Match Preview

EL PASO, Texas (October 31, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC begin the 2025 USL Championship Playoffs against Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday, November 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Southwest University Park. The match will be streamed on ESPN+, KVIA.com, the KVIA News App and El Paso-Las Cruces CW.

HOW TO WATCH EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC VS PHOENIX RISING FC – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2025 @ 7:30 P.M. MT – SOUTHWEST UNIVERSITY PARK – EL PASO, TEXAS

Watch: ESPN+, KVIA.com, KVIA News app and El Paso-Las Cruces CW (one hour tape delay for CW)
Tickets: eplocomotivefc.com/tickets | Giveaway: Blue Playoff Shirt (1500 fans)

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.

KEY STORYLINES

El Paso Locomotive FC fell 5-2 in their regular season finale against San Antonio FC at Toyota Field on Saturday night but clinched a home playoff match with Phoenix Rising FC’s draw.

Los Locos started quickly with Amando Moreno flicking home a cross from Eric Calvillo seven minutes in. The Locomotive defense was under attack after that, however, with the hosts finding the back of the net three times before the break. San Antonio stretched their lead to three in the 53rd minute, but Christian Sorto pulled one back less than a minute later for El Paso. Locomotive finished the match controlling 63 percent of possession but could not overcome the early deficit.

The winner of the opening round playoff match between El Paso and Phoenix will take on the winner between FC Tulsa and Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the Western Conference Semifinals. Locomotive would travel to Tulsa and host Colorado Springs if they advance.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

F Amando Moreno: Moreno reached the 50 regular season goal milestone in USL Championship play last Saturday against San Antonio. That goal gave him ten in league play in 2025, tied for his most in USL. His combination play with Gabi Torres on the left side of the Locomotive attack will be key to the club’s success in the postseason.

M Frank Daroma: Daroma has been the midfield anchor for Los Locos this season as a primary ball distributor. He leads the USL Championship in passing accuracy overall (92.94%) and in the attacking half (89.98%). His ability to turn defense into offense has been a crucial aspect to Los Locos’ overall play this season.

D Kofi Twumasi: Locomotive might not be hosting a home playoff match this weekend if not for a spectacular goal line clearance from Twumasi at Lexington on October 11. An unsung hero for Los Locos this season, Twumasi is preparing to start his 18^th consecutive match at center back for Locomotive after shuffling in and out of the lineup early in the season.

OPPONENT INFO: Phoenix Rising FC

Los Locos trail the all-time series with Phoenix Rising FC, 2-5-6. This is the second ever playoff meeting between these clubs with the highest profile match coming in the 2020 Western Conference Final in Phoenix where 120 minutes wasn’t enough to decide things. The hosts would ultimately win the penalty shootout 4-2 and advance to the USL Championship Final which would not be contested.

Phoenix Rising FC enter the playoffs as the fifth seed in the Western Conference. Locomotive earned two draws against Phoenix this season with both featuring three-goal comebacks for the road team. Phoenix finished the regular season strong going unbeaten in ten of their final 11 matches and have some postseason pedigree as the 2023 champions. Hope Avayevu finished second in the league in assists (10) while Charlie Dennis and Ihsan Sacko each scored seven goals in league play.

KEY LOCOMOTIVE STATISTICS

– Los Locos have won the most fouls (546) in the USL Championship this season.

– Ricky Ruiz ranks second in the league in interceptions (41).

– The 2025 Locomotive squad have set the single season club scoring record across all competitions with 62 goals (57-2022).

RECENT LOCOMOTIVE QUOTES

HC Wilmer Cabrera on turnaround from 2024 to 2025:

“We were able to change the mentality in the locker room because at the end of the day, if we can’t get results, we can’t make the playoffs. We were able to get enough points to secure the fourth place in the Western Conference and play the first game of the playoffs here at home which is a success for this franchise after last season. That’s a good revamp for the club,for the fans who support us constantly and for us to prove that we are able to do the right things when get going from the beginning with the right players.”

Cabrera on team mentality entering postseason:

“We need to see solidness in the back.  That’s critical.  You can’t make mistakes in the playoffs.  You have to force the other team to be better than you.  Our hope is that we’re going to send the players with all the energy and a winning mentality so that they can match up and take control of the momentum in the game which is important for us in order for us to win.”

Memo Diaz on hosting playoff match in El Paso:

“It means everything to us. The feeling of playing under the lights in front of our home fans is unmatched. At the same time, we know that this is just the beginning. It’s really a different mindset that we have to go into. Everything that happened in the past, no matter how great our season was, is in the past.  It doesn’t really matter anymore because once you step into playoffs, it’s a win or go home situation. It doesn’t matter what seed you are, who’s hosting and who’s playing. Anything can happen, and one little mistake can cost you the whole season.”

Gabi Torres on team focus heading into postseason:

“We’ve been trying to shift to a low-risk mentality. We just need to keep fighting for everything on the field. If we can build up from the back, we’re going to find ways to get the ball forward and create chances. We need to stay together and make sure the concentration level is as high as possible because any mistake can be your last moment for the season.”

EL PASO, Texas (October 24, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC finish off the regular season with a Copa Tejas clash against San Antonio FC at Toyota Field on Saturday, October 25 at 6:30 p.m. MT. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.

HOW TO WATCH EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC VS SAN ANTONIO FC – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2025 @ 6:30 P.M. MT – TOYOTA FIELD – SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

Watch: ESPN+

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.

KEY STORYLINES

El Paso Locomotive FC settled for a 1-1 draw against first-place FC Tulsa on Saturday night at Southwest University Park meaning that their quest to host a playoff match will extend to this week.

