El Paso Locomotive FC (1-2-2, 5 points) fell 1-3 against Phoenix Rising FC Saturday night. FW Aaron Gomez found the lone Locos goal, making it his second goal in as many games.
Locomotive started the game on the right foot, holding off Phoenix Rising pressure to cut out the passing lanes while maintaining crisp passing of their own. The passing paid off in the 12th minute when a perfectly weighted through ball from FW Dylan Mares found Gomez who tapped the ball just under the Phoenix ‘keeper. The advantage didn’t last long as moments later Rufat Dadashov buried a penalty kick opportunity. While Locomotive fought to get to the attacking third, Rising FC took control, finding powered shots to increase their lead from Solomon Asante and Junior Flemmings to increase their lead before the break.
The second half saw more of the Rising final third, however the ironclad Phoenix defense put ends to Locomotive offensive runs in the early stages. As the second half began to open up, Rising FC got a run past the Locomotive backline, where GK Logan Ketterer went one-on-one with a perfect stop to the run. While the chances kept coming for Los Locos, the shots would fly wide leaving the El Paso side wanting as the final whistle blew with a 1-3 scoreline.
UP NEXT: Los Locos return to El Paso to host Group C rival, Colorado Switchbacks FC. Kickoff from Southwest University Park is set for 7:30 p.m. MT on Saturday, August 8.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
ELP: Aaron Gomez (Dylan Mares), 15th minute – A beautifully weighted ball through traffic, made it into the path of Gomez at the top of the penalty area. With heavy pressure from a Rising defender, a small tap slipped the ball under Phoenix goalkeeper Eric Dick to tuck away nicely into the net.
PHX: Rufat Dadashov (Penalty), 19th minute – After being Rising FC was lightly taken down within the penalty area, the referee pointed to the spot. Dadashov stepped up, taking a shot that sent Logan Ketterer the wrong way to quickly level the playing field one more.
PHX: Solomon Asante (Rufat Dadashov), 36th minute – In a quick run of play, Dadashov added an assist to his earlier goal with through ball to switch the play to Asante, who took the opportunity to lace a shot into the far netting to double the Rising lead.
PHX: Junior Flemmings (Jon Bakero), 45’+6th minute – Flemmings picked up the light pass from Bakero before cutting in towards the center of the box to get on his left foot. Flemmings powered a shot down the center that shot through Logan Ketterer’s hands and into the net.
NOTES:
– The inter-group contest between Los Locos and Rising FC serves as the third of four matches Locomotive FC will play outside of Group C. Previously, Locos played Orange County SC and Rio Grande Valley to a scoreless draw and a 1-0 victory, respectively.
– The opening goal from Aaron Gomez marked his second of the season and his second goal in two games after converting a PK against New Mexico United last Friday.
– The result, paired with results elsewhere, Locomotive FC holds above the playoff line as 2nd on the Group C table, one point above Real Monarchs and next opponent, Switchbacks FC.
Match: El Paso Locomotive FC at Phoenix Rising FC
Date: August 1, 2020
Venue: Casino Arizona Field; Scottsdale, Arizona
Weather: 107F and mostly sunny
Scoring Summary 1 2 F
El Paso Locomotive FC 1 0 1
Phoenix Rising FC 3 0 3
ELP: Josue Aaron Gomez (Dylan Mares), 15’
PHX: Rufat Dadashov (PK), 19’
PHX: Solomon Asante (Rufat Dadashov), 36’
PHX: Junior Flemmings (Jon Bakero), 45’+6’
Lineups:
El Paso Locomotive FC (4-1-2-1): Logan Ketterer; Andrew Fox, Mechack Jerome, Drew Beckie (Guillermo Diaz, 71’), Chrio N’toko, Richie Ryan, Nick Ross (Marios Lomis, 82)’, Omar Salgado, Dylan Mares, Yuma (Saeed Robinson, 71’), Aaron Gomez
Subs not used: Jermaine Fordah, Louis Chapa Herrera, Moses Makinde, Distel Zola
Phoenix Rising FC (4-4-2): Eric Dick; Corey Whelan, Darnell King, AJ Cochran, Owusu-Ansah Kontor, Kevon Lambert (Joseph Farrell, 92’), Jon Bakero (Jose Aguinaga, 65’), Junior Flemmings, Solomon Asante (Jordan Schweitzer, 91’), Rufat Dadashov (Joey Calistri, 81’), Samuel Stanton (Jack Barmby, 65’)
Subs not used: Brandon Keniston, Lagos Kunga
Stats Summary: ELP/PHX
Shots: 23 / 7
Shots on Goal: 7 / 5
Saves: 2 / 6
Corner Kicks: 9 / 1
Fouls: 8 / 10
Offside: 1 / 1
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
ELP – Yuma (Caution), 22’
ELP – Drew Beckie (Caution), 40’
PHX – Kevon Lambert (Caution), 67’
PHX – Eric Dick (Caution) 96’