Tag Archives: locomotive

Wednesday morning, the El Paso Chihuahuas and El Paso Locomotive FC announced a plan to assist area non-profit organizations (NPOs).

This program will provide Chihuahuas and Locomotive staff with expertise in marketing, promotion, development, operations, and general administration to serve the non-profit community which has been so negatively affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“One of our greatest strengths and most significant assets are the people who comprise the staffs of the Chihuahuas and Locomotive,” said MountainStar Sports Group President Alan Ledford.

“We are in the live event business and during this window when those events are severely limited, we cannot provide the level of service and memorable experiences we strive to deliver at Southwest University Park. This is also a period filled with extraordinary challenges for our local non-profit organizations. While their traditional functions are impacted by the pandemic, we are proud to offer our staff to help these NPOs continue to fulfill their respective missions.”

The staffs of both teams will be working as part of the Chihuahuas Volunteer Pack and Locomotive Heart of Goal programs, both of which are presented by Helen of Troy.

“The Pack” and Heart of Goal are El Paso-wide volunteer forces created to give back to the Sun City and surrounding region.

Joining with non-profit organizations and community partners, the two volunteer groups are made up of Chihuahuas and Locomotive staff, fans, players, and coaches with the mission of making a positive impact in our community. From building homes to sorting food, both teams have put in more than 750 community service hours annually.

“We said from the beginning that this would be about more than baseball,” said MountainStar Sports Group Sr. Vice President and Chihuahuas General Manager Brad Taylor. “With a little more bandwidth than usual for the baseball staff, we have the chance to truly be effective and even more helpful in our community.”

While Minor League Baseball announced last week that the 2020 season will not be played, the United Soccer League (USL) Championship will return to play on July 11.

The competition format and revised schedule for the USL was recently announced.

For non-profit organizations interested in having a Chihuahuas or Locomotive staff member assist their non-profit organization, click here for information. Organizations must be registered as a 501(c)(3).

For more information, contact Angela Olivas at aolivas@epchihuahuas.com, visit epchihuahuas.com, text (915) 533-BASE, or email info@epchihuahuas.com.

The El Paso Chihuahuas, El Paso Locomotive FC and Southwest University Park announced today that Professional Sports Catering, LLC (PSC) will serve as the new food and beverage provider for Southwest University Park.

“The culinary experience has long been a critically important part of any ballpark visit and the source of many great memories for fans of all ages,” said MountainStar Sports Group President Alan Ledford.

“Our organization recognizes our responsibility in this area and is proud establish this new partnership with PSC to continue to provide guests with the highest quality food and beverage products and extraordinary service.”

PSC will manage gameday food and beverage including concessions, premium areas, the WestStar Club and suites. They will also manage food and beverage service for all non-gameday events at Southwest University Park.

“As we enter our seventh season for baseball at Southwest University Park and the second for soccer, we are pleased to welcome Professional Sports Catering to El Paso,” said Sr. Vice President and Chihuahuas General Manager Brad Taylor. “The social and hospitable nature of our city calls for fun food and beverages to keep the guest experience the best it can be. PSC’s focus on analytics and research will create more options and increased service for our guests.”

“PSC was formed over 10 years ago to deliver a major-league food and beverage experience at the minor-league level,” said Chief Executive Officer and founder of PSC, Tom Dickson. “We are tremendously excited today to announce our partnership with the Chihuahuas and the Locomotive to provide their guests a first-class hospitality experience.  We know the bar has been set very high at Southwest University Park, and PSC is committed to reaching and exceeding all guest expectations at the ballpark this summer and for years to come.”

Founded in 2006 by Tom Dickson, owner of the Lansing Lugnuts (Toronto Blue Jays Class A affiliate), PSC focuses exclusively on Minor League Baseball, and as a result, understands MiLB values: providing the best service with the highest quality food and beverage products.

In 2014, PSC partnered with world renowned restaurateur, Levy Restaurants, to combine the creativity of Minor League Baseball with world class innovation and premium services, establishing themselves as one of the best food and beverage concessionaires in the country.