Gabi Torres was the man on the scoresheet for Los Locos, his fourth of the season, off a set piece 24 minutes in. Tulsa created some threatening chances from set pieces of their own, but Jahmali Waite helped the hosts keep the advantage heading to the break. Things got chippy in the second half with both teams getting physical and after each other on both sides of the field. In the end, it was a well-taken free kick from the visitors that rescued them a point and set the stakes for the final week of the regular season.

PLAYOFF SCENARIOS

El Paso have booked their ticket to the 2025 USL Championship Playoffs and are looking to host their first playoff match since 2021. Locomotive currently are the four seed in the Western Conference with the lowest they can fall being five. Los Locos can secure a home playoff match this weekend in the following scenarios:

• Win
• Draw
• Loss AND Phoenix draw/loss

Below are the possible playoff opponents for Locomotive if they were to host a playoff match at Southwest University Park:

	FIVE SEED IF…
Phoenix	Win/draw
Colorado Springs	Win AND Phoenix loss
San Antonio	Win AND Phoenix loss AND COS draw/loss
Lexington	Win AND Phoenix loss AND COS draw/loss AND SA draw/loss
Orange County	Win AND Phoenix loss AND COS draw/loss AND SA draw/loss AND LEX draw/loss

If Los Locos fail to clinch a home playoff match this weekend, they will travel west to Phoenix next Saturday. The winner of any Locomotive first round playoff matchup would play the winner between FC Tulsa or the eight seed in the West.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

F Amando Moreno: Perhaps the most stable attacking option for Locomotive this season, Moreno has tallied nine goals and four assists in league play, good for second on the team in goal contributions behind Andy Cabrera (17) who has missed the last two matches due to injury. As the playoffs approach, his number will be called on to serve as the go-to man up top to create scoring chances not just for himself but for others.

M Frank Daroma: Daroma has been the midfield anchor for Los Locos this season as a primary ball distributor. He leads the USL Championship in passing accuracy overall (92.98%) and in the attacking half (90.28%). His presence will be key if Locomotive are to make a deep playoff run.

D Kofi Twumasi: Locomotive might not be in position to secure home playoff match this weekend if not for a spectacular goal line clearance from Twumasi at Lexington two weeks ago. An unsung hero for Los Locos this season, Twumasi is preparing to start his 17^th consecutive match at center back for Locomotive after shuffling in and out of the lineup early in the season.

OPPONENT INFO: San Antonio FC

San Antonio FC leads the all-time series with El Paso, 4-6-4, but Los Locos are the current Copa Tejas holders. Last season, Locomotive left the Alamo City with a 1-0 victory in Wilmer Cabrera’s third match at the helm. Brandan Craig turned in his lone goal for El Paso in the 65th minute to earn all three points on the road.

San Antonio sit in sixth place in the Western Conference and have yet to secure a playoff spot. A point would greatly help their chances as they can climb as high as five but also fall out completely with a loss and other league results. San Antonio are scoreless in their last five contests, the last four all on the road, but return home with much at stake. They will call on Jorge Hernandez to get back to his scoring ways while also looking to provide defensive support for Richard Sanchez in goal.

KEY LOCOMOTIVE STATISTICS

– Los Locos have won the most fouls (526) in the USL Championship this season.

– Ricky Ruiz ranks second in the league in interceptions (40).

– The 2025 Locomotive squad have set the single season club scoring record across all competitions with 60 goals (57-2022).

RECENT LOCOMOTIVE QUOTES

HC Wilmer Cabrera on five-match unbeaten streak:

“We’ve continued pushing and try to make sure that we are getting stronger every game. The results are a reflection ofof what we’ve been doing in October in comparison with September. It’s totally different. We have a very tough rival coming up who needs to win to secure their playoff spot, and we need to win to secure fourth place to play at home the first game of the playoffs. It’s gonna be a tough one, but we are well prepared playing well again, so we’re going to continue pushing for that.”

Cabrera on defensive improvements over course of season:

“It’s the improvement and the progression that you want to see.  When you are in a progression, it shows that the players are improving, understanding the concepts and fixing the problems. Right now, I see that the players feel more confident and are ready to face any team. We can fight against any team at any place.”

Memo Diaz on potential to host playoff match:

“It gives us some extra motivation for sure. The goal was to make playoffs, but now that we have a chance to host, it’s a bit of an extra push. Being able to bring playoff soccer back to El Paso after a bit of an absence would be nice and rewarding for us down the stretch.”

Gabi Torres on team focus heading into postseason:

“We’ve been trying to shift to a low-risk mentality. We just need to keep fighting for everything on the field. If we can build up from the back, we’re going to find ways to get the ball forward and create chances. We need to stay together and make sure the concentration level is as high as possible because from here to November, every match is a playoff match, and we still need results.”

EL PASO, Texas (October 17, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC return to Southwest University Park for their final home match of the regular season against first-place FC Tulsa on Saturday, October 18 at 7 p.m. MT. The match will be streamed on ESPN+, KVIA.com and the KVIA News App.

HOW TO WATCH EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC VS FC TULSA – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2025 @ 7:00 P.M. MT – SOUTHWEST UNIVERSITY PARK – EL PASO, TEXAS

Watch: ESPN+, KVIA.com and the KVIA News app
Tickets: eplocomotivefc.com/tickets

Giveaway: Locomotive Keychain Bluetooth Speaker (1500 fans)

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.

KEY STORYLINES

Two first-half goals were the difference for El Paso Locomotive FC who held on for an important 2-1 victory over Lexington SC on Saturday night at Lexington SC Stadium as the postseason comes into clearer vision.

