El Paso Locomotive FC at Phoenix Rising FC (Western Conference Final)
Saturday, October 24 | Casino Arizona Field; Scottsdale, Arizona
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. MT
El Paso – Las Cruces CW | ESPN+
@EPLocomotiveFC | #PHXvELP
The red-hot El Paso Locomotive FC continues its successful run through the 2020 USL Championship season with a second appearance in the Western Conference Final. With a spot in the USL Championship Final hanging in the balance, Locomotive will need to focus on three key areas to earn its first win over Phoenix Rising FC and to continue the success it has seen in its first two years.
Eder Borelli vs. Solomon Asante
Solomon Asante continues to be one of the most dangerous attacking players across the USL Championship. A gifted playmaker in the final third, Asante followed up his 2019 Golden Boot and MVP performance by becoming the Assist Champion of the 2020 season. With speed, confidence, and technical footwork, Asante will be a dangerous player in Saturday’s contest, however, he may have his match in Eder Borelli.
What Borelli lacks in size as a defender, he makes up for with skills on the ball. Since making regular appearances on the Locomotive Starting XI, Borelli has helped lift his side to resounding success to close out the season. A strong fit into Coach Lowry’s system, Borelli’s veteran play gives him the capabilities to strip the ball away from opposing attack with ease, putting vital stops to dangerous offensives. Should Borelli’s skill on the ball outshine those of Solomon Asante, it will be Locomotive’s game to win.
Dylan Mares vs. Samuel Stanton
Dylan Mares’ work on the ball has been exceptional throughout the 2020 regular season. With a clean strike in the 30th minute, Mares put Locomotive in an important lead against New Mexico United in the Western Conference Semifinal. Out dribbling his opponents and creating chances through the midfield has been a strong suit of Mares, highlighted by being second in the league for chances created.
Countering Mares in the midfield is Rising FC mainstay, Samuel Stanton. Quietly working in the defensive midfield, Stanton provides a needed roadblock against opposing attack. Winning 51% of his duels and 63% of his tackles, Stanton works through the central midfield to disrupt and transition, while also providing a necessary body for the attacking side of Rising FC. With Mares playing more of a central role, it will be the winner of Mares and Stanton that could change the flow of the game.
Aaron Gomez vs. AJ Cochran
Through the Quarter- and Semi-final games in the Western Conference, no player has been more dangerous than Locomotive forward Aaron Gomez. Through the opening two games of the playoffs, Aaron Gomez has rifled a multitude of shots towards goal but has come up empty by hitting the crossbar and goal posts more often than it being stopped by the goalkeeper or the ball sailing wide. Should Gomez find his marks on Saturday, Gomez will need to be stopped early before he can get a shot towards goal.
Rising’s AJ Cochran may be what the Arizona team needs to stop Gomez. The 6’3” former MLS defender has been a vital piece in the center back position. Winning the majority of duels while making vital clearances on set pieces – something Locomotive has been clinical on through 2020 – Cochran is the powerhouse on the backline that could limit shots from Gomez. Watch for Cochran to be a thorn in the side of not just Aaron Gomez, but the rest of the Locomotive offense when the two battle on Saturday in the Western Conference Final.