El Paso Locomotive FC (8-2-3, 27 points) took the full three points behind a 1-0 win over Real Monarchs in front of a sold-out capacity crowd of 1,519 fans at Southwest University Park on Saturday. The game-winning goal from Eder Borelli marked his first in a Locomotive jersey and provided Los Locos a four-point lead over New Mexico United with an opportunity to clinch first in the group next Saturday.
“I’m really happy with how professional the guys have gone about their work the last few weeks,” said Head Coach and Technical Director Mark Lowry. “It’s not just what you see on a Saturday but on the Monday to Friday that you don’t see, the training environment and the way they come in every morning. There is a real vibe through the group right now that there’s something special there. We know we have to keep taking care of business on the field and we have to keep getting wins but in general, the feeling the group has been really good.”
Throughout the first half, the match stayed a narrow stalemate with neither side finding a strong opportunity on goal. While the two teams made runs into the opposing final third, neither end was able to find the back of the net. Logan Ketterer came up big, along with his backline, to keep all of the Monarchs first-half shots off target, while the Locomotive pairing of Omar Salgado and Aáron Gómez had opportunities that went just wide. Just before the whistle blew for the halftime break, Memo Diaz beautifully lobbed a ball into the box at the far post where Borelli completed his run, connecting the header for the advantage.
The Locos Blue came out of the locker room flying, keeping possession squarely in the opposing half. Salgado played the wing, making easy work of Monarchs defender Steve Jasso to send low crosses toward the middle, but couldn’t connect with Gomez and Chapa Herrera to capitalize. Keeping the attacking pressure up, the Monarchs defense held steadfast to stop the Locomotive attack. Meanwhile, Locomotive’s own backline continued to shut down the lacking Monarchs offensive to keep the team without a shot on goal. The overall performance secured
UP NEXT: Los Locos return to Southwest University Park for the final home match of the 2020 Regular Season, taking on regional rivals, New Mexico United for the fourth time. Round 4 of the regional derby is scheduled for Saturday, September 26 with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. MT.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
ELP: Eder Borelli (Memo Diaz), 45th+3 minute – In first-half stoppage time, Memo played a perfect cross to the far post to find Borelli continuing his run. The former FC Juarez captain made the jump to head the ball in past Monarchs goalkeeper David Ochoa.
NOTES:
– Defender and former FC Juarez captain Eder Borelli tallied his first goal in a Locomotive jersey in stoppage time.
– Locomotive FC moves to being unbeaten in its last eight games with a the last five being wins.
– The win tonight puts Locomotive four points above New Mexico United with an opportunity to secure first in Group C with a win over their regional rival next Saturday.
Match: El Paso Locomotive FC vs Real Monarchs
Date: September 19, 2020
Venue: Southwest University Park; El Paso, Texas
Attendance: 1,519
Weather: 80F; clear and sunny
Scoring Summary 1 2 F
El Paso Locomotive FC 1 0 1
Real Monarchs 0 0 0
ELP – Eder Borelli (Memo Diaz), 45’+3
Lineups:
El Paso Locomotive FC (4-1-2-1-2): Logan Ketterer; Andrew Fox (Eder Borelli, 38’), Drew Beckie, Mechack Jerome, Memo Diaz (Macauley King, 90’), Yuma, Distel Zola (Richie Ryan, 57’), Chapa Herrera, Saeed Robinson (Dylan Mares, 57’), Omar Salgado, Aáron Gómez (Leandro Carrijo, 90’)
Subs not used: Jermaine Fordah, Brent Kallman
Real Monarchs (4-2-3-1): David Ochoa; Zack Farnsworth, Nicolás Giménez, Steve Jasso, James Moberg, Sam Brown, Ricardo Avila, Jack Blake, Dayonn Harris (Bode Davis, 68’), Ryan Sierakowski (Julian Vázquez, 68’) (Kyle Coffee, 75’), Luis Arriaga (Devin Vega, 92’)
Subs not used: Jimmy Slayton, Daniel Flores, Michael Wetungu
Stats Summary: ELP/SLC
Shots: 13 / 6
Shots on Goal: 1 / 0
Saves: 0 / 0
Corner Kicks: 7 / 5
Fouls: 12 / 22
Offside: 1 / 0
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SLC– Jack Blake (Caution), 47’
SLC – James Moberg (Caution), 78’
ELP – Richie Ryan (Caution), 79’
SLC – Ricardo Avila (Caution), 87’
SLC – Sam Brown (Caution), 89’