The whistle blew in Salt Lake City last month to wrap the inaugural season for the El Paso Locomotive FC. The expansion team had reached the semifinals, facing the highest point of any other expansion team this season, far surpassing the initial goal of simply making the playoffs. The season was something to celebrate and cheer with pride after a traumatic mass shooting had rocked the community only months before.
After a dramatic win on the road in Sacramento to earn a spot in the semis, El Paso had lost in extra time, 2-1, against the Real Monarchs who would move on to become the 2019 USL League Champions. Only days after the season ended for El Paso, head coach Mark Lowry and staff got straight to work for 2020. Soon it would be announced that forward Jerome Kiesewetter had signed with MLS expansion team Inter Miami. Not long after that, supporters learned both defender James Kiffee and midfielder Sebastian Contreras would not be renewing contracts. Other key players in limbo would be the star forward Sebastian Velasquez, who by time of publication has yet to announce plans for 2020.
“After the final game against the Monarchs, we were very sad and disappointed,” Lowry said speaking to the press at the 2020 jersey reveal launch event. “The amount of work that went into the preparation to get a competitive team on the field that would do the city of El Paso, the whole Borderland community proud, was amazing.”
After a losing slump in the summer due to injured players, the squad rebounded with a six-game streak of wins and draws, finishing as the sixth seed in the Western Conference.
“This past season went by fast, but we want to be much better in the season to come,” Lowry said. “There are many things we can do better both on the field and off it as well. It’s important that we play well together, with a little more intensity. Now that Jerome (Kiesewetter) has gone to Miami, we need a goal scorer.”
El Paso has a unique relationship with the LigaMX FC Bravos in Juarez, Chihuahua. Due to the partnership with their sister city, El Paso acquired forward Aaron Gomez on loan who would be a key figure in getting the team to the playoffs. The team has yet to announce whether Gomez will return in 2020. ISN spoke to him directly after the semis, the Mexican remained coy on the subject adding he had enjoyed the season but would have to wait and see what his future holds.
“The LigaMX is a very good and strong league,” Lowry added. “The Bravos are fantastic and we have a good relationship with the team. It’s important that as the family grows, we remain united because between the two teams we have a really unique situation and fantastic in all the world of football and in this country especially.”
El Paso natives Omar Selgado and Louis “Chapa” Herrera will return, having signed two-year contracts in 2019. Open tryouts were held in November but unfortunately did not garner any new signings. Lowry explains though he sees talent in El Paso, the team is seeking experienced players from leagues in Latin America and overseas. Sebastian Contreras of Argentina had spent part of the season playing in the number 10 position, but failed to score the goals the team was seeking, despite scoring a pressure-filled penalty in the final home game in El Paso.
“Contreras is a player with a lot of technique, but in the number 10 position, it’s very important that we garner more goals,” Lowry explained. “Contreras is a great person but at the moment we’re looking at other options.”
Supporters have been persistent on social media, anxious for the team to lock down midfielder Sebastian Velasquez for another year. The Colombian had signed a six-month contract wanting to be sure the move was a good fit. By season’s end he had purchased a home.
“We want Velasquez to stay, he’s a very important player for us,” Lowry added. “But, those things take time, with patience and faith we hope that he will remain with us for the coming season.”
Supporters won’t have to wait too much longer, with the 2020 season opener fast approaching in March. Lowry and the team are working hard to be ahead of the game.
“You’ll see the hunger that we have in the coming months to not just be a winning team but to be a team that El Paso can continue to be proud of for years to come.”
