El Paso Locomotive FC lost their first match since facing the current top team in the Western Conference, Phoenix Rising FC in April. The loss ended their nine-game unbeaten streak in front of the second- largest crowd at home in franchise history since their home opener; that also ended with a loss. Preston Tabort Etaka scored the only goal of the night off a set piece in the 42nd minute just before the close of the first half. The only shot on target from the visitors was enough to score them their first win on the road so far this season.
Las Vegas arrived in the Sun City with a defensive formation, setting five defenders on their back line to help counter attack El Paso’s strong offense. The tactic was a successful one, as El Paso grew frustrated. The home team gave everything they could, with eight shots on goal in the second half alone, but in the end were unable to convert them into goals.
“Whenever a team plays that many on the back, it’s always hard to break down, it takes time,” El Paso head coach Mark Lowry said in the post-match press conference. “There’s not much more we could have done at the end of the day. We threw everything at it, just wasn’t going our way.”
El Paso was also missing several key players on their back line due to injury, including both center backs, Mechack Jérôme and Chiro N’Toko. Midfielder Yuma is also hurt, while Edson Partida damaged his foot in the final minutes after subbing for Chapa Herrera in the second half. El Paso are facing three matches on the road beginning with San Antonio on Wednesday.
“We have a short roster right now,” Bryam Rebellón said. “It’s going to be a hard week for us, but I believe we have the strength. We have been working really hard to overcome this situation and hopefully we can get some good results away. We know what we have and we know the way we work. We were a little bit unlucky today but hopefully that will change in the next week.”
After Saturday’s loss, El Paso Locomotive is again tied alongside New Mexico United for third place in the Western Conference. After 15 matches played, they are one point behind second place, Portland Timbers 2, and six points behind Phoenix who have played 16 games. They will be fighting for those points against Fresno after facing San Antonio, and then OKC Energy FC on July 6 before returning home.
