Youth Soccer

EL PASO, Texas (September 16, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC Youth Soccer saw numerous teams compete in the Copa Alianza tournament this past weekend at the Westside Soccer Complex. The competition serves as the largest Hispanic tournament in the United States.

“Copa Alianza is more than just a tournament—it’s the heartbeat of the Borderplex community’s love, hunger, and passion for the game,” Locomotive Youth Soccer director Ulyses Torres said. “Competing against the region’s very best, both domestically and internationally, challenges us in every facet. For our club to be at the forefront of this event, both on the pitch and visually, is a testament to our commitment and growth.”

Highlights of the tournament include the 2010 boy’s ECNL team winning their bracket and the 2016 boy’s team making it to the Final. Also, the USL Academy side was able to knock off the Alianza Select Team.

“The atmosphere was electric—full of energy, emotional highs and lows and memorable moments that our players will carry with them for the rest of the year,” boys’ club director Sean Taylor said. “We’re proud of all our players and look forward to returning next year.”

For more information about Locomotive Youth Soccer, click here.

EL PASO, Texas (August 27, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC Youth Soccer is proud to announce a banner year in the ECNL’s Mountain Conference with multiple players earning prestigious accolades for their outstanding contributions.

“This past season’s accolades are a true reflection of the club’s commitment to elevating youth soccer in El Paso,” Locomotive Youth Soccer director Ulysus Torres said. “They are a testament to the hard work, dedication and growth of our players and staff across all age groups. Seeing our athletes recognized at the conference level—and potentially beyond—is a proud moment for the entire Locomotive family.”

The accolades are led by Joseluis Villagomez who was named Mountain Conference Player of the Year—a testament to his leadership, consistency, and elite-level performance this season. He was also named to the 2024-25 All-American team for the U18/19 age. These honors also mean he is eligible for National Player of the Year honors announced soon.

“This award is a reflection not only of their talent, but also of the daily commitment, discipline, and character that they bring to the game,” Academy director Alex Pozo said. “Achievements like this inspire the entire academy, and we’re excited to see them continue to grow and represent our values both on and off the field.”

All-Conference Accolades Across the Youth Ranks

Mountain Conference Player of the Year: Joseluis Villagomez

First Team All-Conference selections:

• U15: Charlie Hernandez, Michael Perez
• U16: Xzavier Rede
• U17: Nicolas Pinoncely
• U18/19: Joseluis Villagomez, Sebastian Esparza

Second Team All-Conference selections:

• U15: Jeremiah Hoban
• U16: Andree Salazar
• U17: Raul Carrillo
• U18/19: Axel Valdivia

EL PASO, Texas (July 11, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC has hired Denisse Yeverino to the role of Youth Soccer Athletic Trainer. In this position, she will assist with medical needs for the ECNL and RL teams while being available sporadically within the rest of the youth soccer program as well.

Yeverino’s primary responsibilities will be with the U20 Academy team and their day-to-day schedule including training and matches. She will travel with the team moving forward and recently returned from the ECNL National Playoffs in Seattle.

“I’m excited to work with our Academy teams,” Yeverino said. “I grew up around the sport with my family, so now, getting to be a part of this organization is super cool.”

An El Paso native, Yeverino attended Coronado High School and the received both her bachelor’s degree in exercise science and her master’s degree in athletic training from New Mexico State University.

“Denisse is a fantastic addition to our Academy,” Locomotive Director of Youth Soccer Ulysus Torres said. “Her deep understanding of high-level player development and its union with rehab sciences, strong academic foundations in athletic training and her roots here in El Paso make her uniquely equipped to care for our youth athletes.”

For more information about youth soccer, click here.

SEATTLE, Washington (July 10, 2025) – In their first ECNL season, three of El Paso Locomotive FC’s six squads made a strong national statement in the ECNL National Playoffs in Seattle last week. The week-long soccer celebration featured more than 300 teams representing the top level of youth soccer in the country.

The U19 squad featured many younger players playing up an age class while the U15 side faced off against nationally ranked teams in every match. The U14 squad made a run all the way to the Round of 16 and finished a game shy of the National Finals in Richmond, Virginia.

“This success goes far beyond just the wins,” Locomotive Director of Youth Soccer Ulysus Torres said. “It’s about resilience, talent and our entire club philosophy coming together. The teams showed they belong among the country’s best both on the field in front of hundreds of college scouts and across all aspects of the program.”

The tournament provided players with not only valuable on-field experience but also opportunities to continue their soccer careers at the collegiate level with many coaches and scouts in attendance.

“The ECNL Playoffs confirmed that our players are competing at a level that opens real college opportunities,” Academy director Alex Pozo said. “Our players had excellent opportunities to be seen, and many engaged directly with college scouts and coaches before and after matches. Our focus must remain on developing complete student-athletes who are ready to perform, communicate and pursue the right academic fit.”

Locomotive Youth Soccer hopes to build on a successful first season in ECNL and continue to open more possibilities for player on and off the pitch.

“We must all be incredibly proud of our players and teams who have come this far,” Torres said. “The future is bright, and after this event, we’re more motivated than ever to return next year with even more success and to remain among the very best that youth soccer in this country has to offer.”

EL PASO, Texas (June 5, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC Youth Soccer recognized their 2025 college signees this morning at Southwest University Park. The event was presented by U.T. Company.