Ledford added, “PSC is an industry leader with creative and progressive leadership that will help both the Chihuahuas and Locomotive continue to meet and exceed our fans’ expectations.”

Currently, PSC services 27 MiLB ballparks, four Spring Training facilities and two Independent League baseball organizations. Of the 27 MiLB teams it currently partners with, 10 are Triple-A teams, including Pacific Coast League members Fresno Grizzlies, Las Vegas Aviators, Oklahoma City Dodgers, Reno Aces and Salt Lake Bees.

Kickoff for El Paso Locomotive FC is March 14 versus Portland Timbers 2 at Southwest University Park. Individual game tickets, Season Seat Memberships Group Tickets and Premium Areas are currently on sale online, (915) 235-GOAL and at the Southwest University Park Box Office.

The Chihuahuas Opening Day is slated for Tuesday, April 14, 2020 versus the Las Vegas Aviators (Oakland A’s affiliate) at Southwest University Park. Individual tickets are on sale online, at the Southwest University Park box offices or by calling (915) 533-BASE.

El Paso Locomotive FC continues fortifying and building on the success of the inaugural season by bringing back two additional members of the pilot squad that made it to the 2019 Western Conference Final.

Memo Diaz and Moses Makinde have re-signed for the 2020 season.

Local Gadsen product and fan favorite, Diaz featured for the Locos five times in the inaugural campaign and started in the away match versus a Reno 1868 FC side who were sitting in the top three of the Western Conference.

Diaz was instrumental in keeping things scoreless and helped the Locos come away with a hard-fought draw on the road.

“Memo worked extremely hard last season to be an important part of the group. His effort and desire to improve made it an easy decision for me to bring him back. He is a popular member of the squad and deserves a second year. I’m excited to see him grow again,” said Head Coach Mark Lowry.

Makinde joined El Paso Locomotive in early July by way of trade with Tulsa Roughnecks (FC Tulsa) and was called on countless times to step into the Locomotive backline who dealt with injury throughout the season.

Makinde was relied on when El Paso’s James Kiffe received a red card 51 minutes into the Western Conference Final and had to play 70 minutes down to the wire.

“Moses is a player who is very interesting. He possesses so many good attributes, but I don’t think he has ever been in an environment that can push him, take him past his comfort zone and really challenge him to see how good he can really be. We are going to do that and I’m excited to see how that journey develops,” said Lowry.

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

El Paso Locomotive FC took to the road and picked up one point against the number three team in the West, Reno 1868 FC.

For the first time this season, all four local players were on the pitch at the same time; Omar Salgado, Louis “Chapa” Herrera, Guillermo Diaz, and Josue Aaron Gomez who all made their impact felt in this dominating performance.

El Paso has defeated two top-four teams in the past week and have picked up a total of seven points across their last three matches, furthering their commitment to the postseason.

Locomotive barreled down the tracks and dominated the home team, recording 23 shots, 15 of those coming in the first half. El Paso showed grit and tenacity and proved that they are a top contender in the Western Conference.

Locomotive sit two points outside of fourth place and have at least a game in hand over the majority of the field.

The Locos have three matches remaining, with a possibility of grabbing nine points and exploding into the top four, opening the possibility of hosting a home playoff match in their inaugural season.

El Paso Locomotive FC plays their next match at home on Thursday, October 10^th against Austin. Season Ticket Memberships, Group Tickets, and Individual Match Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 915-235-GOAL

El Paso Locomotive FC defeats Sacramento Republic 3-1 to launch six places into seventh place in the Western Conference.

“Jerome got another two tonight. That’s six in three matches for him. There aren’t really forwards at any level that can go on that type of run. Credit to Jerome coming here with the right mentality. If you have a happy number nine, that is a start,” said Coach Mark Lowry after tonight’s victory.

Calvin Rezende notched his first professional goal of his career and Jerome Kiesewetter grabbed his third brace in three consecutive games.

Calvin Rezende opened up his professional scoring account after a beautiful play that started in the Locomotive back third. Mechack Jérôme sent a thundering pass to Omar Salgado who took it towards the Sacramento goal.

