EL PASO, Texas (April 12, 2024) – El Paso Locomotive FC (11-West, 0-4-1) are back at Southwest University Park on Saturday, April 13 to host Oakland Roots SC (8-West, 1-3-1), with the match set to kick off at 7 p.m. MT on CBS Sports Golazo Network and El Paso-Las Cruces CW. Gates at Southwest University Park will open at 6 p.m. MT.
HOW TO WATCH EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC VS OAKLAND ROOTS SC – SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2024 @ 7 P.M. MT –SOUTHWEST UNIVERSITY PARK
Watch: CBS Sports Golazo Network, Locally on El Paso-Las Cruces CW
Tickets: eplocomotivefc.com/tickets
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
El Paso’s 2-1 win over Oakland in the 2023 regular season finale was also the club’s first in the series. Historically, Oakland has had the advantage across all competitions (1-3-1). Against the Roots at home, Locomotive is 0-2-1 so should El Paso manage to beat Oakland this Saturday, it would be the first time ever that Los Locos beat the Roots at Southwest University Park.
A second consecutive win over a difficult Roots side, especially at home, could be what El Paso needs to snap its current five-game winless streak and spark the turnaround.
EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC
As painful as the loss to New Mexico may have been, finding the back of the net bodes well for the confidence in front of goal for forwards Joaquin Rivas and Amando Moreno. Watching Moreno score his second goal of the season from the penalty spot in front of The Curse at New Mexico was exciting to see, but it was arguably Rivas who stole the show.
The 31-year-old El Salvador had been unavailable for selection due to injury up until the New Mexico match. Subbing into the match in the 78’ for his official Locomotive debut, Rivas showcased his finishing prowess three minutes later by putting himself in a great position to tap in the equalizer. Rivas arrived in El Paso with an impressive goal-scoring reputation, so if he can find that form and stay healthy, Locomotive’s frontline could be shaping up to become much more dangerous starting this weekend.
Additionally, none of what happened last week could have happened without the hustle put in by forward Justin Dhillon, who created both chances last week, assisting the first and drawing the penalty for the second. The 28-year-old currently sits as the club’s lone assister with two under his name (joint-third most across the league) and leads the team in duels contested (65), showing that the forward isn’t afraid to battle it out against opponents. The shift he put in against New Mexico was a showcase of how well he can create opportunities for El Paso and the hope is that he can build off his performance last weekend into Saturday’s match versus Oakland.
OAKLAND ROOTS SC
Oakland Roots SC will arrive with intention to snap a four-game winless streak and get one back on Los Locos who eliminated the NorCal side from 2023 playoff contention.
Oakland is coming off an intense 1-0 loss to its rival Monterey Bay F.C., conceding the goal at home in the 86’. A post-game brawl later ensued, which saw two of Oakland’s key players – captain Neveal Hackshaw and Baboucarr Njie – pick up red cards for violent conduct, which will see them out of action for the Roots’ next three matches, which include El Paso this Saturday, Detroit City FC (April 20) and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (April 27).
ADDITIONAL INFO
Locomotive will celebrate Youth Soccer Night – recognizing recent achievements by its Academy and Club teams – and debut a new laser show in the match against Oakland!
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 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.