 The list of players is as follows:

– Hugo Herrera – Coronado High School – Angelina College (Texas) – JUCO

– Ivan Escobedo – Bel Air High School – Angelina College (Texas) – JUCO

– Ruben Esparza – Americas High School – Angelina College (Texas) – JUCO 

– Gael Parra – Pebble Hills High School – Sul Ross State University (Texas) – NCAA Division II

– Abdiel Izaguirre – Salem University (West Virginia) – NCAA Division III

– Alfonso Duarte – Andress High School – West Texas A&M (Texas) – NCAA Division II

– Julian Aleman – Parkland High School – West Texas A&M (Texas) – NCAA Division II

– ⁠Miguel Morones – Andress High School – Eastern Arizona College (Arizona) – JUCO

– ⁠Hector Valdiviezo – Chapin High School – Muskingum University (Ohio) – NCAA Division III

– Raul Vazquez – Grand Canyon University (Arizona) – NCAA Division I

– Finnley O’Brien – Grand Canyon University (Arizona) – NCAA Division I

EL PASO, Texas (May 21, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC announced the hire of Ulysus Torres as its new Director of Youth Soccer. He will take over for Ivan Militar who is stepping down from the position after three years.

Torres, an El Paso native, comes to the club from FC Westlake in Austin, Texas where he served as the College Placement Director and Elite Girls Assistant Program Director. He attended Franklin High School and graduated from George Fox University before receiving his master’s degree from University of the Cumberlands in health education and sports science. He has worked with Locomotive youth soccer previously as the head coach for the U17 boy’s side back in fall 2020.

“It’s a very surreal thing for me being back in El Paso,” Torres said. “This entire process has been a realization of a vision that I have always had from a professional and personal standpoint to be able to one day give back to the community I grew up in and that I care deeply about.”

In his time with FC Westlake, Torres saw a healthy majority of the athletes he worked with receive scholarship offers to continue their careers at the next level. He hopes to tap into the existing infrastructure of the youth soccer program while also continuing to strengthen community ties and partnerships.

“There’s so much that’s already been built here by Ivan and his staff here,” Torres said. “We’re still pretty young in comparison to other clubs. For me, it’s the relationships that will allow us to continue to have our sights on future successes and reflect on why we’re doing what we’re doing.”

Torres looks to take advantage of the soccer landscape of the Borderplex region, one he knows well as someone who came up through it.

“I don’t think it takes an El Paso native to speak on the talent levels of this city,” Torres said. “Anywhere I go, people know about El Paso and the quality that comes with that. Whether it’s the professional or collegiate level, people understand what the city can produce in terms of talent.”

Torres has been in office with Militar for the past few weeks to observe the inner workings of the program. In his time with the club, Militar has overseen dramatic changes to the infrastructure of Locomotive youth soccer. The program has tripled in size since the summer of 2022 and achieved new heights with inclusion into the ECNL Regional Legaue and ECNL.

“When Ivan came to the organization three years ago, we were a fledgling youth soccer group,” Locomotive general manager Andrew Forrest said. “He transformed the landscape of all of youth soccer in our purview but also helped positively change youth soccer in the Borderplex. He has been professional and bullish on high-level soccer in the Borderplex region.”

Militar coached the U20 Academy squad to consecutive USL Academy Finals and reached the final of the 2024 Dallas Cup at Toyota Stadium, the first time an El Paso-based side had done so. Five Academy players have signed first team contracts during Militar’s tenure while over 30 went on to play at the college level.

“I think we have gotten to a point where we are now in the big leagues,” Militar said. “Now, we are in the business of youth soccer completely. We have laid the foundation, and now, it’s time for Ulysus to come and build upon that and make it even stronger.”

Militar and his wife, Wendy, recently had their third child. They will be moving to Richmond, Virginia where Militar will serve as the ECNL director for Richmond United.

“It was a black canvas when I got here, and three years later, I think we have achieved a lot of things,” Militar said. “I consider myself very lucky, and I’m very grateful to have met people that I have in my time here in El Paso.”

EL PASO, Texas (April 25, 2025) – El Paso Locomotive FC Youth Soccer has promoted Alex Pozo to be the head coach of the U20 USL Academy team. George Valenzuela will serve as an assistant coach for the squad and handle Academy registration.

“Our U20 USL Academy team is a fully funded entity meaning we have a lot of responsibility to guide the players with full commitment, high-level knowledge and competitiveness,” Academy and Youth Soccer Director Ivan Militar said. “These values are all within Alex and George. They both understand the expectations and the developmental process this project needs.”

Pozo, who will continue to serve as Youth Soccer’s college recruitment coordinator, has been with the club since February 2023. He has previously coached the U17 team and served as an assistant for the U20 Academy squad. Across his 14 years of youth soccer experience, he has helped players to navigate and take their game to the next level.

“I am incredibly excited about the opportunity to coach the USL Academy squad and contribute to growth and success on and off the field,” Pozo said. “My experience in coaching for elite youth academies over the last 14 years and passion for teaching the beautiful game make me confident that we will continue developing their individual skills and fostering a positive team environment.”

Valenzuela, an El Paso native and former collegiate soccer player, has worked with the U14 team and served as the Academy registrar since September 2024. He is currently working toward his first U.S. Soccer coaching license.

“It fills me with a lot of pride and joy to join the club as the U20 Academy Assistant,” Valenzuela said. “There is a lot of top talent, not only in El Paso, but all the Borderland, and Locomotive Youth Soccer is proving to be a great pathway for these aspiring athletes. My experience playing and coaching with previous academies and at the college level give me the confidence to help continue to propel this club to greater heights.”

Pozo and Valenzuela hope to continue the progression of the top Academy side and lead the team to new heights.

For more information about youth soccer, click here.