Out of options, Salgado found Rezende at the top of the box and he let it rip into the bottom right of the Sacramento goal. Sacramento would end up scoring to bring things level at halftime.

El Paso came out in the second half with grit and tenacity, giving the Sacramento defense issues. The second goal of the night came off a Locomotive corner that, after some work, was put into the back by Kiesewetter. If history tells anything, he wouldn’t be finished there. In every match he has scored in, Kiesewetter has always scored two goals.

Tonight, was no different. Another booming pass from Jérôme found its way up into the attack and Edson Partida was there to receive it. After a few touches, Partida curled a ball into the box to find Kiesewetter, who went into the air to finish it with the outside of his right boot.

El Paso Locomotive FC plays their next match at home on June 8th 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 defeated Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 2-0 in a dominating performance Saturday night.

It was a night of firsts for El Paso which included their first road win (the team remains unbeaten on the road), Jerome Kiesewetter’s first two goals for the club and the unveiling of their West Texas Sky Blue kits in a match.

Locomotive now sits in eighth place in the Western Conference and have played one less match than the leaders and are the only team in the west sitting on back-to-back wins.

The first minute in the second half saw the German-born American, Jerome Kiesewetter open up his scoring account for Locomotive. The striker went down the right lane, switched direction and beat the keeper near post. Kieswetter wasn’t finished there and grabbed the brace nine minutes later after a precision pass from Omar Salgado split the defense and put the ball at Kiesewetter’s feet in front of the goal.

Kiesewetter placed it perfectly into the back of the net and would end the night tied for the lead scorer position on the Locomotive roster with Derek Gebhard, and Edson Partida.

The three attackers all sit at two goals on the season.

Goalkeeper Logan Ketterer notched his fifth clean sheet tonight, putting him in first place across the entire league for shutouts. “Logan is a great young goalkeeper and every game he gets more and more mature. He has five clean sheets across eight games which is fantastic,” said Head Coach Mark Lowry.

This match was also the second time a single Locomotive player netted two goals in a match; the first being Partida’s performance against Orange County SC earlier this season.

“We have a lot of talent moving forward in the attack. For Jerome to get two goals tonight was amazing. We can’t wait to get home next week and play against New Mexico United,” said Lowry after tonight’s stellar performance.

El Paso Locomotive FC plays their next match at home on Sunday, May 12^th against rivals New Mexico United. 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 Youth Soccer announced their summer soccer camp program, with the first camp kicking off on June 3^rd.

“We are happy to offer the Locomotive FC Summer Soccer Camps for 2019,” said Bob Bigney, Director of Locomotive FC Youth Soccer Programs. “These camps will provide enjoyable soccer activities for youth soccer players all over El Paso. The children attending these summer camps will receive quality coaching from the technical staff of Locomotive FC – and will get to interact with professional soccer players from the Locomotive FC squad.”

“At each camp, children will be grouped by age and ability to provide the best experience for each camper,” continued Bigney.  “Campers will have a lot of fun and improve their soccer skills.”

Club officials share that different options exist to fit the needs of children and parents alike.

There are evening camps held around the city and at the Locomotive Training Facility, morning camps on both sides of town and three-day camps that culminate with campers attending a Locomotive FC match.

Each camp location will limit the number of campers accepted and registration will close when the camp is full. Locomotive FC summer camps will be conducted all over El Paso including the westside, eastside and northeast.

Each camp is open to boys & girls based on the school grade that the child will be entering this Fall.

The fee to attend a camp includes quality soccer instruction, small-sided and full-sided games, a Locomotive FC Soccer Camp T-Shirt and a ticket to a Locomotive FC home game.

For all camp dates, locations and other details, and to register for Locomotive FC Summer Soccer Camps, please visit this website

El Paso Locomotive FC plays their next match at home on Sunday, May 12th 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!

El Paso Locomotive FC announces their gameday collectible poster series that will be designed by prominent local artists. El Paso has an ever-growing art scene that has fostered great talents and this intermingling of art and soccer looks to continue that growth.

