El Paso Locomotive FC (6-2-3, 21 points) stole three points at home against San Antonio FC in an unofficial Copa Tejas match in front of a sold-out capacity crowd of 1,519 fans. Aáron Gómez pocketed the penalty for the lone Locomotive goal, with a San Antonio own goal securing the three points for Locomotive.
“On our day we are a very good team,” said Head Coach and Technical Director Mark Lowry. “Now it is a case of turning those good performances, those competitive games, into wins against the better teams like New Mexico, San Antonio and Phoenix. We consider ourselves in that group and we want to elevate ourselves past that group and to do that you have to beat those teams. The last two weeks have shown we are capable of doing that.”
Los Locos entered the night maintaining high pressure and fast paced attacks while using its man-to-man coverage to quickly silence the transition for San Antonio. Gomez emerged early in the third minute with a shot that went just wide, while Mechack Jerome worked in the centerback position to help protect the El Paso goal. The high attack forced The game turned dramatic as Gomez put away a penalty kick opportunity in the 40th minute, only to have the goal advantage voided when the ref pointed at the spot the other way, which Luis Solignac converted.
Opportunities opened for both in the second half that saw Locomotive control most of the possession, however, both sides testing the goal. Bryam Rebellon got a head to the ball that ended just wide, moments before Omar Salgado would send a through pass a touch too heavy towards Gomez on a counter. Meanwhile, Logan Ketterer defended the goal with huge saves to keep the scoring at a goal apiece. While Los Locos fought to earn the win over SAFC, it was an own goal by Mitchell Taintor from a Locos freekick to earn the three points and give their Copa Tejas rival their first loss of the season.
UP NEXT: Los Locos play in a quick turn-around, hosting Group C opponent, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC for a midweek match-up. Round 3 between the two foes is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16 with kickoff from Southwest University Park set for 7:30 p.m.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
ELP: Aáron Gómez (Penalty), 40th minute – After taking a knock from an extended arm at the six-yard line, Gomez stepped up to the spot, pocketing the shot into the left just through the touch of Matt Cardone.
SA: Luis Solignac (Penalty), 45th minute – Moments after the opening goal, the ref pointed to the spot the other way, this time Solignac sent Logan Ketterer the wrong way, leveling out the scoring ahead of the break.
ELP: Mitchell Taintor (Own Goal), 95th minute – Late in the game, Locomotive served in a late free kick into a crowded box. Taintor botched the clearance with a header, sending the ball into the back of his own net for an own goal.
NOTES:
– Fans filled the stadium to meet a sold-out capacity limit of 1,519 for the second straight week.
– Los Locos extend their undefeated streak to six, pushing their record to 4-0-2 in their recent run of form.
– Locomotive FC snapped the undefeated streak of San Antonio FC, serving the Central Texas team their first loss of the season behind the 2-1 win.
Match: El Paso Locomotive FC vs San Antonio FC
Date: September 12, 2020
Venue: Southwest University Park; El Paso, Texas
Attendance: 1,519
Weather: 80F and overcast
Scoring Summary 1 2 F
El Paso Locomotive FC 1 1 2
San Antonio FC 1 0 1
ELP – Aáron Gómez (Penalty), 40’
SA – Luis Solignac (Penalty), 45
ELP – Michtell Taintor (Own Goal), 95’
Lineups:
El Paso Locomotive FC (4-1-2-1-2): Logan Ketterer, Andrew Fox, Mechack Jerome, Brent Kallman, Macauley King, Yuma, Distel Zola (Chapa Herrera, 61’), Bryam Rebellon (Leandro Carrijo, 85’), Dylan Mares, Omar Salgado, Aaron Gomez
Subs not used: Jermaine Fordah, Drew Beckie, Eder Borelli, Saeed Robinson, Richie Ryan
San Antonio FC (3-5-2): Matt Cardone; Mitchell Taintor, Joshua Yaro, Callum Montgomery, Victor Giro, Blake Smith, Hunter Gorskie, Connor Maloney, Ignacio Bailone (Gonzalo Di Renzo, 59’), Cristian Parano (Jordan Perruzza, 59’), Luis Solignac (Jose Gallegos, 87’)
Subs not used: Leo Torres, Hayden Partain, Jose Carlos Mercado, Kai Greene
Stats Summary: ELP/SA
Shots: 14 / 10
Shots on Goal: 4 / 4
Saves: 3 / 3
Corner Kicks: 7 / 2
Fouls: 17 / 22
Offside: 0 / 3
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SA – Callum Montgomery (Caution), 39’
ELP – Andrew Fox (Caution), 43’
SA – Victor Giro (Caution), 70’
SA – Jordan Perruzza (Caution), 83’
ELP – Omar Salgado (Caution), 84’
SA – Mitchell Taintor (Caution), 93’
ELP – Macauley King (Caution), 97’