El Paso Locomotive FC (5-2-3, 18 points) secured its first series win over regional rival New Mexico United with a 3-2 scoreline in front of a sold-out capacity crowd of 1,519 fans. Macauley King scored his first goal in a Locomotive jersey while Dylan Mares put away the late game-winner.
“They are a really good team,” said Head Coach and Technical Director Mark Lowry. Whenever we play them it’s a really good game of football and I enjoy those games. Tonight, was another good game, and fortunately for us, we came out on the right side of the result.”
Throughout the night the team chemistry and resiliency shined as Locomotive FC fought to secure the three points to close the gap on New Mexico United on the Group C table. After United claimed the opening goal in the 13th minute, Locomotive fought back taking control of the match and testing the United backline. Macca equalized in the 25th minute with a headed effort to be United ‘keeper Cody Mizell. The match turned into an uphill battle after Devon Sandoval converted a late first-half penalty to put Los Locos down 1-2 at the break.
An energized Locomotive side came out of the locker room in the second half, dominating the flow while reducing the United star-studded attacking front. The pressure paid off with Omar Salgado sending a pass inside that United’s Austin Yearwood tipped into the goal to level out the scoring. Locomotive kept up the high-pressure attack, before Salgado made another quick run down the left, mirroring his earlier play, this time finding the foot of Mares who slotted home the late game-winner to secure the 3-2 victory over their regional rival.
UP NEXT: Locomotive FC returns to Southwest University Park next Saturday to host its final inter-group opponent, Copa Tejas rival San Antonio FC. Kickoff from El Paso is set for Saturday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m. MT.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
NM: David Estrada (Amando Moreno), 13th minute – Moreno found the space to play around the Locomotive FC defense, pushing into a one-on-one situation against GK Logan Ketterer. In a selfless display, Moreno switched the play across the box to Estrada, who slotted home the easy goal.
ELP: Macauley King (Dylan Mares), 25th minute – Capitalizing on corner kick opportunities brought on by the Locomotive fight for an equalizer, Dylan Mares sent his serve to the far post. Macca rose above the crowd, sending the header low. While Mizell was able to get a touch, it wasn’t enough to stop the ball from crossing the line for an equalizer.
NM: Devon Sandoval (Penalty), 41st minute – After Macca stopped the United offense with a tackle in the penalty area, the referee pointed to the spot. Sandoval took the opportunity, sending Ketterer the wrong way to convert the penalty and put United in the lead once more.
ELP: Austin Yearwood (Own Goal), 60th minute – Continuing the strong response of Locomotive FC, Omar Salgado made a run down the left before cutting the ball middle to tee up the equalizing goal. With a little help from Yearwood, the ball redirected into the far post to level the scoring.
ELP: Dylan Mares (Omar Salgado), 88th minute – In a late finish, Omar Salgado pushed down the left side before cutting back the pass where Mares stood center to put away the game-winning goal with a one-touch finish.
NOTES:
– Southwest University Park opened its doors further, welcoming a sold-out capacity crowd of 1,519 fans.
– Macca opens his goal scoring account for Locomotive FC with a headed effort in the 25th minute. Paired with last week’s header from Brent Kallman, the latest Loco signings have made early impacts by capitalizing on set pieces.
– For the first time in five meetings, Locomotive FC came out on top over regional rival New Mexico United, moving the series record to 1-2-2
Match: El Paso Locomotive FC vs New Mexico United
Date: September 5, 2020
Venue: Southwest University Park; El Paso, Texas
Attendance: 1,519
Weather: 94F and clear skies
Scoring Summary 1 2 F
El Paso Locomotive FC 1 2 3
New Mexico United 2 0 2
NM – David Estrada (Amando Moreno), 13’
ELP – Macauley King (Dylan Mares), 25’
NM – Devon Sandoval (Penalty), 42’
ELP – Austin Yearwood (Own Goal), 60’
ELP – Dylan Mares (Omar Salgado),
Lineups:
El Paso Locomotive FC (4-1-2-1-2): Logan Ketterer; Andrew Fox, Brent Kallman, Mechack Jerome, Macauley King (Leandro Carrijo, 79’), Richie Ryan, Chapa Herrera (Yuma, 73’), Bryam Rebellón, Dylan Mares (Saeed Robinson, 95’), Aaron Gomez, Omar Salgado
Subs not used: Jermaine Fordah, Distel Zola, Eder Borelli, Drew Beckie
New Mexico United (3-5-2): Cody Mizell; Kalen Ryden, Sam Hamilton (Rashid Tetteh, 81’), Austin Yearwood, Saalih Muhammad, Josh Suggs, Christopher Wehan, Amando Moreno (Daniel Bruce, 81’), David Estrada (David Najem, 55’), Andrew Tinari, Devon Sandoval (Romeo Parkes, 69’)
Subs not used: Joris Ahlinvi, Samson Sergi, Philipp Beigl
Stats Summary: ELP/NM
Shots: 21 / 8
Shots on Goal: 4 / 5
Saves: 3 / 2
Corner Kicks: 8 / 3
Fouls: 7 / 13
Offside: 4 / 4
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
ELP – Macauley King (Caution), 40’
NM – David Estrada (Caution), 44’
NM – Devon Sandoval (Caution), 52’
NM – Saalih Muhammad (Caution), 70’
ELP – Andrew Fox (Caution), 82’
ELP – Drew Beckie (Caution), 90’