EL PASO, TEXAS – September 18, 2026 – El Paso Locomotive FC will look to extend its current winning streak to eight games on Saturday night when it travels to take on Phoenix Rising FC. The Locos currently sit atop the Western Conference, one point ahead of second-place New Mexico United, while Phoenix enters the matchup in ninth place, just one point outside of a playoff spot.
WATCH: ESPN+
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.
FULL STEAM AHEAD
El Paso Locomotive FC travels to Phoenix, Arizona on September 19 to face off against Phoenix Rising FC. Kickoff is set for 8:00 pm MT, and the match can be streamed live on ESPN+.
BY THE NUMBERS (USL Championship)
Record: 13-7-4
Goals: 41 scored, 30 conceded (+11 GD)
Shots: 315 total, 114 on target (36.2%)
Clean Sheets: 7
Fouls: 302 drawn, 315 committed
Discipline: 50 yellow cards, 5 red cards
LAST TIME OUT
USL Championship
El Paso Locomotive FC defeated Louisville City FC 2-1 on Saturday night, extending its winning streak to seven games. Alex Méndez opened the scoring for El Paso, converting a penalty after Rubio Rubín was fouled inside the box. Rubín doubled Locomotive’s lead just before halftime, finishing an end-to-end sequence from El Paso to give the club a 2-0 advantage. Louisville pulled a goal back in the 77th minute when substitute Manny Pérez found the back of the net with a header.
LAST TIME OUT VS PHOENIX RISING
The two teams met earlier this season at Southwest University Park, playing to a 1-1 draw. Alex Méndez opened the scoring for El Paso in the 46th minute, before Phoenix responded in the 70th minute with a headed finish to level the match.
ALL-TIME SERIES VS PHOENIX RISING
El Paso Locomotive FC holds a 2-6-7 all-time record against Phoenix, with both of its wins coming during the 2022 season. Across the five most recent meetings between the two sides, Locomotive is 0-1-4, with the lone loss coming in the first round of last season’s playoffs. Amando Moreno and Gabi Torres lead El Paso in goals across those five meetings, with both players scoring three times. Torres found the back of the net in three consecutive matches against Phoenix.
PUSH FOR THE PLAYOFFS
Locomotive currently sits in first place in the Western Conference standings, one point ahead of second-place New Mexico United. El Paso has won its last seven matches, making it the hottest team in the USL Championship with the league’s best current run of form.
GOLDEN BOOT RACE
Rubio Rubín continues to lead the USL Championship in goals, currently sitting tied for first with Colorado Springs’ Khori Bennett at 14 goals. Rubín has scored four goals across his last two matches, including a hat trick against Loudoun United on August 29.
CHASING HISTORY
El Paso Locomotive FC is currently riding a seven-game winning streak, matching the longest winning streak in club history. The last time Locomotive won seven consecutive matches was in 2023, when the club won seven straight from April 8 through June 10. With a win over Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday, Locomotive can set a new club record with an eighth consecutive victory.
INTERNATIONAL CALL-UPS
Five Locomotive players have been called up to represent their respective countries during the upcoming international window, with players participating in the Concacaf Nations League and Africa Cup of Nations. Rubio Rubín (Guatemala), Noah Dollenmayer (Dominican Republic), Nicolás Cardona (Puerto Rico), and Carl Sainté (Haiti) will take part in Concacaf Nations League group stage matches, while Jimmy Farkarlun (Liberia) will compete in the Africa Cup of Nations group stage.