El Paso Locomotive (1-5-1, 4 points, West-12) ended level on a 1-1 scoreline with Oakland Roots SC at Southwest University Park on Saturday night. Forward Lucho Solignac recorded his first goal of the 2022 season while Midfielder Sebastian Velasquez made his return to the pitch.
“I thought the boys put in a really good shift and put in a good game,” commented Head Coach and Technical Director John Hutchinson, post-game. “I’m disappointed for them that they didn’t get the win because I felt they deserved it tonight. We pick up the point, we dust ourselves off, and we go again. For me, there are really good signs tonight on both ends of the field.”
El Paso Locomotive dominated the flow of the game in the opening 45 minutes, leading to an opening chance from a corner that saw Defender Andrew Fox place a header into the wrong side of the netting. Shortly after, a poor clearance on the other end landed perfectly at the feet for Oakland’s Dariusz Formella, who took a wild shot towards the other end of goal and found an opener in the 13th minute. The Locos were quick to respond through Solignac, whose quick turn in the box nearly put El Paso on the board. Lucho found his moment in the 31st minute, chipping a ball off an Oakland defender to level the scoring.
Just before the half, Forward Aaron Gomez nearly put Locomotive in the lead, but his penalty kick attempt bounced off the crossbar. The two sides mirrored one another through the second half, as Oakland’s early corner flew just over the crossbar with a header before the Locos did the same with a headed effort from Defender Harry Brockbank. Locos revitalized itself after Velasquez entered the match, as shortly after he and Solignac paired for two quick near chances on goal. While there was a late-game push for El Paso to earn a game-winner as Oakland parked the bus content with a draw, the goal wouldn’t come however as the two sides split the points at Southwest University Park.
UP NEXT: El Paso Locomotive travels to the Eastern Conference to take on Loudoun United FC in their first-ever meeting in franchise history. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. MT and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
OAK: Dariusz Formella, 13th minute: After winning a freekick that was served well into the box, Lucho Solignac’s attempt at a clear with a flicked header behind him unluckily fell to the feet of Formella who capitalized with a wild shot towards the far top corner.
ELP: Lucho Solignac (Richie Ryan), 31st minute: On a Locomotive offensive, Ryan lobbed a ball forward to Lucho in the box. Lucho was quickly pressed by the Roots’ Goalkeeper Benny Diaz and Daniel Barbir, but Lucho was quick to try and chip a shot over and towards goal. The chip ended up deflecting against Barbir and around an unsure Diaz for the equalizing goal.
NOTES:
– Forward Lucho Solignac recorded his first goal of the 2022 USL Championship in the 31st minute. The goal is his 11th in a Locomotive jersey in regular season.
– Coming in as a 90-minute substitution, Midfielder Nick Hinds recorded his 100th USL Championship Regular Season Appearance in his career.
– Midfielder Sebastian Velasquez made his return to play after suffering a lower-body injury in the opening match against Sacramento Republic SC.
Match: El Paso Locomotive vs Oakland Roots SC
Date: April 23, 2022
Venue: Southwest University Park
Weather: 78F and clear skies
Scoring Summary 1 2 F
El Paso Locomotive 1 0 1
Oakland Roots SC 1 0 1
OAK – Dariusz Formella, 13’
ELP – Lucho Solignac (Richie Ryan), 31’
Lineups:
El Paso Locomotive FC (4-3-3): Evan Newton; Eder Borelli (Nick Hinds, 90’), Andrew Fox, Yuma, Harry Brockbank, Richie Ryan, Dylan Mares (Chapa Herrera, 90’), Eric Calvillo (Sebastian Velasquez, 67’), Aaron Gomez, Emmanuel Sonupe (Ricardo Zacarias, 18’), Lucho Solignac
Subs not used: Philipp Beigl, Ander Egiluz, Christiano Francois
Oakland Roots SC (3-4-2-1): Benny Diaz; Daniel Barbir, Emrah Klimenta, Alejandro Fuenmayor (Charlie Dennis, 80’), Juan Azocar, Joseph Nane, Jose Hernandez, Egardo Rito, Dariusz Formella (Johnny Rodriguez, 92’), Ottar Karlsson, Jesus Enriquez
Subs not used: Taylor Bailey, Max Ornstil, Tarek Morad, Wolfgang Prentice, Memo Diaz
Stats Summary: ELP | OAK
Shots: 14 | 6
Shots on Goal: 5 | 3
Saves: 2 | 4
Corner Kicks: 8 | 5
Fouls: 15 | 9
Offside: 1 | 0
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
OAK – Joseph Nane (Caution), 38’
OAK – Jesus Enriquez (Caution), 69’
ELP – Dylan Mares (Caution), 81’
ELP – Eder Borelli (Caution), 88’