Last Saturday, El Paso Locomotive suffered its first defeat in 10 games against Oakland Roots SC. This upcoming weekend, it has a chance to bounce back and make Oakland a blip on the radar with a pivotal match against San Antonio FC to defend not only an eight game home undefeated streak but the Copa Tejas trophy.
Following an incredible 2021 year, El Paso Locomotive clinched the Copa Tejas at Southwest University Park with a draw against San Antonio FC. It was a hard fought rally in the second half to overcome a two-goal deficit for a 3-2 lead. While a stoppage time stunner from San Antonio resulted in a 3-3 draw that spoiled the mood for the Locos, El Paso would still have the honor of lifting the supporter-ran trophy with the Locomotive fan base at the end of the night.
As San Antonio comes to visit Southwest University Park this Saturday, the tables have flipped. The Alamo team could claim the Copa Tejas trophy from El Paso with a win. Meanwhile, Locomotive needs a win to stay in contention for its title defense as a draw would mathematically eliminate the club from the round-robin Texas tournament.
“I know it means a lot to the fans and the club and the players know that. It would really hurt if they’re lifting [trophies] at our house,” commented Head Coach John Hutchinson. “We know what it means to defend and we know what it means to the club and we are definitely here to get the win not just for the players and bounce back but for everyone involved.”
Indeed there is more at stake to this game than the Copa Tejas. El Paso Locomotive is currently riding an eight-game undefeated streak within the walls of Southwest University Park. Following a difficult 4-0 loss on the road last weekend, the Locos are wanting to prove that first half performance was simply a blip on the radar and they are not reverting back to the opening weeks of the season.
Rather than let the Oakland result get them down, hanging their heads in defeat as it moves forward into their last 12 games of the season, the boys in the Locomotive locker room are pushing forward.
The game provides a unique opportunity to learn. Following a long day of travel back home from the Golden State, Coach Hutchinson sat down with the players and broke down video from the first half of the match in Oakland. As a team, they reviewed video, pointed out where the club’s touted principles broke down and worked on solutions to ensure it does not happen again moving forward.
The upcoming Copa Tejas bout comes at a good time for Locomotive. San Antonio is not only the top team in the Western Conference, but it is vying for the summit of the league-wide standings with Louisville City FC from the Eastern Conference. The Central Texas club will come to El Paso and provide a good challenge for Locomotive. With aggressive players that will look to play a long ball and capitalize on Locomotive mistakes with counter-attacks will be the perfect test for just how well the Locos can learn from their mistakes.
Come Saturday, it will take full team cohesion to put on a good show for El Paso fans and come away with three points for Locomotive to stay in comfortable positioning above the playoff line. For a few players on the team, Saturday could be their first time stepping onto the pitch at Southwest University Park.
In Oakland, Defender Miles Lyons and Midfielder Edison Azcona made their Locomotive debuts as second half substitutions. The two made efforts to change the flow of the game, managing to open Locomotive up on the attack while keeping Oakland out of the net through the second set of 45 minutes. This upcoming Saturday, Locomotive could see the long-awaited debut of Midfielder Liam Rose.
Rose, who was announced as a new signee in May, has been training with Locomotive since he arrived in El Paso in June. However due to administrative issues in securing his visa, Liam has been ineligible to play for El Paso Locomotive FC. The 25-year-old Australian is now eligible and already familiar and acclimated with El Paso Locomotive, making him primed to make a meaningful appearance against San Antonio.
“It’s massive for me,” said Rose with a smile. “I came over about a month and a half ago and expected to play soonish but that didn’t happen so I’ve been working hard acclimatizing which I think was really important. To be able to be in contention to be selected is massive to me so I’m looking forward to it.”
Rose commented he has been to Southwest University Park as a fan since arriving to El Paso. The midfielder who has played his entire career in Australia was blown away by the passion that was on display in the Locomotive fortress. Feeling the atmosphere from the stands has left Rose looking forward to experiencing the El Paso crowd from the pitch rather than the seats.
“I think it will be awesome,” Rose said. “The atmosphere, the fans, just everything. There were good vibes around the ground. [The fans] obviously love their football. So getting to be able to get out there and play is going to be unbelievable and I can’t wait.”
It’s a critical game on Saturday against San Antonio FC. Locomotive will be defending an undefeated streak and a trophy for the fans while debuting new faces and trying to bounce back from a difficult road result. As the season begins drawing to a close as well, three points at Southwest University Park against a top club like San Antonio will leave a statement to the rest of the West that the Locos will not leave a playoff position quietly if at all.
Tickets for Saturday’s match are available online at www.eplocomotivefc.com/tickets or by calling 915-235-GOAL.