Locomotive FC Group Includes NM, Colorado Springs, and Salt Lake

United Soccer League released Groups A through D today and El Paso Locomotive will compete in Group C, which also includes New Mexico United, Colorado Springs Switchbacks, and Real Monarchs.

"The last few days have been exciting since it became official," Locomotive FC head coach and technical director Mark Lowry said. "It’s an unprecedented year, so the fact that the league has been able to get organized and ready to go is huge. We are super excited that we get to play games."

The league's schedule has not yet been released, but the USL should have the full 16 game regular season finalized by next week. It will initially be a balanced schedule so the Locomotive will play a total of eight home matches and seven road matches. Since they already played Orange County SC to a road draw in March, that result already counts the standings and the Locomotive will keep the point.

The Locomotive players and staff each took a COVID-19 test on Tuesday and as soon as they receive the results (assuming none are positive), they will be cleared to return to full-squad workouts. General manager Andrew Forrest knows that the sports spotlight will be on his team as they return to the pitch for the regular season. "I think it becomes an opportunity to showcase who we are and to be the only local live sport playing in a two to three month window is exceptional," Forrest said.