COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. – August 22, 2026 – El Paso Locomotive FC defeated Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 1-0 on Saturday, moving into a three-way tie for first place in the Western Conference standings with New Mexico United and Orange County SC.
An 85th-minute own goal by Colorado Springs defender Jabari De Coteau provided the difference, while goalkeeper Pedro Cruz recorded five saves and a clean sheet in his first start.
Cruz made three first-half saves to keep the match scoreless, including a stop on Tyreek Magee in the 44th minute. Rubio Rubín and Ricky Ruiz also created chances for Locomotive, but Colorado Springs goalkeeper Christian Herrera turned away their efforts.
After De Coteau’s own goal put El Paso ahead late, Cruz preserved the victory with a stoppage-time save on an Adrien Pérez header.
Locomotive FC returns home for back-to-back matches at Southwest University Park on Wednesday and Saturday.
COS 0, ELP 1
Weidner Field
MATCH NOTES
- With tonight’s win, Locomotive earned its eighth all-time victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and its first in 1,206 days, dating back to a 3-2 win at Weidner Field on May 5, 2023.
- Locomotive FC has won four consecutive matches for the first time since a six-match winning streak from March 11 through April 11, which also included four straight regular-season victories.
- Los Locos have recorded four consecutive shutout victories for just the fourth time in club history, matching streaks from September 19-October 4, 2020; May 12-June 9, 2021; and July 26-August 15, 2025.
- Pedro Cruz recorded five saves against Colorado Springs in his debut between the posts, marking the fourth time a Locomotive goalkeeper has made five or more saves in 2026 and the first since Sebastian Mora-Mora recorded six against Detroit City FC on June 10.
SCORING SUMMARY
- COS – Jabari De Coteau (OWN GOAL) 85’
LINEUPS
COS – (4-2-3-1) Christian Herrera, Aidan Rocha, Garven Metusala, Talen Maples (C), Jabari De Coteau, Frak Daroma, Brennan Creek, Bryce Jamison, Tyreek Magee, Sadam Masereka, Khori Bennett, Adrien Perez, Juan Tejada, Jonas Fjeldberg, Speedy Williams, Steven Echevarria
Subs Not Used: Matt Mahoney, Colin Shutler
EPL– (4-3-3) Pedro Cruz, Ricky Ruiz, Tony Alfaro, Palermo Ortiz, Kofi Twumasi, Eric Calvillo (C), Robert Coronado, Alex Mendez, Amando Moreno, Rubio Rubin, Jimmy Farkarlun, Nicolas Cardona, Noah Dollenmayer, Beto Avila, Zyen Jones, Memo Diaz
Subs Not Used: Danny Gomez, Kenny Hoban, Abraham Romero
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
- COS – Talen Mapels (Yellow) 45+2’; Juan Tejada (Yellow) 60’
- EPL – Alex Mendez (Yellow) 45+2’, Palermo Ortiz (Yellow) 59’
MATCH STATS: COS | ELP
GOALS: 0|1
ASSISTS: 0|0
POSSESSION: 56|44
SHOTS: 14|14
SHOTS ON GOAL: 5|3
SAVES: 3|5
FOULS: 7|12
OFFSIDES: 0|1
CORNERS: 7|3