EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Locomotive FC announced Thursday its new partnership agreement with KTSM-9 TV, making KTSM the new official TV broadcast partner for Locomotive in 2023. As the club gets ready to kick off its landmark fifth season in the USL Championship, matches will air on Estrella TV 9.2 and simulcast on KTSM.com.
“Estrella TV and KTSM are excited about our new partnership with El Paso Locomotive,” Vice President and General Manager for KTSM David Candelaria said. “Soccer has been a growing sport in our region, and we’re excited to have live soccer featured on our Estrella TV station in prime time.”
The first televised game will be this weekend’s Home Opener against Sacramento Republic, live from Southwest University Park on Saturday, March 11. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. MT, with coverage on Estrella TV beginning at 7:30 p.m. MT on channel 9.2 over the air and on cable channel 1244.
“This is an incredible opportunity for Locomotive FC to partner with KTSM and Estrella TV to broadcast our home matches,” said Juan Gutierrez, Senior Manager of Video and Digital Production. “KTSM is a trusted leader in borderland sports coverage and our partnership will help bring soccer into more homes in the El Paso/Las Cruces region.”
The 2023 broadcast team will be comprised of beloved members from the local El Paso media scene, consisting of play-by-play host Duke Keith, sideline reporter Rachel Phillips and new addition to the team, color analyst and KTSM Sports Director Colin Deaver.
“I’m honored to be given the opportunity to join the Locomotive FC broadcast team for the 2023 season,” Deaver said. “Having covered the club since its inception in 2019, I hope to bring that knowledge to every match. I’m excited to work with Duke, Rachel and the entire team who have made the broadcasts among the best in the USL Championship.”
El Paso’s match against Sacramento – the first of a new era led by Head Coach and Technical Director Brian Clarhaut – will be the first of three consecutive home matches (Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Wednesday, March 15 and Detroit City FC on Saturday, March 18) to start the 2023 season, the first time this has happened in club history.
El Paso Locomotive FC and Sacramento Republic FC have previously met six times across all competitions. Los Locos lead the series 5-1-0 which includes one postseason win (3-0 in the 2019 Western Conference Semifinals). El Paso are unbeaten at home in all competitions against Sacramento, with Southwest University Park hosting the last time these two met (a 1-0 win in favor of Locomotive).
To celebrate the beginning of El Paso’s landmark fifth season in the USL Championship, Locomotive will open gates at 6 p.m. MT to host its 5th Year Kickoff celebration, which includes a Pre-Match Mariachi Performance by Mariachi Paso Del Norte, a limited-edition poster giveaway and a historical jersey display which showcases every jersey worn by the club over the years.
To purchase tickets for the home match against Sacramento Republic, click HERE.
All tickets for 2023, including Individual Match, Season Tickets and Pick Six Membership are on sale now and are available for purchase online at eplocomotivefc.com/tickets, within the official mobile app, calling (915) 235-GOAL or texting (915) 666-2005.
The full 2023 match schedule can be found HERE. To check out the full 2023 promotional schedule, click HERE.