Locomotive wasted no time offensively as Memo Diaz headed home an early corner to put Los Locos on top just nine minutes in. Despite the hosts controlling more possession, El Paso created more chances including Beto Avila’s finish in the 31st minute which doubled their lead before the break. Lexington came out hot to start the second half and pulled one back in the 55th minute. Locomotive had to hold on through 15 minutes of stoppage time, but a vital goal-line clearance from Kofi Twumasi and huge save from Sebastian Mora-Mora earned the visitors all three points.

Sebastian Mora-Mora earned a selection to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 32 after his six-save performance at Lexington. The six saves for Mora-Mora were tied for his most on the season (Monterey Bay – June 21). His last one in the 93^rd minute protected the one-goal lead for Los Locos and helped them hang on and move into fourth place in the Western Conference.

PLAYOFF SCENARIOS

Los Locos can clinch a playoff spot this weekend with the following:

• Win/draw against FC Tulsa OR
• Draw/loss by Lexington SC, Orange County SC or Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC OR
• Loss by Phoenix

El Paso are currently in fourth place in the Western Conference standings, three points ahead of San Antonio FC. Locomotive could clinch a home playoff match this weekend with the following:

• Win against FC Tulsa AND
• Draw/loss by San Antonio

If the gap between El Paso and San Antonio is three points or less entering the final weekend, things would come down to the Copa Tejas clash in the Alamo City.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

F Beto Avila: After a bit of a rough patch offensively, Avila got back on track Saturday night with his fourth goal in league play and eighth across all competitions to go along with six assists. His resurgence in the attack will be key to Locomotive’s efforts to make a deep playoff run.

M Gabi Torres: Torres has become an integral part of the Locomotive attack behind Moreno in the formation. He has tallied seven assists in league play which is tied for the club single season mark. When Torres records a goal or assist, Los Locos are undefeated at 6-0-2 which showcases his importance to Los Locos this season.

D Kofi Twumasi: Locomotive would have likely dropped points against Lexington last weekend if not for a spectacular goal line clearance from Twumasi in the second half. An unsung hero for Los Locos this season, Twumasi is preparing to start his 16^th consecutive match at center back for Locomotive after shuffling in and out of the lineup early in the season.

OPPONENT INFO: FC Tulsa

El Paso holds the all-time series edge over FC Tulsa, 4-1-4. Los Locos earned a draw on the road back on May 10 with Andy Cabrera scoring the lone goal for Locomotive in the 1-1 result.

Tulsa has wrapped up the one seed in the Western Conference ensuring that the road to the final runs through Oklahoma. Taylor Calheira anchors a potent attacking line with 13 goals on the year while Johan Penaranda has recorded six clean sheets in goal. Los Locos will have their work cut out for them in their home regular season finale.

KEY LOCOMOTIVE STATISTICS

– Frank Daroma leads the Championship in passing accuracy (min. 200 passes) at 93.06% and passing accuracy in the opposing half at 90.32%.

– Los Locos have won the most fouls (506) and faced the second fewest shots (256) in the USL Championship this season.

– With two goals last Saturday, the 2025 Locomotive squad set the single season club scoring record across all competitions with 59 goals (57-2022).

RECENT LOCOMOTIVE QUOTES

HC Wilmer Cabrera on road victory over Lexington SC:

“It was really important for us. I think the team had a good performance in all aspects individually and collectively. We went with the mentality to win that game in a difficult environment, and we were able to. We know that we have to be prepared for anything down the stretch.”

Cabrera on defensive improvements over course of season:

“It’s the improvement and the progression that you want to see.  When you are in a progression, it shows that the players are improving, understanding the concepts and fixing the problems. Right now, I see that the players feel more confident and are ready to face any team. We can fight against any team at any place.”

Memo Diaz on potential to host playoff match:

“It gives us some extra motivation for sure. The goal was to make playoffs, but now that we have a chance to host, it’s a bit of an extra push. Being able to bring playoff soccer back to El Paso after a bit of an absence would be nice and rewarding for us down the stretch.”

Gabi Torres on team focus heading into postseason:

“We’ve been trying to shift to a less-risk mentality. We just need to keep fighting for everything on the field. If we can build up from the back, we’re going to find ways to get the ball forward and create chances. We need to stay together and make sure the concentration level is as high as possible because from here to November, every match is a playoff match, and we still need results.”

EL PASO, Texas (October 10, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC continue their postseason push as they travel to face Lexington SC on Saturday, October 11 at 5 p.m. MT at Lexington Sporting Club Stadium. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.

HOW TO WATCH EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC VS LEXINGTON SC – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2025 @ 5:00 P.M. MT – LEXINGTON SC STADIUM – LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY

Watch: ESPN+

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.

KEY STORYLINES

El Paso Locomotive FC picked up a key point on the road against Orange County SC on Saturday night in a 0-0 draw at Championship Soccer Stadium.

Both teams created chances in the first half, but only two from Locomotive were on target. Despite controlling 52 percent of possession, El Paso couldn’t quite breakthrough in the final third early on. Locomotive had a couple more scoring opportunities in the second half from Amando Moreno and Kofi Twumasi, but they could not find the back of the net. Sebastian Mora-Mora only faced one shot on target as he and back line secured El Paso’s sixth shutout in league play this season.

Amando Moreno and Eric Calvillo were both selected to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 31 after a four-point week for Los Locos including a 3-1 win over Oakland Roots on Wednesday afternoon at Southwest University Park. Moreno secured his second brace of the season while Calvillo tallied a goal and an assist.

PLAYOFF SCENARIOS

Los Locos can clinch a playoff spot this weekend with a win over Lexington and a Phoenix loss against North Carolina.

El Paso are currently tied on points with San Antonio who is in fourth place. San Antonio has a match in hand, however, and currently holds the head-to-head tiebreaker against Locomotive.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

F Amando Moreno: Locomotive forwards failed to score in the month of September, but Moreno started October with a bang with his second brace of the season. He currently sits at nine goals and four assists, both good for second for El Paso this season. His play on the left wing with Gabi Torres playing behind him in the midfield will be crucial for Los Locos to achieve their postseason aspirations.

