Team of the Week

EL PASO, Texas (July 29, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC’s Gabi Torres earned a selection to the USL Jägermeister Cup Team of the Round for Round 4 after his performance in a 1-0 victory at Union Omaha last Saturday.

In his second Jägermeister Cup start of the season, Torres played a key role in Los Locos’ first win against Union Omaha. He recorded a team-high three tackles while completing 35 of 42 passes. He also made an impact on the offensive end with eight final third entries.

USL Jägermeister Cup Team of the Round – Round 4

GK – Ricardo Jérez, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC

D – Devon Amoo-Mensah, Detroit City FC

D – Jake Morris, Louisville City FC

D – Christian Ortiz, AV ALTA FC

M – Rafael Jauregui, Charlotte Independence

M – Jeciel Cedeno, Detroit City FC

M – Gabi Torres, El Paso Locomotive FC

M – Rodrigo Robles, Greenville Triumph SC

F – Quenzi Huerman, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

F – Bertin Jacquesson, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

F – Mason Tunbridge, South Georgia Tormenta FC

Coach – Ian Cameron, South Georgia Tormenta FC

Bench – Tetsuya Kadono (OC), Tyler Clegg (COS), Fabrice Ngah (CLT), Chevone Marsh (GVL), Blake Bodily (TBR), Juan Agudelo (SA), Ates Diouf (DET)

EL PASO, Texas (June 24, 2025) – All contributors to El Paso Locomotive FC’s goals on Saturday night were selected to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 16 with Wahab Ackwei, Andy Cabrera and Gabi Torres earning their flowers after the 2-1 road victory.

GABI TORRES

This is Torres’ fourth team of the week appearance this season which is tied with Cabrera for the team lead. He found Ackwei on a cross for his team-high fourth assist of the season. Torres also won eight duels and recorded a team-high three interceptions to extend his league lead with 25 on the season.

ANDY CABRERA

Cabrera returned to his scoring ways on Saturday converting Locomotive’s first penalty of the season in the 56^th minute. This gives the reigning USL Championship Player of the Month 10 goals in league play on the season making him the fastest player in club history to reach that mark.

WAHAB ACKWEI

After a rough outing last week, Ackwei responded with his second goal of the season and his first since his matchwinner against Hartford Athletic on March 29. He completed 47 of 52 passes while also recording a team-high eight clearances and winning two tackles.

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 16

GK – Carlos Herrera, Detroit City FC

D – Jaylin Lindsey, New Mexico United

D – Kai Greene, Oakland Roots SC

D – Gabriel Torres, El Paso Locomotive FC

M – Marlon Vargas, New Mexico United

M – Arturo Rodriguez, Charleston Battery

M – Luiz Fernando, New Mexico United

M – Jeciel Cedeño, Detroit City FC

F – Mukwelle Akale, New Mexico United

F – Kyle Edwards, Hartford Athletic

F – Andy Cabrera, El Paso Locomotive FC

Coach – John Bradford, North Carolina FC

Bench – Danny Vitiello (SAC), Finn Sundstrom (NC), Wahab Ackwei (ELP), Juan David Torres (CHS), Mikey Maldonado (NC), Mamadou Dieng (HFD), Augustine Williams (PIT)

EL PASO, Texas (May 27, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC’s Andy Cabrera was selected as the USL Championship Player of the Week for Week 12 after his brace last weekend against Las Vegas Lights FC. Frank Daroma, Ricky Ruiz and Beto Avila also earned nods to the Team of the Week after standout performances in the 2-1 comeback victory at Cashman Field.

ANDY CABRERA

Cabrera has been on fire as of late with his pair of goals on Saturday bringing his monthly total to six and his yearly total to nine, good for second in the USL Championship Golden Boot race. His header in the first half leveled things up while his quick heel flick to win the match is a Goal of the Week nominee.

FRANK DAROMA

A key component of Locomotive’s recent success, Daroma’s impact has been felt on both sides of the field. He won eight of his nine duels on Saturday night while also creating five scoring chances for Los Locos. His assist in the first half was coupled with some shifty footwork that gave him space to cross in a ball that found the head of Cabrera to tie things up before the break.

RICKY RUIZ

Ruiz held steady in the left back position for Locomotive contributing a team-high six tackles and winning three of them. He also led the team with 93 touches and completed 67 of 71 passes on the night including 18 of 20 in the final third.

BETO AVILA

Avila provided consistent pressure in the final third for Los Locos recording a team-high three shots on target and nine touches in the Lights’ box. He also set up the match-winning goal with a nifty pass to Cabrera for his third assist in league play this season.

