USL El Paso Locomotive FC

Locomotive FC Update

May 7, 2024 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
El Paso Locomotive FC News Release


A TOUGH DEFEAT - Locomotive's struggles this season continued after a 2-0 loss on the road at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, El Paso's first ever defeat at Weidner Field.

A SHIFT IN FORMATION - The match against the Switchbacks did see Head Coach and Technical Director Brian Clarhaut make formation adjustments. Locomotive seemed to play more of a 4-4-2, with Bolu Akinyode moving up to midfield and Joaquin Rivas lining up alongside Justin Dhillon in front of goal.

The formation change did see El Paso become much more threatening in transition, as it allowed Locomotive more opportunity to trigger counterattacks into wide areas to then feed into the box, demonstrated by the chances Locomotive created in the second half. Unfortunately, those chances were not capitalized on and a win continues to evade El Paso.

CLARHAUT SUSPENSION - Clarhaut will not be on the sidelines for El Paso's next match against Loudoun United FC after he was shown a red card in the match against the Switchbacks. Assistant coach Jon Burklo will step in his place.

This will be Burklo's second time leading the team on the sidelines. He led the team last season against Phoenix Rising FC after Clarhaut's suspension at Miami FC.

NEXT MATCH - El Paso face Loudoun United FC on the road this Friday, May 10 at 7 p.m. MT on ESPN+.

ABOUT THE OPPONENT - Loudoun United FC (East-9, 2-2-4) are winless in their last three league matches (1-0 Louisville, 3-1 Sacramento, 0-0 Detroit). Their last match, however, saw Loudoun win the offensive battle and it was unfortunate for them that Detroit's Nate Steinwascher once again displayed his goalkeeping caliber. Loudon felt like they deserved more than a point and will want to build on their positive display against El Paso.

MIDWEEK ADVANTAGE? - Loudoun do have the added challenge of having to compete midweek, a Round of 32 matchup in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against Orange County SC. Traveling across the country to California then back to Virginia with a few days' recovery will undoubtedly be difficult for the Loudoun roster and Locomotive will hope that can work in their favor as they search for a positive result.

UNDEFEATED VS LOUDOUN- El Paso and Loudoun have only met twice, once at home and once on the road. El Paso won both matches.

FIRST MEETING - The first contest between the two sides took place at Segra Field in 2022, with El Paso scoring three goals in the second half to come back from a 1-0 deficit. In addition to a Luis Solignac brace, Diego Luna also found the back of the net.

LAST MEETING - Locomotive left it all the way to the 89th minute in its last meeting against Loudoun, played at Southwest University Park last May. El Paso native Chris Garcia (who is on loan with Austin FC II this season) scored his first Locomotive goal in front of friends and family to provide the decisive game-winner.

Check out the El Paso Locomotive FC Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 7, 2024


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