M Gabi Torres: Torres has become an integral part of the Locomotive attack behind Moreno in the formation. He has tallied seven assists in league play which is tied for the club single season mark. When Torres records a goal or assist, Los Locos are undefeated at 6-0-2 which showcases his importance to Los Locos this season.

D Kofi Twumasi: An unsung hero for Locomotive in the second half of the season, Twumasi is preparing to start his 15^th consecutive match at center back for Locomotive after shuffling in and out of the lineup early in the season. He has the team lead for blocked shots (10) and sits third in clearances (62).

OPPONENT INFO: Lexington SC

El Paso won the only meeting between the two clubs back on April 5 at Southwest University Park. Gabi Torres had two first-half assists, one to Palermo Ortiz and the other to Andy Cabrera, in the 2-1 victory for Los Locos.

Lexington has lost their last two matches after a stretch where they won five of seven. They currently sit in sixth place in the Western Conference just two points behind Locomotive. Terry Boss leads a three-headed Lexington attack featuring Forster Ajago, Marcus Epps and Cory Burke that El Paso will have to account for on the road this Saturday.

KEY LOCOMOTIVE STATISTICS

– Frank Daroma leads the Championship in passing accuracy (min. 200 passes) at 93.06% and passing accuracy in the opposing half at 90.32%.

– Los Locos have won the most fouls (486) and faced the fewest shots (240) in the USL Championship this season.

RECENT LOCOMOTIVE QUOTES

HC Wilmer Cabrera on strong start to October:

“It has been really critical for us.  If we want to make the playoffs this season, we need to get enough points to make sure that we are competitive and keep moving in up in the Western Conference.  That’s been the goal since the beginning of the season.  There’s still three more games and nine points on the table for everyone, so we just have to continue pushing.”

Cabrera on improvements from early season to now:

“We have been dominating games in possession this season, but we were taking too many risks recently. We decided that we needed to take a little bit less risk eespecially in the back, and I think it is paying off. We have to carry that into the rest of October. These are playoff matches for us, but we’re motivated with the result we got today. We can fight against any team at any place.”

Amando Moreno on fast start against Oakland:

“Starting off with a goal got our team up and ready to go quickly. Towards the beginning of the season, that’s kind of how we started most games, and then with these last four or five matches, we’ve just been unlucky with a lack of concentration. It’s been tough for us, but we really didn’t try to do anything different. We just needed to lock in and keep grinding down the stretch.”

Gabi Torres on team focus heading into postseason:

“We’ve been trying to shift to a less-risk mentality. We just need to keep fighting for everything on the field. If we can build up from the back, we’re going to find ways to get the ball forward and create the chances like we did today. We need to stay together and make sure the concentration level is as high as possible because from here to November, every match is a playoff match, and we still need results.”

EL PASO, Texas (October 3, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC heads out west to face Orange County SC on Saturday, October 4 at 8 p.m. MT at Championship Soccer Stadium. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.

HOW TO WATCH EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC VS ORANGE COUNTY SC – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2025 @ 8:00 P.M. MT – CHAMPIONSHIP SOCCER STADIUM – IRVINE, CALIFORNIA

Watch: ESPN+

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.

KEY STORYLINES

After a slow September, El Paso Locomotive FC hit the ground running on Wednesday afternoon with two goals in the opening five minutes en route to a 3-1 victory over Oakland Roots SC at Southwest University Park.

Amando Moreno tapped home a cross from Gabi Torres just 43 seconds into the match which was the fastest goal of the year for Locomotive and the second fastest in the USL Championship this season. Eric Calvillo also got on the scoresheet early to double the lead four minutes later. Moreno then tacked on his second goal in the 72nd minute to seal the deal and pick up a crucial three points to start the final month of the regular season.

Calvillo was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 30. As the club shifted to a midfield diamond against Rhode Island FC, he found success on the left side creating five chances including his first assist of the season on a set piece which found the head of Diaz to tie the match before halftime. He completed 29 of 34 passes while winning four duels and two fouls.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

F Amando Moreno: Locomotive forwards failed to score in the month of September, but Moreno started October with a bang with his second brace of the season. He currently sits at nine goals and four assists, both good for second for El Paso this season. His play on the left wing with Gabi Torres playing behind him in the midfield will be crucial for Los Locos to achieve their postseason aspirations.

M Gabi Torres: Torres has become an integral part of the Locomotive attack behind Moreno in the formation. He has tallied seven assists in league play which is tied for the club single season mark. When Torres records a goal or assist, Los Locos are undefeated at 6-0-2, so his presence will need to be felt down the stretch for El Paso to reach their postseason goals.

D Memo Diaz: In his return to El Paso, Diaz has done well the last two months in place of Alvaro Quezada at right back. He has been more involved in the attack recently including his first career goal for Locomotive last Friday. Him and Ricky Ruiz have morphed into true wing backs and will be called on to push forward in the coming matches.

OPPONENT INFO: Orange County SC

Things are all squared up between these two sides at 4-4-4 with the most prominent match between these two coming in the 2023 USL Championship Playoffs. Last season, Locomotive secured a 1-0 victory in southern California with a penalty from Eric Calvillo, the former Orange County man, serving as the difference in the match.

Orange County sit on the outside looking in of the Western Conference playoff picture in ninth place. The club is winless in their last seven matches, however, and has allowed two or more goals in five of them. Ethan Zubak (11 goals) and Christopher Hegardt (4 assists) will look to change that on Saturday night.