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 12

GK – Alex Tambakis, New Mexico United

D – Sean Totsch, Louisville City FC

D – Guillaume Vacter, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

D – Chris Gloster, New Mexico United

M – Juan David Torres, Charleston Battery

M – Frank Daroma, El Paso Locomotive FC

M – Chris Hegardt, Orange County SC

M – Taylor Davila, Louisville City FC

F – Andy Cabrera, El Paso Locomotive FC

F – Cal Jennings, Charleston Battery

F – Mukwelle Akale, New Mexico United

Coach – Ben Pirmann, Charleston Battery

Bench – Eric Dick (PIT), Grant Stoneman (RI), Ricky Ruiz (ELP), Nico Benalcazar (OC), Leo Fernandes (TBR), Beto Avila (ELP), Tyler Pasher (BHM)

EL PASO, Texas (May 20, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC saw three players get selected to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 11 after dismantling Indy Eleven 3-1 on Friday night at Southwest University Park. Eric Calvillo and Andy Cabrera each earned starting positions while Arturo Ortiz was named to the bench.

ERIC CALVILLO

Calvillo was everywhere for Locomotive on Friday night with his effort paying off resulting in his first goal of the season midway through the first half. He completed 46 of 49 passes including seven in the final third while also winning seven of eight duels and all four tackles he made.

ANDY CABRERA

After training last Tuesday, head coach Wilmer Cabrera joked that while his son was scoring with ease, he wanted to see him chip in some assists as well. The message seemed to be received as the younger Cabrera chipped in two assists on Friday night for his first in a Locomotive kit. One could argue he deserves a third as his run to the outside post on an early fast break opened up space for Amando Moreno to start the scoring for Los Locos.

ARTURO ORTIZ

Ortiz contributed heavily to the Locomotive attack in the first half, assisting Moreno’s goal before providing a beautiful full-length pass down the right sideline to Cabrera who set up Calvillo for the second of the half. In defense, he also chipped in seven clearances while winning five of seven tackles and completing 56 of 64 passes.

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 11

GK – Kris Shakes, New Mexico United

D – Lamar Batista, FC Tulsa

D – Talen Maples, New Mexico United

D – Jack Gurr, Sacramento Republic FC

M – Mikey Maldonado, North Carolina FC

M – Eric Calvillo, El Paso Locomotive FC

M – JP Scearce, Phoenix Rising FC

M – Luiz Fernando, New Mexico United

F – Andy Cabrera, El Paso Locomotive FC

F – Sebastián Herrera, Sacramento Republic FC

F – Cal Jennings, Charleston Battery

Coach – Khano Smith, Rhode Island FC

Bench – Koke Vegas (RI), Arturo Ortiz (ELP), Matt Real (COS), Jaden Servania (NC), Owen Damm (TUL), Oalex Anderson (NC), Taylor Caheira (TUL)

EL PASO, Texas (May 13, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC’s Noah Dollenmayer earned a selection to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 10 after his performance in a 1-1 draw at FC Tulsa last Saturday.

In his first USL Championship start of the season, Dollenmayer played a key role in a strong defensive effort from Los Locos. He recorded a team-high eight clearances and 78 touches while completing 39 accurate passes. He won 13 of 14 duels including all ten of his aerial challenges.

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 10

GK – Jake McGuire, North Carolina FC

D – Delentz Pierre, FC Tulsa

D – Matt Mahoney, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

D – Jake Tingey, Loudoun United FC

M – Florian Valot, Loudoun United FC

M – Arturo Rodriguez, Charleston Battery

M – Abdellatif Aboukoura, Loudoun United FC

M – Jorge Hernández, San Antonio FC

F – Cal Jennings, Charleston Battery

F – Hope Avayevu, Phoenix Rising FC

F – MD Myers, Charleston Battery

Coach – Pa-Modou Kah, Phoenix Rising FC

Bench – Antony Siaha (HFD), Noah Dollenmayer (ELP), Lee Desmond (SAC), Paco Craig (NC), Chris Allan (CHS), Peter Wilson (OAK), Jake Ryan (LDN)

EL PASO, Texas (May 6, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC’s Andy Cabrera was selected as the USL Championship Player of the Week for Week 9 after his and the club’s first hat trick against New Mexico United last Saturday. Gabi Torres and Frank Daroma also earned nods to the Team of the Week after standout performances in the 3-0 victory at Southwest University Park while head coach Wilmer Cabrera was also named as Coach of the Week.

ANDY CABRERA

Cabrera was nothing short of exceptional on Saturday night as he collected his first professional hat trick in Derby Del Camino Real. This extends a superb stretch for the forward as he has now scored seven goals in his last seven matches.