“I was so excited when El Paso Locomotive reached out about this project. Art and soccer are connected in so many ways. Like the beautiful game, a piece of art changes and grows while it is being created,” said Gabaldon. “I think that is why I love the game so much. Despite the team shape and tactics, victory often comes down to that little spark or moment of unpredictable creativity.”

The first art-centric poster that fans can get their hands on will be at tomorrow’s match versus intrastate rival, Rio Grande Valley FC, and has been designed by Patrick Gabaldon.

Gates open at 6 p.m. and the first 2,500 fans in the door will receive their collectible poster.

Gabaldon was born and raised in El Paso and his art can be seen throughout the city. Featured in restaurants, art galleries, and the El Paso International Airport amongst others. His work is categorized by his bold use of color and bright tones that illuminate the cross-border culture of the city.

Gabaldon has also produced portraits of notable El Pasoans and pop culture icons alike.

Other local artists designing upcoming gameday posters include Christin Apodaca and Jesus “Cimi” Alvarado. Apodaca is most famous for her distinct style of black and white line work design that often includes portraits with added elements of style to introduce a geometric shift break. She also painted the “Locos” logo in front of fans at the alternate brand unveil.

This piece now lives inside Southwest University Park beside the Locomotive Team Shop entrance.

Alvarado is an El Paso native and has been heavily involved with public art projects and community involvement. His ongoing education program includes two full-scale murals made in conjunction with students from the El Paso Juvenile Detention Center and two large murals showcasing the history of the city. His work has been featured in shows in Buenos Aires, Mexico City, El Paso Museum of Art, and in our sister city, Ciudad Juarez.

El Paso Locomotive FC unveils the Lil’ Locos Program, another component of their youth soccer offerings, that kicks off this spring.

The 2019 Lil’ Locos Program offers young children an introduction to the sport in a safe, age-appropriate and fun environment.

The spring program will be for boys and girls who were born in 2013, 2014 and 2015 (children ages three to six). Lil’ Locos will offer developmentally appropriate practice sessions where children learn about soccer and practice social skills, with an emphasis on fun.

Sessions will be held throughout April and May at various locations in the city, serving families in all corners of El Paso.

At the helm of the Locomotive youth soccer programming is Bob Bigney, Director of Soccer Operations. Bigney has over 30 years’ experience in coaching, holding his US Soccer “A” License, the National Youth License, and is a certified instructor for US Soccer.

In addition, he is a licensed elementary school teacher having worked as a 4th-grade teacher in Las Cruces and an elementary school PE teacher in Virginia and New Mexico. Bigney has also served as the Technical Director for the New Mexico Youth Soccer Association and the Director of Coaching Education for the Oregon Youth Soccer Association.

“The objective of Locomotive FC Youth Soccer is to enhance the quality and scope of youth soccer opportunities in El Paso and surrounding areas,” stated Bigney.

“The Lil’ Locos Program is not team-based and will offer these young children a wonderful first soccer experience. It’s not about winning championships at this young age; but rather learning soccer skills and having fun with friends in a healthy, encouraging environment.”

More information on the Lil’ Locos Program, and other Locomotive FC youth soccer programs and events, is available on the Locomotive FC website.

With much fan-fare and colorful anticipation, the gates to Southwest University Park were opened to a sold-out crowd for the first-ever home match of the El Paso Locomotive.

While the Locomotive lost the match 3-1 against OKC Energy FC, fans finally got a chance to root for their home team.

Among the sold-out crowd was our very own Andres ‘Ace’ Acosta, and we bring you his view of the match in this ‘Story in Many Pictures’

El Paso Locomotive FC announced Thursday that Saturday’s historic inaugural home opener versus Oklahoma City Energy FC is sold out.

“Selling out Southwest University Park is nothing short of amazing, but not at all unexpected,” said General Manager, Business Operations Andrew Forrest. “We knew that when professional soccer was launched in this market that it would be a smashing success and the community has responded beautifully and proven us right. This match will be remembered forever in El Paso history and the people of this city are what made this sell out happen!” 

The game will be televised locally on the El Paso-Las Cruces CW as part of a partnership with KVIA ABC7. Kick-off is slated for 7:35 p.m.

