El Paso Locomotive FC (7-2-3, 24 pts, Group C – 1) vs Real Monarchs (3-8-1, 10 pts, Group C – 3)
Saturday, September 19 | Southwest University Park; El Paso, Texas
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. MT
El Paso – Las Cruces CW | ESPN+
@EPLocomotiveFC | #ELPvSLC
El Paso Locomotive and Real Monarchs meet for the third time of the 2020 season on Saturday night in a match that holds playoff implications for the Texas team. The Track to the Trophy begins for Locomotive, having earned a second consecutive playoff berth while Monarchs play for the 2021 season having been eliminated from playoff contention.
2020 Stats Snapshot (ELP/SLC)
Goals For 19 / 13
Goals Against 14 / 18
Min/goal 56.8 / 83.1
Possession 55% / 47%
Passing Acc. 81.7% / 78.1%
Fouls 141 / 158
Yellow Cards 31 / 20
Red Cards 0 / 1
Locomotive Run Down
The Locos Blue are undefeated in their last seven games, currently running on a club record four-game win streak. Securing a 2-1 victory over Switchbacks FC, Locomotive clinched a playoff berth to start the track to the trophy. The first challenge is a match against the current USL Championship title winners as Locomotive aims to hold on to first of Group C and host the Western Conference Quarterfinals in October.
Player to Watch: Whether it’s coming as a substitution or starting the match, El Paso native Omar Salgado has been key in the attacking front of the Locomotive in their recent run of form. Notching a goal and an assist within the last three matches, Salgado has used his build to power through the opposing backlines and create chances for his side with open crosses into the middle. The playmaking style from Salgado has shined over the last few weeks making him the Locomotive Player to Watch for Saturday.
Real Monarchs Run Down
The Monarchs have had a poor defending year, winning only three games across 12 so far in the 2020 season. The less-than-impressive run of form has seen the Utah side be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. With four games remaining in the season, Real Monarchs are now playing with nothing left to lose as the team looks to build towards a successful 2021 season.
Player to Watch: While goals can come from all over the field for Real Monarchs, Kyle Coffee has been leading the attacking front with three goals to his name over the course of the season. With the absence of Douglas Martínez and Maikel Chang, Coffee has become the go-to finisher for his side. Coffee found the opening goal against Portland Timbers 2 on Wednesday and has the read of the game to be a dangerous piece against opposing defensive lines.