The Loco Express
El Paso Locomotive (2) vs Indy Eleven (0)
Wednesday, June 9; Southwest University Park, El Paso, Texas
El Paso Locomotive put on a complete and dominant display over its Eastern Conference visitors on Wednesday night. Nick Ross kicked things off quickly, rifling a shot off the crossbar and into the goal within two minutes of the opening whistle. Through the second half, Locomotive would go on to outplay Indy, testing the waters for another goal to extend the lead. That goal would come through the young Diego Luna, who took a low shot from a distance that skipped nicely into the bottom corner of the near post. Meanwhile, on the backline, the Locomotive defensive line of Yuma, Mechack Jerome, Eder Borelli, and Macca King kept Indy Eleven with only two shots on target, both of which Logan Ketterer dealt with easily for the clean sheet.
At the end of the night, Diego Luna was welcomed in front of the banner on the field to be named Estrella of the Match of the night. Throughout the night against Indy Eleven, Luan practically spearheaded the Locomotive attack, leading the team with four shots, three of which were on frame and one finding the back of the net. Scoring his second goal in as many games, Luna has begun to find his stride on the Locomotive roster, playing with a level of comfort that allows him to have fun on the ball. The 17-year-old midfielder wasn’t just out to score goals, however, as his work ethic at the center of the pitch produced a 91.3% (42/46) passing accuracy. Luna also won 66.7% of his duels, making him Estrella of the Match against Indy Eleven.
Two. Is it cheating to harp so heavily on the impressive Locomotive defense again? Throughout the night, the overall team performance in defense led to Indy Eleven only having two shots on goal, both of which Logan Ketterer comfortably saved. The solid back wall of Eder Borelli, Mechack Jerome, Yuma, and Macca King, has led to the stingiest defense in the league, conceding just one goal in five games – the lowest amount across the Championship. It’s been an outstanding performance as a whole, not only against Indy Eleven, but in the past three matches as well, and is telling of what this team is capable of and why it can be considered one of – if not the – best team in the league.
The midweek win pushed Locomotive up in the Mountain Division standings, taking second still with a game in hand going into the weekend. Now only two points below the top spot, El Paso Locomotive has an opportunity to claim the top of the division early in the season with a win over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday.
The win also extends a series of El Paso Locomotive streaks. With the clean sheet, Locomotive has now gone four straight games without allowing its opponent on the board while also pushing its home record to 12 games unbeaten. Standing as the only team in the Western Conference to have yet to lose a game, Locomotive is primed to outlast its Eastern Conference counterpart, Hartford Athletic as the only squad unbeaten in early in the 2021 USL Championship season.
On Saturday, El Paso Locomotive FC welcomes Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC to Southwest University Park for a weekend match to put a stamp on a tight series of games. Locomotive (3-0-2) is carrying momentum behind it with two straight wins and an unbeaten streak that has made it into the juggernaut of the Western Conference. Meanwhile, Switchbacks FC (1-2-1) comes to El Paso after a week’s rest following its 1-1 draw with San Antonio FC. Hungry for more and eager to send a message with a result against El Paso, Saturday’s contest could have major implications on the Mountain Division standings down the line in the regular season.
Don’t miss Locomotive play at Southwest University Park for the last time in June! Tickets are available for Saturday’s contest and can be purchased online by clicking here or by calling 915-235-GOAL. The first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a free Locomotive beach towel featuring Ozzy.