EL PASO, Texas (March 23, 2024) – El Paso Locomotive FC hits the road for the first time this season for a matchup against Las Vegas Lights FC on Saturday, March 23, with kick-off scheduled for 6 p.m. MT on ESPN+.
HOW TO WATCH EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC AT LAS VEGAS LIGHTS FC – SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2024 @ 6 P.M. MT – CASHMAN FIELD
Watch: ESPN+
Watch Party: The Union Draft House Canyons (7470 Cimarron Plz Building 18, Suite 100, El Paso, TX 79911)
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
Historically, results have gone strongly in El Paso’s favor against Las Vegas. In seven (7) total matches, El Paso have won five (5) and drawn two (2), with Locomotive winning the last three encounters. Furthermore, when it comes to games at Cashman Field, El Paso have yet to drop any points, posting a perfect 3-0-0 record. Getting three points at Vegas is the main objective and upholding that perfect record would be the cherry on top.
EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC
It hasn’t been the desired start to the season for El Paso, but the match against the Lights presents Locomotive with an opportunity to turn the ship around and pick up a much-needed result. Now in a circumstance almost parallel to last season, El Paso will be hoping to jumpstart its 2024 season once again in the first road game of the year.
Last year, Head Coach and Technical Director Brian Clarhaut’s squad was one of the most feared visiting teams in the league, going 8-5-4 when on the road, which included an eight (8) match undefeated away match streak. Although the squad this year is much different than last season’s, the team has now had four games under its belt (if you include the exhibition against FC Juarez on Wednesday) and with each game, the players gain better understanding on where improvements need to be made.
The fatigue has already been a challenge up to this point and El Paso’s hill has grown steeper for Saturday with the loss of several key pieces out due international duty (Amando Moreno, Jahmali Waite) and injury (Brandan Craig). However, as captain Eric Calvillo put it following the loss to Louisville City FC, the match against Vegas will present other players an opportunity to “step in, prove themselves, take responsibility and show their personality and character.”
LAS VEGAS LIGHTS FC
Similarly to El Paso, Las Vegas hasn’t had the greatest start to its season, falling in both matches against Memphis 901 FC and FC Tulsa. Yet, one cannot deny that there’s a certain aura around Las Vegas that feels much different than years past. Taken over by 6x Major League Baseball All-Star Jose Bautista earlier this year, Las Vegas have undergone a heavy revamp and it’s just a matter of time before things begin clicking for the new-look Lights determined to compete and clinch a first-ever playoff berth.
Las Vegas won’t be without any absences either for Saturday’s match, losing both Riki Alba and Edison Azcona (ex-Locomotive loanee in 2021) to international duty with the Dominican Republic. Both players linked up beautifully last week to score Las Vegas’ lone goal in the match against Tulsa and now the Lights won’t have two of their leading attacking threats up top to lead the charge against El Paso.
PLAYER NOTES
- Locomotive defender Lucas Stauffer returns to face his former club, after spending all of last season with Las Vegas. In 2023, Stauffer finished as Las Vegas’ assist leader (6), chance creation leader (49) and minutes leader (2,938). Additionally, he scored three goals and was third in duels won (157) and tackles won (47).
- Las Vegas’ Fabien Garcia will face off against former teammates Justin Dhillon (San Antonio FC, 2022-23) and Nick Hinds (Austin Bold, 2021).
- Lights defender Emrah Klimenta has shared the field with numerous Locomotive players, including Justin Dhillon (LA Galaxy II, 2018), Eric Calvillo (Reno 1868 FC, 2019), Elijah Martin (San Diego Loyal SC, 2020), and Tumi Moshobane (San Diego Loyal SC, 2020)
- El Paso’s Elijah Martin and Tumi Moshobane shared the pitch for four (4) seasons (2020-23) in San Diego with Lights midfielder Charlie Adams.
- El Paso’s Tony Alfaro reunites with Gaoussou Samaké, with both having spent time together with at D.C. United.
ADDITIONAL INFO
El Paso Locomotive FC single-match tickets for all 2024 regular season matches are on sale now and are available for purchase online at eplocomotivefc.com/tickets. El Paso’s 34-match USL Championship schedule can be found at eplocomotivefc.com/schedule.
For the best prices and priority seating for every Locomotive home match in 2024, become a Season Ticket Member today! Season Ticket Memberships for the 2024 Season are available now and can be secured online at eplocomotivefc.com/seasontickets, calling (915) 235-GOAL or texting (915) 666-2005.