Eder Borreli Cadid About His Arrival to Locomotive FC
Éder Borreli’s arrival from FC Juarez over the course of the summer was a positive gain for El Paso Locomotive FC. Due to Mexican Soccer Federation and work visa delays there was a lot of uncertainty as to when Borreli and Leandro Carrijo (the other transfer from FC Juarez) would make their debut with El Paso.
Fans were anxious to see what the lateral fullback who has been in the Borderland since the summer of 2015 and was vital to FC Juarez winning the championship in their inaugural season could do with the Locos.
That wait came to an end on Wednesday night when Borelli was called to the Starting XI by Locomotive head coach Mark Lowry against Colorado Switchbacks FC. The Monterrey native of Argentinean descent played for 77 minutes in his debut.
Playing left fullback on the defensive line, he looked like he hadn’t missed a step. This is impressive for someone who had not seen any game action for well over 6 months. Borreli was calculated with his defensive aggressiveness and was tireless running up on down the left flank on the attack and then returning to his defensive responsibilities.
After the match Borreli commented on his overall experience with the Locos thus far and the level of play in the USL Championship.
Borreli said, "The truth is I am surprised by the level of play in this league. The technical and physical level of both my teammates and our rivals, it is something that I have noticed from just observing. It’s been three months since I had been here training daily and not being able to debut. Now that I have, I can confirm it and it is still something that continues to take me by surprise. Coming from Mexico’s first division many have asked me about the level of the USL and is something that is a pleasant surprise for me and something that I’m very happy about."
As for him finally being able to make his debut, Borreli commented, "I’m very happy. This is what I have been training for. Its been a long time since I’ve played in a competitive match, coming from Bravos its been 6, 7 months and it’s a long time. I agree and support Mark's decision to bring us on slowly. Not only that, but right now the team is performing at a maximum level and when that’s the case its better to leave things untouched and not make changes. I will always be training, preparing and supporting my teammates. This is a beautiful and good group where everyone supporters and wishes each other well and that is very important within a soccer team."
As for the hot streak El Paso finds itself in at the present time Borreli was philosophical, "We are very happy, but I also think this is a team with lots of experience and we are aware we have to take it a match at a time and that we have won anything by being in first place. We have to win the remaining matches, hold on to first place in the group to have home field advantage in the playoffs. That is always important in the playoffs, it will avoid us traveling and you have the support of your fans. That is exactly what will be looking for to close out the regular season."
Up next for the Locomotive will be another Saturday night match against Real Monarchs at 7:30pm at Southwest University Park. With a playoff spot locked up the team from the 915 will look to, like Borreli said, get more of a grip on first place in group C. The match will be televised locally on the CW.