Good tickets remain for upcoming matches on Saturday, March 23rd vs. intrastate rival Rio Grande Valley FC and the Saturday, March 30th match against Orange County SC.

The March 30th match will be accompanied by a promotional mini soccer ball giveaway for the first 1,500 fans who enter the stadium.

The CW is available to everyone in the El Paso/Las Cruces region on 7.2 over the air. Viewers can also watch the game on Spectrum channel 13, Comcast Cable channel 388, Direct TV and Dish Network on channels 8 and 17, respectively, and on AT&T U-verse channel 19. Fans can also catch the action on ESPN+.

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

The United Soccer League (USL) and ESPN announced Thursday the full 2019 schedule for the USL Championship Game of the Week, and the newly-minted El Paso Locomotive snagged four telecasts.

The schedule features more must-see games airing across ESPN’s linear networks than ever before, with eight contests set to air on national television over the course of the regular season, as well as an additional 14 to stream digitally on ESPN3.

In what is set to be the biggest season in league history, 26 teams from across the Championship will feature on national broadcasts, including five of the league’s seven expansion sides.

2019 El Paso Locomotive FC USL Championship Game of the Week on ESPN Schedule 

June 26 – San Antonio FC vs. El Paso Locomotive FC, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPNews
July 31 – New Mexico United vs. El Paso Locomotive FC, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN3
Oct. 2 – El Paso Locomotive FC vs. Fresno FC, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN3
Oct. 19/20 – Match To Be Decided, ESPN3

“We’re very pleased to see so many of our clubs getting exposure on the national stage,” said USL CEO, Alec Papadakis. “Our partnership with ESPN is elevating our league to new heights, and we could not be happier with its ability to bring our league to soccer fans across the United States.”

On the heels of the 2018 USL Cup, which aired for the first time on ESPN2 and in 50+ countries world-wide, Eastern Conference contenders Nashville SC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies will meet in the Championship’s first nationally-televised regular-season contest at First Tennessee Park on May 8.

ESPNews will serve as the home for the remaining seven linear broadcasts in 2019, kicking off with a clash between expansion side Memphis 901 FC and ATL UTD 2 at AutoZone Park on Wednesday, April 10.

Other exciting matches to feature on the network include a visit to Toyota Field for a Texas Derby when San Antonio FC hosts El Paso Locomotive FC on June 26, as well as a meeting between Sacramento Republic FC and the Eric Wynalda-led Las Vegas Lights FC at Papa Murphy’s Park on August 7.

The nationally televised eight-game slate will conclude with a clash between newcomers Hartford Athletic and Birmingham Legion FC at historic Dillon Stadium on October 9 in a game that could determine the playoff fate for both the Eastern Conference newcomers.

The USL Championship Game of the Week package will kick off on ESPN3 in March when newcomer New Mexico United welcomes Tulsa Roughnecks FC to Isotopes Park on March 20.

Four weeks later, we’ll pay a first visit to Bold Stadium to see Austin Bold FC as it takes on 2018 USL Cup finalist Phoenix Rising FC on April 17, before fans head north for the first of two trips in 2019 to Slugger Field where back-to-back USL Cup champion Louisville City FC hosts Memphis 901 FC on the final day of the month.

The package wraps up on the final weekend of the regular season with a matchup that will be selected at a later date as the final places in the 2019 USL Cup Playoffs are decided.

In addition to having the USL Championship Game of the Week on ESPN3, ESPNews and ESPN2, the league’s regular-season contests will be available in the United States through ESPN+, where the league will reside alongside USL League One, Serie A, Major League Soccer, the English Football League and UEFA Nations League, as well as numerous other competitions from around the world.

For the fourth consecutive year, every game will be produced by USL Productions, the league’s state-of-the-art broadcast production and distribution facilities established in partnership with VISTA Worldlink in south Florida.

Over the course of 2019, USL Productions will produce and distribute more than 700 matches and more than 1,500 hours of original content to national partners and local affiliates across the USL Championship and USL League One seasons. 

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 online or by calling 915-235-GOAL