KEY LOCOMOTIVE STATISTICS

– Frank Daroma leads the Championship in passing accuracy (min. 150 passes) at 92.97% and passing accuracy in the opposing half at 90.04%.

– Los Locos have won the most fouls (471) and faced the fewest shots (229) in the USL Championship this season.

RECENT LOCOMOTIVE QUOTES

HC Wilmer Cabrera on getting back on track against Oakland:

“I’m really happy for our guys because we’ve been having different outcomes at home as of late. We’ve been conceding early and having to chase the game, but today was totally the opposite. We got two in the first five minutes, and that totally changes the game not only for us but for them. We needed these three points at home, and now, we’re still in the fight for playoffs.”

Cabrera on improvements on Wednesday from September:

“We have been dominating games in possession this season, but we were taking too many risks recently. We decided that we needed to take a little bit less risk eespecially in the back, and I think it paid off today. We have to carry that into the rest of October. These are playoff matches for us, but we’re motivated with the result we got today. We can fight against any team at any place.”

Amando Moreno on fast start against Oakland:

“Starting off with a goal got our team up and ready to go quickly. Towards the beginning of the season, that’s kind of how we started most games, and then with these last four or five matches, we’ve just been unlucky with a lack of concentration. It’s been tough for us, but we really didn’t try to do anything different. We just needed to lock in and keep grinding down the stretch.”

Gabi Torres on team focus heading into October:

“We’ve been trying to shift to a less-risk mentality. We just need to keep fighting for everything on the field. If we can build up from the back, we’re going to find ways to get the ball forward and create the chances like we did today. We need to stay together and make sure the concentration level is as high as possible because from here to November, every match is a playoff match, and we still need results.”

EL PASO, Texas (September 30, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC concludes their three-match homestand against Oakland Roots SC on Wednesday, October 1 at 12 p.m. MT at Southwest University Park. The match will be streamed on ESPN+, KVIA.com and the KVIA News App.

HOW TO WATCH EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC VS OAKLAND ROOTS SC – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2025 @ 12:00 P.M. MT – SOUTHWEST UNIVERSITY PARK – EL PASO, TEXAS

Watch: ESPN+, KVIA.com and the KVIA News app
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.

KEY STORYLINES

El Paso Locomotive FC scored not one but two equalizers on the night to record a 2-2 draw against Rhode Island FC on Friday night at Southwest University Park. Los Locos found themselves in an early hole for the fifth straight match as a miscue from Jahmali Waite put the visitors up 1-0. El Paso would equalize just before half, however, as Eric Calvillo found the head of Memo Diaz to even things up before the break.

Both teams traded action in a back and forth second half with cross bar and post hits galore. Rhode Island found their second goal of the match in the 61st minute, but a wild back pass tied the match at two apiece just 13 minutes later. Locomotive pushed for a match winner but would ultimately settle for a point to snap their recent skid.

Calvillo was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 30. As the club shifted to a midfield diamond, he found success on the left side creating five chances including his first assist of the season on a set piece which found the head of Diaz to tie the match before halftime. He completed 29 of 34 passes while winning four duels and two fouls.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

F Andy Cabrera: After slowly working back from injury, Locomotive’s leading scorer has started the last two matches and was able to nearly play the full 90 minutes last Friday. His resurgence will be key for Los Locos to snap their current skid and get back to their goalscoring ways.

M Gabi Torres: Torres has become an integral part of the Locomotive attack whether it be at the top of the midfield diamond like we saw last weekend or on the left side creating with Amando Moreno. When Torres records a goal or assist, Los Locos are undefeated at 5-0-2, so his presence will need to be felt down the stretch for El Paso to reach their postseason goals.

D Memo Diaz: In his return to El Paso, Diaz has done well the last two months in place of Alvaro Quezada at right back. He has been involved in the attack including his first career goal for Locomotive last Friday. Now, he gets set to face his former club where he left as the all-time appearances leader.

OPPONENT INFO: Oakland Roots SC

El Paso trails the all-time series with Oakland, 1-5-2, with the most prominent match between these two coming in the 2021 USL Championship Playoffs. These two sides played to a scoreless draw in Oakland back on June 7.

Oakland’s offense has been on a tear as of late despite the defense lacking behind as of later. Peter Wilson has established himself as one of the elite offensive weapons in the Championship while Kendall McIntosh has a knack for the spectacular save in goal. How Locomotive contain the other scoring options for the Roots could define how this match goes on Wednesday.

KEY LOCOMOTIVE STATISTICS

– Frank Daroma leads the Championship in passing accuracy (min. 100 passes) at 92.99% and passing accuracy in the opposing half at 90.09%.

– Los Locos have won the most fouls (462) and faced the fewest shots (219) in the USL Championship this season.

RECENT LOCOMOTIVE QUOTES

HC Wilmer Cabrera on fighting back against Rhode Island:

“It was important to score those two goals. That was critical for us because we didn’t do that in the last two games, and it was something that we were missing.  At home, we needed to come back and get those equalizers. I think it’s gonna give us motivation to continue and move forward in October.”

Cabrera on improvements needed in attack to snap skid:

“This is a mental game.  The mental aspect is the most important above all. That’s why the players need to build confidence in practice and then translate that to the field during the game. What we need to do is to stop the losing streak. Despite all the losing, we’re still in the playoffs, so it’s going to be about being mentally stronger to do the right things and make the difference.”

Memo Diaz on result against Rhode Island:

“It was a crazy own goal that we got, but we need some luck on our side.  We usually haven’t gotten that kind of luck.  We’ve gotten red cards and little mistakes that haven’t gone our way, but it was a fun match, and we were able to fight back.  We just need to be able to start on top for some of these games especially in the playoffs where things get tougher.”

