EL PASO, TEXAS – August 11, 2026 – El Paso Locomotive FC’s Alex Méndez and Head Coach Junior Gonzalez have been named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 23, while Palermo Ortiz and Rubio Rubín earned spots on the Team of the Week bench. Locomotive picked up back-to-back 1-0 victories over Monterey Bay FC and Oakland Roots SC last week, with each player making an impact in the two wins.
Méndez scored the game-winning goal in Locomotive’s 1-0 victory over Monterey Bay FC on Wednesday night, marking his sixth goal of the season. He followed that performance with four shots, including three on target, in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Oakland Roots SC.
Ortiz anchored Locomotive’s defense throughout the two-match stretch, recording 12 clearances and five interceptions. His defensive performance was especially important in Saturday’s clean-sheet victory over Oakland, where he was named Player of the Match.
Rubín continued his strong run of form by scoring the lone goal in Saturday’s win over Oakland, finding the back of the net just nine minutes into the match. Across the two victories, Rubín created six goal-scoring chances, the most of any Locomotive player, while continuing to lead the team in goal contributions this season.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 23
GK – Luis Zamudio, Charleston Battery
D – Frank Nodarse, Rhode Island FC
D – Joey Akpunonu, Charleston Battery
D – Jordan Scarlett, Hartford Athletic
M – Valentin Noël, New Mexico United
M – Jorge Hernández, San Antonio FC
M – Jamie Webber, FC Tulsa
M – Ousman Jabang, New Mexico United
F – Sebastian Lletget, Monterey Bay FC
F – MD Myers, Tampa Bay Rowdies
F – Alex Méndez, El Paso Locomotive FC
Coach – Junior Gonzalez, El Paso Locomotive FC
Bench – Charlie Lanphier (LV), Arturo Ortiz (ELP), Ben Ofeimu (LV), Blaine Ferri (LEX), Christian Pinzón (LV), JJ Williams (RI), Rubio Rubín (ELP)