EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Locomotive FC (0-1-0, 0 points, West-10) fell 0-1 to Sacramento Republic in its season opener at Southwest University Park on Saturday night.
“We did everything but score the goal,” Head Coach and Technical Director Brian Clarhaut said about the team’s performance. “You saw a Locomotive team that grinds and work rate is impressive. If we can continue that type of intensity and be better in the box, we will win games in this league.”
El Paso played quick and aggressive from the opening whistle, with Locomotive breaking the Republic backline in the first six minutes of play to register their first two chances at goal. Locomotive would display dominance on the pitch in both halves, consistently challenging Sacramento to sit back and defend.
However, the deadlock would break just before the end of the first half in the 42nd minute when Sacramento’s Russell Cicerone tapped in the game’s lone goal from within the six-yard box, assisted by Jack Gurr on the opposite side.
Despite maintaining a majority of the possession and continuous chances on goal, Locomotive was unable to find the back of the net and registers its first loss of 2023.
TEAM NOTES
- Goalkeeper Benny Diaz, defender Bence Pavkovics, defender Marc Navarro and midfielder Denys Kostyshyn all made their Locomotive debuts tonight.
- Tonight’s result was Sacramento’s first win at Southwest University Park. The all-time series record is now 5-2-0 (4-1-0 at home) in favor of Locomotive.
SCORING SUMMARY
- SAC 1 – Russell Cicerone (Jack Gurr) 42′
LINEUPS
ELP – Benny Diaz, Nick Hinds, Yuma, Bence Pavkovics, Marc Navarro (Miles Lyons 66’), Emmanuel Sonupe (Chris Garcia 45’), Eric Calvillo, Liam Rose (Louis Herrera 66’), Denys Kostyshyn (Ander Egiluz 85’), Aaron Gomez, Ricardo Zacarias (Diego Abarca 78’)
Subs Not Used: Eder Borelli, Javier Garcia
SAC – Daniel Vitiello, Shane Weidt, Conor Donovan, Jared Timmer, Damia Viader, Luis Rodrigues, Arnold Lopez (Matt LaGrassa 78’), Jack Gurr, Rodrigo Lopez (Zeiko Lewis 76’), Russell Cicerone (Aldair Sanchez 86’), Juan Herrera (Luther Archimede 76’)
Subs Not Used: Carlos Saldana, Johnny Fenwick, Nick Ross
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
- ELP – Yuma (Yellow Card) 21’
- SAC – Shane Weidt (Yellow Card) 17’, Arnold Lopez (Yellow Card) 75’
MATCH STATS: ELP | SAC
GOALS: 0|1
ASSISTS: 0|1
SHOTS: 12|10
SHOTS ON GOAL: 3|4
SAVES: 3|3
FOULS: 6|16
OFFSIDES: 0|3
CORNER KICKS: 6|3
UP NEXT: Wednesday, March 15 vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Kickoff 7 p.m. MT @ Southwest University Park. Purchase tickets here. Promotions for this match include a free commemorative flag giveaway, available to the first 1,500 fans who enter the stadium!
ON THE HORIZON: Saturday, March 18 vs Detroit City FC. Kickoff 7:30 p.m. MT @ Southwest University Park. Purchase tickets here. Locomotive will host St. Paddy’s on the Pitch, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with all Locomotive fans, as well the first post-match fireworks show of 2023!
ADDITIONAL INFO
The full 2023 match schedule can be found HERE.
All El Paso Locomotive FC Saturday home matches in 2023 will be simulcast on KTSM.com and Estrella TV El Paso 9.2 All USL Championship regular season and playoff games will be available to stream on ESPN+ in 2023.
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 or within the official mobile app.
Fans who would like to secure full season tickets for the 2023 season can lock in their season ticket membership online by clicking HERE, calling (915) 235-GOAL or texting (915) 666-2005. You can also call (915) 235-GOAL for more information on Group Outings and Premium Suites. El Paso Locomotive FC does offer military discounts, which can be purchased HERE.
To check out the full 2023 promotional schedule, click HERE.
In need of gear to rep your Locomotive and El Paso pride year-round? Visit the official El Paso Locomotive FC Team Shop online HERE, in the team’s official mobile app or visit the physical retail store (1 Ballpark Plaza, El Paso, TX 79901) Monday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.