Friday, January 18.  The general public will be able to purchase tickets in person on January 19, starting at 10 a.m. at the Durango and Santa Fe Box Offices at Southwest University Park or online.

Season Ticket Members and fans on the individual match ticket waiting list will receive information via email detailing the process to purchase individual match tickets.

Fans interested in learning more about the benefits of Season Ticket Membership may contact an EP Locomotive Account Executive at 915-235-GOAL or visit the season ticket website.

Individual match tickets start as low as $5 per match for the GECU Green Seats. Advance purchasers can enjoy a savings over day of match prices in reserved seating areas.

The USL Championship season will run 33 weeks starting March 9 and concluding October 20. El Paso Locomotive will play three home matches in March, all on Saturdays — March 9, March 23, March 30. Locomotive FC will play 26 of their 34 games on Saturday evenings in the 2019 inaugural season.

The historic inaugural season opener on March 9 includes a spectacular post-match fireworks show. Other firework dates are June 22 and after the final home regular season match on Thursday, October 10 against Austin Bold FC. A full promotional calendar will be released in the coming weeks.

El Paso Locomotive FC 2019 Home Schedule *All times Mountain and subject to change

DATE                                     TEAM                                                               TIME

March 9                             OKC Energy FC                                                  7:30 PM

March 23                           Rio Grande Valley FC                                       7:30 PM

March 30                           Orange County SC                                            7:30 PM

April 13                               Phoenix Rising                                                  7:30 PM

April 27                               Reno 1868 FC                                                   7:30 PM

May 12                                New Mexico United                                        6:00 PM

May 18                                Sacramento Republic FC                                7:30 PM

June 8                                  LA Galaxy II                                                       7:30 PM

June 22                                Las Vegas Lights                                               7:30 PM

July 17                                  San Antonio FC                                                7:00 PM

July 20                                  Real Monarchs SLC                                         7:30 PM

August 3                               Portland Timbers 2                                         7:30 PM

August 17                             Seattle Sounders FC2                                     7:30 PM

September 4                        Tulsa Roughnecks FC                                      7:00 PM

September 21                      Co. Springs Switchbacks FC                           7:30 PM

October 2                             Fresno FC                                                          7:00 PM

October 10                           Austin Bold FC                                                  7:30 PM

2019 Home Schedule Breakdown

 By Month

March                                 3

April                                    2

May                                     2

June                                     2

July                                       2

August                                 2

September                          2

October                               2

By Day of the Week

Wednesday                        3

Thursday                             1

Saturday                            12

Sunday                                1