EL PASO, TEXAS– October 29, 2026 – For the second consecutive season, El Paso Locomotive FC will host the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the USL Championship Playoffs, welcoming San Antonio FC to Southwest University Park on Friday, October 30. The Locos will look to advance past the opening round for the first time since 2020, having been eliminated in the First Round in each of their last three postseason appearances.
FULL STEAM AHEAD
El Paso Locomotive FC hosts San Antonio FC in Round One of the 2026 USL Championship Playoffs on Friday, October 30. Kickoff at Southwest University Park is set for 7:00 p.m. MT, with the match streaming live on ESPN+.
BY THE NUMBERS (USL Championship)
Record: 15-10-5
Goals: 48 scored, 38 conceded (+10 GD)
Shots: 388 total, 138 on target (35.6%)
Clean Sheets: 7
Fouls: 398 drawn, 396 committed
Discipline: 62 yellow cards, 6 red cards
LAST TIME OUT
USL Championship
El Paso Locomotive FC fell 1-0 to New Mexico United on Saturday night in a matchup that determined the Western Conference’s top spot. The two sides battled through a back-and-forth contest, remaining scoreless into second-half stoppage time. In the final minute of added time, New Mexico’s Valentin Noel found the breakthrough, firing a shot into the upper corner to secure the 1-0 victory.
USL Championship Playoffs
In the 2025 USL Championship Playoffs, El Paso hosted Phoenix Rising FC in the First Round. The Locos were reduced to 10 men in the 73rd minute after Frank Daroma was shown a straight red card. Phoenix capitalized late, scoring the game-winning goal less than 15 minutes later to eliminate El Paso and advance to the Western Conference Semifinals.
LAST TIME OUT VS SAN ANTONIO
The two sides last met on August 15 in San Antonio, where Locomotive secured a 3-0 victory. Alex Méndez opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a long-range strike, then doubled his tally 19 minutes later to record a first-half brace. Jimmy Farkarlun added a third in the 44th minute, sending El Paso into halftime with a 3-0 lead. The Locos maintained their defensive composure throughout the second half to preserve the advantage and secure the shutout.
ALL-TIME SERIES VS SAN ANTONIO
El Paso Locomotive FC holds an all-time record of 5-8-4 against San Antonio FC, including a 2-5-2 record at home. The Locos have won just one of their last five meetings with San Antonio, earning that victory in the most recent matchup between the sides. Friday’s contest marks the first-ever playoff meeting between the two clubs.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
El Paso Locomotive FC has qualified for the USL Championship Playoffs in six of its eight seasons, missing the postseason only in 2022 and 2024. The club’s best postseason finishes came in 2019 and 2020, when it advanced to the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back seasons.
In each of its three most recent playoff appearances, Locomotive has suffered a 1-0 defeat in the First Round. The three losses came against Oakland Roots SC in 2021, Orange County SC in 2023, and Phoenix Rising FC in 2025.
OFFENSIVE OUTPUT
Rubio Rubín led Locomotive in scoring during the regular season, recording 16 goals and 18 across all competitions to finish second in the USL Championship Golden Boot race. Alex Méndez ranked second on the team with nine regular-season goals, followed by Amando Moreno with eight. Locomotive’s assist production was also spread across the squad, with four players recording at least four assists. Eric Calvillo led the group with five assists.