EL PASO, TEXAS – October 24, 2026 – El Paso Locomotive FC suffered a 1-0 defeat to New Mexico United on Saturday night, falling to third place in the Western Conference standings to close out the regular season.
The Locos threatened early, earning a free kick not far outside the box in the opening minute after Beto Avila was fouled. Alex Méndez stepped up to take the set piece, sending his effort just over the crossbar.
Rubio Rubín came close to breaking the deadlock with a point-blank opportunity, but his shot was directed straight at the New Mexico goalkeeper, who kept the match scoreless.
The second half continued much like the first, with El Paso creating opportunities to find the breakthrough but unable to convert its chances into a goal.
Abraham Romero came up with a crucial save in the closing stages to keep New Mexico off the scoreboard and maintain the deadlock.
However, New Mexico found the decisive goal in stoppage time, as Valentin Noel fired into the top corner to secure a 1-0 victory for the visitors.
Locomotive now turns its attention to the postseason, returning to Southwest University Park on Friday, October 30, to host Round One of the 2026 USL Championship Playoffs. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. MT.
ELP 0, NM 1
Southwest University Park
Attendance: 5770
Weather: 67 degrees and rainy
MATCH NOTES
- The last time Locomotive suffered back-to-back defeats was July 11 and July 18, falling 2-0 to New Mexico United before dropping a 1-0 decision to FC Tulsa.
- For the second consecutive year, the Locos will host Round One of the USL Championship Playoffs next Friday at Southwest University Park. El Paso will look to make a deeper postseason run after falling 1-0 to Phoenix Rising FC in last year’s first round.
SCORING SUMMARY
- ELP –
- NM – 90+4’ Valrntin Noel (Gedion Zelalem)
LINEUPS
ELP – (3-4-3) Abraham Romero, Noah Dollenmayer, Palermo Ortiz, Kofi Twumasi, Ricky Ruiz (83’ Nico Cardona), Eric Calvillo, Robert Coronado (77’ Daniel Gomez), Jimmy Farkarlun (45’ Alvaro Quezada), Beto Avila (77’ Zyen Jones), Rubio Rubín, Alex Méndez (90+2’ Carl Sainte)
Subs Not Used: Trace Alphin, Kenneth Hoban, Tony Alfaro
SAC – (4-2-3-1) Kristopher Shakes, Christopher Gloster, Niko Hamalainen, Kipp Keller (87’ Justin Rennicks), Jake LaCava (73’ Maliek Howell), Cullen Wilkerson (73’ Dayonn Harris), Ousman Jabang, Joseph Quiah, Valentin Noel, Charlie Dennis (73’ Gedion Zelalem), Greg Hurst
Subs Not Used: Cristian Nava, Tyler Blackett, Andrew Pannenberg
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
- ELP –
- NM – 1’ Kipp Keller, 90+6’ Valentin Noel
MATCH STATS: ELP | NM
GOALS: 0|1
ASSISTS: 0|1
POSSESSION: 53|47
SHOTS: 17|10
SHOTS ON GOAL: 3|3
SAVES: 2|3
FOULS: 7|16
OFFSIDES: 0|2
CORNERS: 1|3