EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Locomotive FC (3-West, 9-5-5, 32 points) are set to host Oakland Roots SC for its final home game of the month on Saturday, July 22 at Southwest University Park, with kickoff on ESPN+ scheduled for 7:30 p.m. MT.
HOW TO WATCH EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC VS OAKLAND ROOTS SC – SATURDAY, JULY 22, 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 have yet to win a match against the Roots across all competitions, which includes the loss at the 2021 Western Conference Quarterfinals in the first ever meeting between both sides.
The last time both sides met at Southwest University Park, an Oakland Roots own goal helped Locomotive secure a 1-1 draw, the only goal scored on Oakland in a match against Locomotive. Saturday presents El Paso the opportunity to score its first goal against the NorCal side and get back in the win column.
EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC (3RD WESTERN CONFERENCE, 9-5-5, 32 PTS)
After Locomotive’s strong display of fighting spirit to save a draw against Rio Grande Valley FC, Head Coach and Technical Director Brian Clarhaut looks forward to the challenge against Oakland and sees it as a chance to pick things back up where El Paso left off.
“This is a new opportunity to get three points and that’s what we look at going into the next game,” he said in a post-training press conference.
Two key players ahead of Saturday’s contest will be the midfield duo of Eric Calvillo and Liam Rose, both having just signed two-year contract extensions with El Paso. Both are top passers in the squad, helping El Paso maintain possession and creating space to move the ball forward into the opponent’s half, which will be crucial against an Oakland side that’s dangerous in attack.
Goalkeeper Benny Diaz, who has been one of the league’s top goalkeepers this season with 56 saves and six clean sheets, will be reunited with some familiar faces. He played 13 matches on loan with Oakland last season, including a 1-1 draw at Southwest University Park.
OAKLAND ROOTS SC (6TH WESTERN CONFERENCE, 7-6-6, 27 PTS)
Oakland snapped its own six-game winless streak last Saturday in a 3-1 win at Monterey Bay FC, thanks to a brace from forward Johhny Rodriguez and a third from former Locomotive defender and El Paso native Guillermo Diaz.
Locomotive will need to be watchful of Rodriguez and forward Dariusz Formella, who have been Oakland Roots’ main attacking threats, netting seven and six times, respectively.
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.