Gabi Torres on how team needs to play down the stretch:

“I believe we are really strong when we play together. We need everybody down the stretch. When we show fight on the field, it’s really difficult to play against us. Now, with five matches left in the regular season, we need to stay humble and show more consistency to get the results we need in a tough Western Conference.”

EL PASO, Texas (September 25, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC continue their three-match homestand against Rhode Island FC on Friday, September 26 at 7 p.m. MT at Southwest University Park. The match will be streamed on ESPN+, KVIA.com and the KVIA News App.

HOW TO WATCH EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC VS RHODE ISLAND FC – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 @ 7:00 P.M. MT – SOUTHWEST UNIVERSITY PARK – EL PASO, TEXAS

Watch: ESPN+, KVIA.com and the KVIA News app
Tickets: eplocomotivefc.com/tickets

Ticket Add-On: Collegiate Sweatshirt (250)

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.

KEY STORYLINES

El Paso Locomotive FC dropped points on Saturday night with a 2-0 defeat against Charleston Battery at Southwest University Park.

The hosts trailed early after allowing a penalty five minutes into the match. Three Jahmali Waite saves kept the match within reach as Locomotive attempted to find some footing in the opening half.

Los Locos created more action at the other end in the second half but still could not find the back of the net. Another goal from the visitors doubled the lead and granted them the full three points.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

F Andy Cabrera: After slowly working back from injury, Locomotive’s leading scorer managed his first start since August 9 and was able to go for 74 minutes. He recorded a team-high four shots and made an impact on the right side of the attack despite not finding the back of the net. His resurgence will be key for Los Locos to snap their current skid and get back to their goalscoring ways.

M Frank Daroma: One of the biggest storylines for Locomotive this season has been the addition of Daroma in the midfield. The current Championship leader in passing accuracy can be found all over the field and has been a key factor in turning defense to offense for Los Locos. Success down the stretch for El Paso will rely on him continuing his stellar 2025 campaign.

D Kofi Twumasi: Twumasi is preparing to start his 12^th consecutive match at center back for Locomotive after shuffling in and out of the lineup early in the season. He has the team lead for most blocked shots (8) and sits third in clearances (51).

OPPONENT INFO: Rhode Island FC

Rhode Island won the only meeting ever between these two sides last season. This is the first match between the clubs at Southwest University Park. Rhode Island are the defending Eastern Conference champions after their run to the final as the fifth seed.

The visitors have turned things around as of late with seven shutouts in their last nine matches across all competitions. Their strong defense is coupled with the lowest scoring offense in the league, though, as they look to get J.J. Williams and Maximiliano Rodriguez going as the postseason nears. They are currently holding onto the final playoff position in the Eastern Conference with five matches remaining.

KEY LOCOMOTIVE STATISTICS

– Frank Daroma leads the Championship in passing accuracy (min. 150 passes) at 92.78% and passing accuracy in the opposing half at 89.85%.

– Los Locos have won the most fouls (442) and faced the fewest shots (208) in the USL Championship this season.

RECENT LOCOMOTIVE QUOTES

HC Wilmer Cabrera on pressure given tight West table:

“There is pressure and has to be because if you win, you maintain your position. If you lose, you go backsix or seven positions in the Western Conference. It’s a lot of pressure, but it’s a lot of pressure for all of us. I think it’s just making us feel that the playoffs are getting closer and that each game is really important. Each point counts and is very valuable.”

Cabrera on improvements needed in attack to snap skid:

“This is a mental game.  The mental aspect is the most important above all. That’s why the players need to build confidence in practice and then translate that to the field during the game. What we need to do is to stop the losing streak. Despite all the losing, we’re still in the playoffs, so it’s going to be about being mentally stronger to do the right things and make the difference.”

Beto Avila on team mentality moving forward:

“From now on, every minute of every match is going to get tougher. We’re getting close to the playoffs, and everybody is very close to each other. We are in a playoff mentality. Everyone is going to be fighting, and we want our first game to be at home.”

Gabi Torres on how team needs to play down the stretch:

“I believe we are really strong when we play together. We need everybody down the stretch. When we show fight on the field, it’s really difficult to play against us. Now, with six matches left in the regular season, we need to stay humble and show more consistency to get the results we need in a tough Western Conference.”

EL PASO, Texas (September 19, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC begin a three-match homestand against Charleston Battery on Saturday, September 20 at 7 p.m. MT at Southwest University Park. The match will be streamed on ESPN+, KVIA.com and the KVIA News App.

Locomotive match previews are presented by Speaking Rock.

HOW TO WATCH EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC VS CHARLESTON BATTERY – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2025 @ 7:00 P.M. MT – SOUTHWEST UNIVERSITY PARK – EL PASO, TEXAS

Watch: ESPN+, KVIA.com and the KVIA News app
Tickets: eplocomotivefc.com/tickets | Giveaway: Noche de Locos Jersey (1500 fans) | Ticket Add-On: Jersey Bundle – Noche de Locos/Talavera (250)

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.

KEY STORYLINES

El Paso Locomotive FC fell to North Carolina FC 1-0 on the road last Friday night at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.

The visitors were down a man before they could blink as Wahab Ackwei was sent off in the 14th minute after a shoulder challenge outside the box. Despite the man disadvantage, El Paso controlled more possession in the first half but were undone in the final minute of eight in stoppage time which put them down 1-0 at the break.

Locomotive created several scoring chances in the second half including a header that hit the crossbar from Beto Avila. Jahmali Waite also made some big saves to keep the match close, but ultimately, Los Locos were unable to find an equalizer with 10 men.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

F Andy Cabrera: Locomotive fans were excited to see Cabrera back in the squad this past weekend. After dealing with a hamstring injury suffered on August 9, he has come off the bench the past two weeks. The leading goalscorer for Los Locos is expected to ease back into things these next few matches but will be an important piece with playoffs just around the corner.

