After two weeks on the road, the El Paso Locomotive came back home to Southwest University Park, but their homecoming would be no easy challenge.
Making the nearly 600-mile trip from Colorado Springs, was the United Soccer League’s second place team in the Western Conference, the Colorado Switchbacks.
So, were the Locomotive able to make their opponent crazy with an upset, or did the Switchbacks extend their four-game win streak?
Well, the answer sits in the middle.
Ultimately, the Locomotive & Switchbacks played to a 1-1 draw.
In the first 20 minutes, both teams went back and forth with efficient defense.
However, in the 24th minute, Colorado’s Yosuke Hanya drilled a near post shot to give the Switchbacks a 1-0 advantage.
It took some time, but once the second half kicked off, the Locomotive were able to ride the crazy train.
In the 48th minute, El Paso earned a corner kick. Despite missing the kick, the Switchbacks suddenly lost momentum.
It was in the 51st minute when Ricky Ruiz, off an assist from Lucas Stauffer, reached the back of the net to tie the score at 1-1.
From then, until the last whistle, the entirety of Southwest University Park would bite their nails until there was nothing left.
At the 71st minute mark, Arun Basulijevec would find Amando Moreno in stride, but his attack would be stopped from a sliding tackle from Colorado’s goalkeeper Christian Herrera.
But the Switchbacks wouldn’t leave the defense with clean hands, as Herrera was booked with a foul. Giving Moreno a chance for a penalty kick.
Eric Calvillo was elected to take the penalty kick.
Calvillo lined up and drilled the ball to the left side, and alas, Herrera was on the same page.
Both clubs would fight to the end, as the game’s outcome would be decided during stoppage time at the 94th minute.
Ultimately, El Paso’s corner kick was cleared out of the box by Colorado.
The Switchbacks survived their trip to West Texas, whilst the Locomotive hung their heads high over their performance against a perennial USL club.
There are only five games left in the USL season, and the Locomotive looks to finish strongly.
The El Paso Locomotive will stay at home to take on North Carolina FC Sept. 28 The game can be viewed on ESPN+ at 1:00 p.m. Mountain Time.
Sebastian Perez-Navarro is a staff reporter for The Prospector and can be reached at [email protected]
