EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Locomotive FC (3-West, 9-5-4, 31 points) play host to Rio Grande Valley FC this Saturday, July 15 at Southwest University Park during El Paso Night, a celebration of the beautiful city Los Locos call home.
HOW TO WATCH EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC VS RIO GRANDE VALLEY FC – SATURDAY, JULY 15, 2023 @ 7:30 P.M. MT – SOUTHWEST UNIVERSITY PARK
Stream: ESPN+
Watch: KTSM.com, Estrella TV 9.2
Be sure to follow @eplocomotivefc on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for live updates of the match. Additionally, fans are encouraged to download the team’s official mobile app on the Apple App Store or Google Play for instant access to mobile tickets, team content and match notifications.
ALL-TIME SERIES
El Paso are 3-4-2 against RGV in the USL Championship and Locomotive will come into Saturday’s contest not only looking to snap its current four-game winless streak, but also pick up its first win against the Toros since August 21, 2021.
EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC (3RD WESTERN CONFERENCE, 9-5-4, 31 PTS)
Star forward Luis “Lucho” Solignac will want to break his own stretch of four games without finding the back of the net. Historically, he has put up numbers against RGV. In his USL Championship career, Lucho has scored five times against Rio Grande Valley, the second-most goals he has scored against a single opponent. Additionally, his first ever career goal for Locomotive was against RGV on May 22, 2021, which remains the fastest goal in club history at 18 seconds.
Midfielder Eric Calvillo, who has been crucial for Locomotive at the midfield in build-up play, will aim to put up another offensive shift to help steer Locomotive back into the win column.
“We’ve got another Texas opponent and it’s just about trying to respond there,” Calvillo said about the game against RGV at Wednesday’s post-match press conference. “[We need to] continue the positive things that we’ve been doing and try to find those results again that [gave us] success in the early part of the season.”
This Copa Tejas match will also see Locomotive defender Erik McCue reunite with the club that kickstarted his professional career at 18 years old. On loan from MLS’ Houston Dynamo, McCue spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons with the Toros, making seven total appearances.
RIO GRANDE VALLEY FC (10TH WESTERN CONFERENCE, 5-5-8, 23 PTS)
RGV picked up its first ever win at Southwest University Park last season and despite currently being under the playoff line, a win could help propel them back into a playoff spot. The Toros are on a six-game unbeaten run with three wins and three losses and will aim to make things difficult for El Paso’s defense.
Wilmer Cabrera Jr. has been RGV’s lead man this season, notching four goals and an assist throughout the unbeaten streak, and will look for ways to get around players down the stretch.
RGV’s Christiano Francois returns to Southwest University Park after spending the 2022 season with Locomotive. During his time in El Paso, the Haitian winger recorded 16 starts in 26 appearances, scored one goal and assisted another. Up to now with RGV, Francois has recorded two goals and two assists in 18 matches, 16 of which he has started.
ADDITIONAL INFO
The full 2023 regular season match schedule can be found HERE. All USL Championship regular season and playoff games will be available to stream on ESPN+ in 2023. All Saturday home games will be simulcast on KTSM.com and Estrella TV 9.2 (Cable 1244).
All tickets for 2023, including Individual Match, Season Tickets and Pick Six Membership are on sale now and are available for purchase online at eplocomotivefc.com/tickets, within the official mobile app, calling (915) 235-GOAL or texting (915) 666-2005. You can also call (915) 235-GOAL for more information on Group Outings and Premium Suites. El Paso Locomotive FC does offer military discounts, which can be purchased HERE.
To check out the 2023 promotional schedule, click HERE.
In need of gear to rep your Locomotive and El Paso pride year-round? Visit the official El Paso Locomotive FC Team Shop online HERE, in the team’s official mobile app or visit the physical retail store (1 Ballpark Plaza, El Paso, TX 79901) Monday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.