In the 71st minute against Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday, Locomotive Forward Aaron Gomez neatly placed the ball on the penalty spot. Moments earlier, he was dragged down in the box by Rising Defender Manuel Madrid, prompting the referee to point to the spot.
Two years earlier, Gomez found himself in a similar situation. The 2020 Western Conference Final took place at Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium, ending in a penalty shootout between the two powerhouse clubs. In the final moments of that shootout, Gomez took an unfortunate slip, sending his shot far over the crossbar setting Phoenix Rising FC to claim the win.
This year, however, there would be no mistake. Aaron Gomez took his left footed penalty kick with precision and with power. Rising FC’ Ben Lundt dove the right way, but there was nothing he could do to stop the ball from tucking away into the bottom left corner. The converted penalty gifted El Paso it’s first ever win over Phoenix Rising FC after five all-time competition meetings.
“I haven’t had the opportunity to score in several matches and what better way to help the team with three points,” a smiling Aaron Gomez said after the match Saturday.
Prior to the penalty kick, there was a conversation between Gomez and Midfielder Dylan Mares. In the moment, Dylan knew it was an important opportunity for Gomez to put one over on Phoenix and get back into the goal scoring column. On the field, Dylan offered the kick to Gomez, who happily took the chance.
The penalty gave Locomotive a critical three points over a Western Conference opponent that has games in hand. As El Paso approaches its halfway point through the 2022 USL Championship season, every point is starting to feel important as the Locos look to hold on to a playoff spot. It also moved the Locos to five games undefeated with three wins and two draws, upping the confidence of the Locomotive locker room against a difficult Phoenix rising squad.
“They are a very strong rival and what better way that we could take advantage and continue to that streak of good form that we are going through,” commented Aaron.
Aaron Gomez and El Paso Locomotive FC will be looking to continue their run and good form this Saturday on national television. The team heads to Keyworth Stadium to play Detroit City FC on Saturday, June 18 at 10:00 a.m. MT live on ESPN. The Locos will be back in El Paso on Saturday, June 25 when it hosts New York Red Bulls II. Tickets are available now online at eplocomotivefc.com/tickets or by calling 915-235-GOAL.