The regional rivalry between New Mexico United and El Paso Locomotive FC began Sunday with a four-goal fire of a match that ended in a draw. A head butt in the second half sent two players off the field with red cards, shifting the momentum of the game. The Locomotive held their own against one of the conference leaders, but failed to secure the three points for the win. Jerome Kiesewetter netted both goals for El Paso, the second consecutive match the striker has done so since his debut with the club in April.
“We played a very good game, we had good chances and controlled the game, the whole game not just parts of it,” Kiesewetter said post-match. “I wish we could have won the game but now the game is over. We’re finding our rhythm after the first one or two games where we had no rhythm. I think the fans had a good game to watch. All in all we were just unlucky that we didn’t get the win, but now on to the next game.”
Kiesewetter notched the first goal of the match off an assist from Calvin Rezende. New Mexico was soon to respond when Sam Hamilton scored to end the first half tied. Though New Mexico is one of the top teams in the league, it was El Paso who dominated possession and had more shots on goal, controlling the match.
15 minutes into the second half, Kiesewetter displayed his strength on the pitch once again with a second goal to put the Locomotive’s back on top. The goal showed fans and rivals alike, just how he is adapting to his new team. Mark Lowry, El Paso’s head coach, was happy to see the progress but not surprised.
“I immediately saw his qualities, his natural forward instincts. Frankly, you can’t really coach a #9 -it is one of those positions that is intuitive, it’s instinctive. Good number 9’s are born, they’re not made,” Coach Mark Lowry said of Kiesewetter. “I don’t think he scored for his first three games, he was building up his fitness level. He was building up his understanding of the group and how we play. I knew eventually once he scored, the goals would keep coming in, and you’ll see. For me, he’s the best #9 in the league.”
The Locomotive are on a four-game streak without any losses. They head into Wednesday’s match facing Forward Madison FC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the longest running competition in the United States celebrating its 106th edition this season. El Paso will hope to have midfielder Nick Ross return from injury, but may also see on loan FC Juarez midfielder Josué Aarón Gómez make his debut. Lowry added the club is merely awaiting league approval to get him on the pitch. The cup is currently in its second round of games this week, before hitting the third round at the end of the month.
“The possession, the chance we created, we were superb,” Lowry added. “Keeping in perspective it hurts not to win because we feel like we deserved to, but four games unbeaten and two wins and two ties, another great performance against New Mexico.”