“Getting a good result at home is exactly what we needed,” Cabrera said. “We were able to find the net tonight which made a huge difference. We have a great attacking group that connects well up top which helps us work together.”

GABI TORRES

Torres was a constant presence in the Locomotive midfield Saturday night on both ends creating three chances and recording three interceptions. He also assisted Cabrera’s first goal with a cross from left side of the box that set up his opening header.

FRANK DAROMA

Like Torres, Daroma was a maestro in the midfield at the weekend completing 29 of 30 passes while also winning five of six duels. Additionally, he slotted a through ball right into the feet of Cabrera who finished it off for his third goal of the night.

WILMER CABRERA

Cabrera orchestrated his team’s best performance of the season on Saturday with his gameplan in the rubber match of Derby Del Camino Real. His embrace of his son as he was subbed off late in the match was a heartwarming sign.

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 8/9

GK – Raiko Arozarena, Las Vegas Lights FC

D – Nico Benalcazar, Orange County SC

D – Houssou Landry, Charleston Battery

D – Daltyn Knutson, Miami FC

M – Gabriel Torres, El Paso Locomotive FC

M – Louie Perez, North Carolina FC

M – Juan David Torres, Charleston Battery

M – Pacifique Niyongabire, Tampa Bay Rowdies

F – Andy Cabrera, El Paso Locomotive FC

F – Elvis Amoh, Indy Eleven

F – Lyam MacKinnon, Orange County SC

Coach – Wilmer Cabrera, El Paso Locomotive FC

Bench – Richard Sánchez (SA), Collin Smith (PHX), Freddy Kleemann (SAC), Arturo Rodriguez (CHS), Frank Daroma (ELP), Jansen Wilson (LOU), Francisco Bonfiglio (MIA)

EL PASO, Texas (April 22, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC’s Robert Coronado earned a selection to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 7 after scoring his first goal of the season in a 1-1 draw at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC last Saturday.

After returning to the lineup, Coronado was all over the pitch for Locomotive in the road affair. He created a team-high five chances and 22 passes in the final third while also winning three of four duels. His goal in the 13^th minute off a beautiful run from Amando Moreno came just 109 seconds after the hosts opened the scoring.

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 4

GK – Bill Hamid, Miami FC

D – Jürgen Damm, Oakland Roots SC

D – Daltyn Knutson, Miami FC

D – Arthur Rogers, FC Tulsa

M – Arturo Rodriguez, Charleston Battery

M – Robert Coronado, El Paso Locomotive FC

M – Taylor Davila, Louisville City FC

M – Allen Gavilanes, Miami FC

F – Darren Smith, Detroit City FC

F – MD Myers, Charleston Battery

F – Taylor Calheira, FC Tulsa

Coach – Luke Spencer, FC Tulsa

Bench: Abraham Romero (COS), Emmanuel Samadia (HFD), Julian Bravo (OAK), Abdellatif Aboukoura (LDN), Dominik Wanner (SAC), Rémi Cabral (PHX), Peter Wilson (OAK)

EL PASO, Texas (April 8, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC’s Gabi Torres was selected as the USL Championship Player of the Week for Week 5 after his two-assist performance against Lexington SC last Saturday. Arturo Ortiz also earned a nod on the Team of the Week after his first Locomotive goal in the 2-1 win at Southwest University Park.

Player of the Week and Team of the Week announcements are sponsored by Cesar Ornelas Injury Law.

GABI TORRES

Torres continued to supply numerous attacking chances both from corner kicks and open play against Lexington SC. He found the head of Ortiz on a corner to put Los Locos in front in the 22^nd minute before perfectly placing a through ball to Andy Cabrera who finished it off to double the El Paso lead in the 41^st minute. Torres is the first Locomotive player to record two assists in a match since Aaron Gomez on June 25, 2022 in a 5-0 victory against New York Red Bulls II.

“I think what has helped me is the confidence and support I receive everyday from my teammates and coaching staff,” Torres said. “The way the community has welcomed me and my family has been amazing. We are truly blessed for everything that is happening in our lives.”

ARTURO ORTIZ

Ortiz scored his first Locomotive goal on a beautiful header from a Torres corner to start the scoring on Saturday night. He also recorded team-highs in clearances (nine) and tackles (three) to lead a much improved Locomotive back line.

