EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Locomotive FC (1-West, 9-3-2, 29 points) is set to host the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Southwest University Park for the first time this Saturday night in a massive East vs West contest, just days after its 2-1 win at home against Las Vegas Lights FC.
HOW TO WATCH EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC VS TAMPA BAY ROWDIES – SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2023 @ 7:30 P.M. MT – SOUTHWEST UNIVERSITY PARK
Stream: ESPN+
Watch: KTSM.com, Estrella TV 9.2
Be sure to follow @eplocomotivefc on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for live updates of the match. Additionally, fans are encouraged to download the team’s official mobile app on the Apple App Store or Google Play for instant access to mobile tickets, team content and match notifications.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Both sides met for the first time in the final game of the 2022 season at Tampa Bay’s Al Lang Stadium. Locomotive had to win to stay in contention for a 2022 playoff spot but, despite a valiant effort, were eliminated following the 3-1 loss. Now in flying form, Locomotive will look to get one back on the Rowdies in a rematch of that 2022 season finale.
EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC (1ST WESTERN CONFERENCE, 9-3-2, 29 PTS)
Quickly turning things around following Wednesday’s victory over Las Vegas, Locomotive now shifts its attention to Saturday night as it looks to defend its 11-game undefeated record against one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams.
Erik McCue and Bence Pavkovics have established a formidable partnership in the backline, combining for 14 clearances against Las Vegas. The former had a standout performance on Wednesday, scoring what turned out to be the game-winning goal, his first for Locomotive after recording his first assist the week prior, and making a crucial goal-line clearance that prevented Las Vegas from equalizing in the first half.
One key for Locomotive will be to score first and to try to get it in the first 45 minutes. Tampa Bay are 0-3-1 when they concede first whereas Locomotive are a perfect 7-0-0 when scoring first, six of those wins coming when Locomotive led at the end of the first half.
Additionally, this Locomotive squad could cement itself once again in the club history books if it manages to pick up a result against the Rowdies. Los Locos currently sit equal with a club best longest undefeated streak in a single regular season (11 games, 2020) and a win or draw would see them set yet another new record.
TAMPA BAY ROWDIES (3RD EASTERN CONFERENCE, 7-4-3, 24 PTS)
Undefeated in its last seven matches with six wins, the Rowdies will be a final tough challenge before Locomotive head into a bye week.
Key players JJ Williams and Conner Antley return to the starting lineup after serving their red card suspensions. Williams has scored six goals in 11 matches whereas Antley has been a cog to the team’s play on the right side of the field, both presenting challenges to the Locomotive backline.
Tampa Bay’s Forrest Lasso will be a player Head Coach and Technical Director Brian Clarhaut will be familiar with. The three-time USL Championship Defender of the Year played under Clarhaut last season at GIF Sundsvall in Sweden.
LO QUE ESTAN DICIENDO
Head Coach and Technical Director Brian Clarhaut on Wednesday about the upcoming challenge of playing a third game in an eight-day stretch.
“[Tampa Bay] have more rest. The next 72 hours [are] about recovery and trying to get us as fresh as possible. They’re on a good run of form. We need to take advantage of being at home and their travel.”
ADDITIONAL INFO
The full 2023 regular season match schedule can be found HERE. All USL Championship regular season and playoff games will be available to stream on ESPN+ in 2023. All Saturday home games will be simulcast on KTSM.com and Estrella TV 9.2 (Cable 1244).
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.