El Paso Locomotive (5-6-1, 16 points, West-6) claimed three points at Southwest University Park following a 1-0 win over Sacramento Republic FC on Wednesday night. Defender Andrew Fox scored the lone goal in the 75th minute while Goalkeeper Evan Newton earned his league-best 53rd clean sheet.
“Super proud of my team tonight,” said John Hutchinson, Locomotive Head Coach and Technical Director. “Great character. Resilience to just hang in there. It is hard because you tell them to be patient and to keep moving the ball, but the other team is just sitting and not moving. It’s a great three points for us.”
The second match of 2022 between these two clubs opened to a very quiet start. Through the opening 30 minutes, both sides had chances to break the stalemate but couldn’t put any threatening shots on frame. While Locomotive dominated possession, the packed in Sacramento defense kept the Locos without a shot. On the other end, Sacramento was able to earn a flurry of corners, but the Locos backline eliminated any threat.
The stalemate broke in the 75th minute as Locomotive found a goal through Fox, who entered the match moments earlier as a substitution. Midfielder Dylan Mares served in a cross far post that connected to Fox’s one touch for the game-winner. Locomotive used the last 15 minutes to press for an insurance goal while Sacramento pushed forward to find the equalizer. The result turned into a chippy game that saw Sacramento Republic fall to 10 men as Douglas Martinez earned a straight red card in the 81st minute. Despite the chances, the goal from Andrew Fox would be the decider as Locomotive earned three points on the 1-0 victory.
UP NEXT: El Paso Locomotive goes back on the road to finish out another three-game week against defending USL Championship title-winners, Orange County SC. Kickoff from Championship Soccer Stadium is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. MT and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
ELP: Andrew Fox (Dylan Mares), 75th minute: Off of a set piece play, Mares served the ball to the far post where Fox lie in wait. The veteran defender was able to get a foot on the ball to redirect the shot into the back of the net.
NOTES:
– El Paso Locomotive moves to five games unbeaten at Southwest University Park, with the last four being victories.
– With the 1-0 win, Locomotive jumps over Sacramento Republic, taking a spot above the playoff line in the early stages of the season.
– Defender Andrew Fox recorded his second goal of the season, putting away the corner kick in the 75th minute.
– Goalkeeper Evan Newton earned his 53rd career clean sheet in the USL Championship regular season, extending his hold on the league record.
Match: El Paso Locomotive vs Sacramento Republic FC
Date: May 18, 2022
Venue: Southwest University Park; El Paso, Texas
Weather: 92F with clear skies
Scoring Summary 1 2 F
El Paso Locomotive 0 1 1
Sacramento Republic 0 0 0
ELP – Andrew Fox (Dylan Mares), 75’
Lineups:
El Paso Locomotive FC (4-3-3): Evan Newton; Eder Borelli, Yuma, Matt Bahner (Nick Hinds, 79’), Chapa Herrera (Shavon John-Brown, 41’), Eric Calvillo (Richie Ryan, 46’) , Diego Luna, Dylan Mares, Christiano Francois (Andrew Fox, 66’), Aaron Gomez (Ricardo Zacarias, 79’), Lucho Solignac
Subs not used: Philipp Beigl, Joel Maldonado
Sacramento Republic FC (4-2-3-1): Daniel Vitiello; Lee Desmond, Conor Donovan, Dan Casey, Duke Lacroix (Damia Viader, 87’), Luis Felipe, Rodrigo López, Jack Gurr (Maalique Foster, 87’), Zeiko Lewis (Keko Gontán, 64’), Emil Cuello (Luther Achimede, 71’), Douglas Martínez
Subs not used: Carlos Saldana, Ferrety Sousa, Mario Penagos
Stats Summary: ELP | SAC
Shots: 13 | 6
Shots on Goal: 3 | 0
Saves: 0 | 1
Corner Kicks: 8 | 6
Fouls: 12 | 8
Offside: 2 | 3
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SAC – Rodrigo Lopez (Caution), 31’
ELP – Lucho Solignac (Caution), 45’+2
SAC – Luis Felipe (Caution), 72’
ELP – Diego Luna (Caution), 77’
SAC – Douglas Martinez (Ejection), 81’
ELP – Yuma (Caution), 82’
ELP – Dylan Mares (Caution), 89’