M Frank Daroma: One of the biggest storylines for Locomotive this season has been the addition of Daroma in the midfield. The current Championship leader in passing accuracy can be found all over the field and has been a key factor in turning defense to offense for Los Locos. Success down the stretch for El Paso will rely on him continuing his stellar 2025 campaign.

G Jahmali Waite: Waite returned last week from starting two matches with the Jamaican national team in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying. He recorded two shutouts and five saves to cement his country’s spot atop Group B and push them closer to a World Cup bid next summer. Waite has allowed just three goals in his previous six starts for Locomotive as he hopes to build on this success in the final stretch of the regular season.

OPPONENT INFO: Charleston Battery

Los Locos have won both of their prior meeting with Charleston Battery. Last season, in head coach Wilmer Cabrera’s debut, Amando Moreno’s brace was enough for Locomotive to get the road victory including a match winner in the 92nd minute.

Charleston Battery are enjoying a spectacular 2025 campaign as the highest goalscorers in the Championship with the second best record in the league. The attacking duo of Cal Jennings and MD Myers has wreaked havoc on opposing defenses combining for 26 goals on the year. That coupled with Juan Torres in the midfield, the league leader in assists (9), will present quite the challenge for Los Locos on their postseason quest.

KEY LOCOMOTIVE STATISTICS

– Frank Daroma leads the Championship in passing accuracy (min. 150 passes) at 92.59% and passing accuracy in the opposing half at 89.56%.

– Los Locos have won the most fouls (428) and faced the fewest shots (199) in the USL Championship this season.

RECENT LOCOMOTIVE QUOTES

HC Wilmer Cabrera on pressure given tight West table:

“There is pressure and has to be because if you win, you maintain your position. If you lose, you go back six or seven positions in the Western Conference. It’s a lot of pressure, but it’s a lot of pressure for all of us. I think it’s just making us feel that the playoffs are getting closer and that each game is really important. Each point counts and is very valuable.”

Cabrera on playing all Eastern Conference teams in September:

“It’s important for us to go out and get the results ourselves.  We have four games left here at home. If we get those results, we’re going to be able to reach the playoffs, and that’s the goal.  Our preparation is good, the mentality is good and now, it’s up to us on the field that we keep performing well.  We just need to not drop the concentration or intensity down the stretch.”

Beto Avila on team mentality moving forward:

“From now on, every minute of every match is going to get tougher. We’re getting close to the playoffs, and everybody is very close to each other. We are in a playoff mentality. Everyone is going to be fighting, and we want our first game to be at home.”

Gabi Torres on how team needs to play down the stretch:

“I believe we are really strong when we play together. We need everybody down the stretch. When we show fight on the field, it’s really difficult to play against us. Now, with seven games left in the regular season, we need to stay humble and show more consistency to get the results we need in a tough Western Conference.”

EL PASO, Texas (September 11, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC head east for a clash against North Carolina FC on Friday, September 12 at 5 p.m. MT at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.

Locomotive match previews are presented by Speaking Rock.

HOW TO WATCH EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC VS NORTH CAROLINA FC – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2025 @ 5:00 P.M. MT – FIRST HORIZON STADIUM AT WAKEMED SOCCER PARK – CARY, NORTH CAROLINA

Watch: ESPN+

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.

KEY STORYLINES

El Paso Locomotive FC were unable to overcome two early goals from Loudoun United FC in a 2-1 defeat on Saturday night at Southwest University Park.

The visitors scored two goals in the opening 12 minutes to force El Paso to chase for the rest of the match. Despite several scoring chances in the second half including a header from Palermo Ortiz, the hosts were unable to claw back into this one.

Gabi Torres has been nominated for the USL Championship Player of the Month award in August. He helped lead Locomotive to an unbeaten month in league play while also recording two goals and two assists which gave him the club single season record.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

F Andy Cabrera: Locomotive fans were excited to see Cabrera back in the squad this past weekend. After dealing with a hamstring injury suffered on August 9, he entered Saturday’s match as a late sub tallying 13 minutes. The leading goalscorer for Los Locos is expected to ease back into things these next few weeks but will be an important piece with playoffs just around the corner.

D Ricky Ruiz: Ruiz has been a staple at left back for Locomotive this season but has come alive offensively these past two weeks tallying a goal and two assists. The trio of Ruiz, Gabi Torres and Amando Moreno has made some noise as of late with 48.9 percent of Los Locos’ threats in the final third on Saturday coming down that left-hand side.

G Jahmali Waite: Waite returns from starting two matches with the Jamaican national team in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying. He recorded two shutouts and five saves over the weekend to cement his country’s spot atop Group B and push them closer to a World Cup bid next summer. Waite has allowed just two goals in his previous five starts for Locomotive as he hopes to build on this success in the final stretch of the regular season.

OPPONENT INFO: North Carolina FC

Los Locos won their only meeting with North Carolina FC last season in El Paso on a late penalty from Joaquin Rivas in the 90th minute. This will be Locomotive’s first trip to WakeMed Soccer Park in club history.

North Carolina FC sits fourth in the Eastern Conference with a resume similar to that of El Paso. Their offense has been rampant at times with the likes of Pedro Dolabella and Michael Maldonado leading the charge. However, their back line has been succeptible at times leading to a near-even split of wins and losses this season. North Carolina has finished out halves very strong this season with 20 of their 34 goals this season coming in the final 15 minutes of each frame, including 12 to end the first half, the most in the league.

KEY LOCOMOTIVE STATISTICS

– Gabi Torres set a club single season record with his ninth assist across all competitions.

– Frank Daroma leads the Championship in passing accuracy (min. 150 passes) at 92.51%.

