El Paso Locomotive and USL Championship announced today three players have been selected to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 8 following the club’s 3-1 win over Loudoun United FC. Forward Lucho Solignac and Midfielder Dylan Mares highlight the Starting XI while Midfielder Diego Luna earns a nod on the bench.
Lucho Solignac earned his first Team of the Week nod for the 2022 season after helping lead Locomotive to secure three points this weekend with two goals. Lucho recorded the first goal by perfectly converting a penalty kick in the 68th minute to equalize the scoring before putting the finishing touch with a goal in the 95th minute. The Argentine striker took three shots throughout the night with the two on target finding the back of the net for a personal xG of 1.38. This is Lucho’s fourth Team of the Week appearance since joining El Paso Locomotive FC in the 2021 season. In his first season with the club, Lucho made one appearance on the bench and two appearances in the Starting XI, including a nod as the Player of the Week for Week 15.
For the second time in the 2022 season, Dylan Mares has earned a spot in the Team of the Week. El Paso Locomotive’s Midfield Maestro pulled the strings for the Sun City club, leading the team with five chances created, including the assist on Lucho’s second goal. Throughout the 90-minutes on Saturday, Mares won 50% of his duels while completing 89% of his passes, 14 of which were in the final third to advance the Locomotive offense. This is Mares’ sixth overall appearance on the USL Championship Team of the Week since joining El Paso Locomotive FC in 2020. Since 2020, Mares has earned a Starting XI appearance five times while earning one nod on the bench.
Diego Luna recorded his second appearance on the bench for the 2022 season following his 81st-minute game-winner against Loudoun. Luna led the attack for El Paso, taking four shots on goal, three of which were on target. Luna helped command the midfield winning 58% of his duels.
For the full USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 8, see below:
GK – Jeff Caldwell, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The 2021 Goalkeeper of the Year finalist recorded a five-save shutout, including a key first-half penalty kick save, to keep the Switchbacks in the game before the side pulled away for a 3-0 victory on the road against Oakland Roots SC.
D – Fabien Garcia, San Antonio FC: Garcia recorded one assist and four chances created in San Antonio’s six-goal performance on Saturday against Monterey Bay F.C. while also recording four interceptions, five recoveries and three clearances.
D – Amadou Dia, Louisville City FC: Dia recorded one assist and two key passes and completed 32 of 39 passes overall in LouCity’s 2-0 win against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC while also winning 3 of 4 duels and 2 of 2 tackles at Lynn Gamily Stadium.
D – Mitchell Taintor, San Antonio FC: Taintor scored once and notched a key pass while completing 27 of 41 passes overall and four interceptions, five clearances and two recoveries in SAFC’s victory against Monterey Bay F.C.
M – Jonathan Perez, LA Galaxy II: Perez recorded one goal and two assists and finished the night with four shots and seven chances created as he completed 37 of 41 passes overall and 7 of 9 dribbles and won 9 of 14 duels in Los Dos’ 3-0 win against Phoenix Rising FC on Sunday.
M – Prosper Kasim, Birmingham Legion FC: Kasim recorded both goals as Legion FC took a 2-1 win against the Charleston Battery on Wednesday night, including an excellent late winner, had six shots and two chances created overall and completed 30 of 37 passes.
M – Nicky Hernandez, San Antonio FC: Hernandez had a strong first start for SAFC, recording one goal and one assist while completing 14 of 19 passes overall, winning 2 of 2 tackles and making 10 recoveries in his side’s 6-0 win against Monterey Bay F.C.
M – Dylan Mares, El Paso Locomotive FC: Mares had one assist and notched one shot and six chances created in El Paso Locomotive FC’s come-from-behind victory against Loudoun United FC as he completed 42 of 47 passes.
F – Luis Solignac, El Paso Locomotive FC: Solignac scored a pair of goals to lead El Paso Locomotive FC to a 3-1 victory on the road against Loudoun United FC and completed the contest with three shots, two chances created while completing 22 of 27 passes overall.
F – Erick Torres, Orange County SC: Torres bagged both goals as Orange County SC claimed its second league win of the season with a 2-1 win at Rio Grande Valley FC while also completing 21 of 24 passes
F – Hadji Barry, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The reigning Championship MVP had a goal and assist as the Switchbacks pulled away late to a 3-0 victory against Oakland Roots SC while completing 23 of 27 passes overall.
Bench: Tomas Romero (LV), Dan Casey (SAC), PC (SA), Diego Luna (ELP), Nick Moon (SD), Mikey Lopez (BHM), Wilson Harris (LOU)
Lucho, Mares, Luna, and El Paso Locomotive FC return to action on Wednesday, May 4 against FC Tulsa. Kickoff from Southwest University Park is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. MT. Additionally, Locomotive hosts LA Galaxy II on Saturday, May 7 in a match that will be closed out with a fireworks show. Kickoff for Saturday’s game is set for 7:30 p.m. MT. Good tickets remain for both games online at eplocomotivefc.com/tickets or by calling 915-235-GOAL.