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 5

GK – Carlos Herrera, Detroit City FC

D – Arturo Ortiz, El Paso Locomotive FC

D – Pedro Santos, Loudoun United FC

D – Freddy Kleemann, Sacramento Republic FC

D – Keegan Tingey, Loudoun United FC

M – Gabi Torres, El Paso Locomotive FC

M – Clay Holstad, Rhode Island FC

M – Jojea Kwizera, Rhode Island FC

F – Jearl Margaritha, Phoenix Rising FC

F – Albert Dikwa, Rhode Island FC

F – Maalique Foster, Indy Eleven

Coach – Pa-Modou Kah, Phoenix Rising FC

Bench – Nico Campuzano (MB), Gennaro Nigro (LV), Conor Donovan (NC), Florian Valot (LDN), Chris Allan (CHS), JJ Williams (RI), Cal Jennings (CHS)

EL PASO, Texas (April 1, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC’s Wahab Ackwei earned a selection to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 4 after scoring the game-winning goal in a 2-1 win over Hartford Athletic last Saturday.

After returning to the starting lineup, Ackwei made an immediate impact for Locomotive in the road victory. He posted a team-high nine clearances while also chipping in three tackles. He also completed 40 of 47 passes while recording perfect passing accuracy in the final third. His final touch of the match came when he finished off a Gabi Torres corner to secure the full three points for Los Locos.

https://twitter.com/USLChampionship/status/1906072784242929766

“I’m very grateful for my contribution to help the team win our first game of the season,” Ackwei said. “I wouldn’t be able to do it without my teammates. It was a great team performance.”

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 4

GK – Alex Tambakis, New Mexico United

D – Carlos Guzmán, Monterey Bay FC

D – Beto Ydrach, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

D – Wahab Ackwei, El Paso Locomotive FC

D – Arthur Rogers, FC Tulsa

M – Jorge Hernández, San Antonio FC

M – Marco Micaletto, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

M – Jimmy Medranda, San Antonio FC

M – Adrian Rebollar, Monterey Bay FC

F – Abdellatif Aboukoura, Loudoun United FC

F – Luiz Fernando, New Mexico United

Coach – Luke Spencer, FC Tulsa

Bench –  Damian Las (LOU), Freddy Kleemann (SAC), Robbie Mertz (PIT), Drew Skundrich (LDN), Maalique Foster (IND), Ray Serrano (LOU), Evan Conway (NC)

EL PASO, Texas (March 18, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC’s Amando Moreno was selected as the USL Championship Player of the Week for Week 2 after his two-goal performance against Phoenix Rising FC last Saturday. Beto Avila and Gabi Torres also earned nods to the Team of the Week after standout performances in the 4-4 draw at Southwest University Park.

AMANDO MORENO

Already halfway to his goal total from last season, Moreno has been on fire to start his 2025 campaign with three goals on the year, the most in the league. He stunned fans with a thrilling bicycle kick to complete his brace in the 53^rd minute which served as the highlight of the match for Los Locos. This is Locomotive’s first player of the week award since Moreno scored his last brace back on May 24, 2024 against Charleston Battery.

“I’m extremely happy to have scored two goals at home,” Moreno said, “and I’ll keep working to have more nights like these. It’s only the beginning, and I have so much faith in my team that we will only get better. I’ll keep playing my part to help my team get to the top.”

BETO AVILA

Avila has fit in nicely with El Paso’s attack in his first two games with the club. He opened the scoring for the Locos on Saturday with a volley into the back of the net six minutes in while also feeding Gabi Torres on his goal to start the second half.

“I was happy to chip in a goal and assist to get the offense going this season,” Avila said. “It’s just the beginning, and there’s definitely more to come.”

GABI TORRES

In his first start for Locomotive, Torres chipped in a stellar performance against his former club. He finished with a team-high four interceptions while also finishing off a cross from Avila in the 47^th minute for his first Locomotive goal and first USL goal since 2023 which ironically came against El Paso.

“I feel grateful for the recognition and for the opportunity to represent Locomotive,” Torres said. “It was special playing against Phoenix. I have a lot of friends and great admiration for the people working there.”

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 2

GK – Luis Zamudio, Charleston Battery

D – Lamar Batista, FC Tulsa

D – Patrick Hogan, Indy Eleven

D – Gabriel Torres, El Paso Locomotive FC

M – Hope Avayevu, Phoenix Rising FC

M – Mayele Malango, Monterey Bay FC

M – Jack Blake, Indy Eleven

M – Abdellatif Aboukoura, Loudoun United FC

F – Cal Jennings, Charleston Battery

F – Amando Moreno, El Paso Locomotive FC

F – Beto Avila, El Paso Locomotive FC

Coach – Ben Pirmann, Charleston Battery

Bench: Johan Peñaranda (TUL), Jimmy Medranda (SA), Jose Luis Sinisterra (OAK), Jorge Hernandez (SA), Juan David Torres (CHS), Greg Hurst (NM), Florian Valot (LDN)