– Los Locos have won the most fouls (408) and faced the fewest shots (189) in the USL Championship this season.

RECENT LOCOMOTIVE QUOTES

HC Wilmer Cabrera on pressure given tight West table:

“There is pressure and has to be because if you win, you maintain your position. If you lose, you go backsix or seven positions in the Western Conference. It’s a lot of pressure, but it’s a lot of pressure for all of us. I think it’s just making us feel that the playoffs are getting closer and that each game is really important. Each point counts and is very valuable.”

Cabrera on playing all Eastern Conference teams in September:

“It’s important for us to go out and get the results ourselves.  We have four games left here at home. If we get those results, we’re going to be able to reach the playoffs, and that’s the goal.  Our preparation is good, the mentality is good and now, it’s up to us on the field that we keep performing well.  We just need to not drop the concentration or intensity down the stretch.”

Ricky Ruiz on loss against Loudoun United FC:

“Our performance wasn’t good enough. Those first two goals came quick. We had a lack of concentration which cannot happen. We have to stay focused individually and do better as a team. After those mistakes, we held the ball well, but we can’t put ourselves in those positions.”

Beto Avila on team mentality moving forward:

“From now on, every minute of every match is going to get tougher. We’re getting close to the playoffs, and everybody is very close to each other. We are in a playoff mentality. Everyone is going to be fighting, and we want our first game to be at home.”

EL PASO, Texas (September 5, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC return home to face Loudoun United FC on Saturday, September 6 at 7 p.m. MT. at Southwest University Park. The match will be streamed on ESPN+, KVIA.com and the KVIA News app.

HOW TO WATCH EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC VS LOUDOUN UNITED FC – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 @ 7:00 P.M. MT – SOUTHWEST UNIVERSITY PARK – EL PASO, TEXAS

Watch: ESPN+, KVIA.com and the KVIA News app
Tickets: eplocomotivefc.com/tickets

Ticket Add-On: Upside Down El Paso Cap

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.

KEY STORYLINES

In a wild come-from-behind affair, El Paso Locomotive FC fought back from three goals down to secure a 3-3 draw on Saturday night at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium.

After a red card brought Phoenix down to ten men, Locomotive took advantage and found the back of the net three times in the final 25 minutes. Ricky Ruiz found himself with the tying goal in the 98th minute to keep Locomotive in the third place in the Western Conference.

Gabi Torres has been nominated for the USL Championship Player of the Month award in August. He helped lead Locomotive to an unbeaten month in league play while also recording two goals and two assists which gave him the club single season record.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

F Amando Moreno: Moreno has been the go-to man in the Locomotive attack with Andy Cabrera out for the past month. He has already surpassed his goal total from last season (7) and has added four assists on top of that. Him and Gabi Torres should see the ball a lot more on the left side of the formation as the schedule heats up down the stretch.

D Ricky Ruiz: After his 100th regular season appearance in USL Championship, Ruiz earned a USL Championship Team of the Week selection after securing his first goal and assist of the season. He slotted home the equalizer Saturday night in the 98th minute while also chipping in two tackles and an interception on the defensive end while also recording a team-high 102 touches.

G Sebastian Mora-Mora: With Jahmali Waite out with the Jamaican national team for World Cup qualifiers, Locomotive turn to Mora-Mora in goal who is slated to make his sixth league appearance this season. The 27-year-old has come up big in moments for Los Locos this year including a pair of penalty shootout victories in the U.S. Open Cup (at New Mexico United – 4/13) and USL Jägermeister Cup (at Texoma FC – 4/26).

OPPONENT INFO: Loudoun United FC

Los Locos have won all three meetings with Loudoun United FC by a combined score of 6-1. Last season, Locomotive started off the match with a bang as Tumi Moshobane scored his lone Locomotive goal in the opening minute before Eric Calvillo doubled the lead later on en route to the club’s first victory in 2024.

Loudoun United is enjoying their best season to date as they sit in third place in the Eastern Conference only five points away from their regular season record. Abdellatif Aboukoura (11 goals) and Florian Valot (7 assists) lead a potent Loudoun attack that is the third highest scoring in the East. Hugo Fauroux ranks second in the league in saves (63) but will seek help from a back line that has been vulnerable at times this season.

KEY LOCOMOTIVE STATISTICS

– Gabi Torres set the club single season record against Las Vegas Lights FC with his ninth assist across all competitions.

– Frank Daroma leads the Championship in passing accuracy (min. 250 passes) at 92.67%.

– Los Locos have won the most fouls in the USL Championship this season (387).

RECENT LOCOMOTIVE QUOTES

HC Wilmer Cabrera on comeback against Phoenix last week:

“I think we had a very good plan and were dominant on the ball despite being down to start the match. We were a little bit quiet offensively until the red card came in, and then the team woke up and put in a good performance creating chances and scoring goals.”

Cabrera on playing all Eastern Conference teams in September:

“It’s important for us to go out and get the results ourselves.  We have five games left here at home. If we get those results, we’re going to be able to reach the playoffs, and that’s the goal.  Our preparation is good, the mentality is good and now, it’s up to us on the field that we keep performing well.  We just need to drop the concentration or intensity down the stretch.”

Gabi Torres on team mentality moving forward:

“I believe we are really strong when we play together. We need everybody down the stretch. When we show fight on the field, it’s really difficult to play against us. Now, with ten games left in the regular season, we need to stay humble and show more consistency to get the results we need in a tough Western Conference.”

Beto Avila on finding balance as season progresses:

“I think it’s something that this team has obviously been working on. Throughout the games and experiences together, we’ve overcome little by little by being stronger in the back. The best offense is defense. I think that us having the ability to win close or win by a lot is certainly a good thing for us.”