Locomotive Lose 2-0 To An Unimpressive Phoenix Rising

El Paso Locomotive FC suffered their second defeat of the 2019 season losing to the Phoenix Rising by the score of 2-0 Saturday night at Southwest University Park. The score is rather deceptive when taking into consideration what actually transpired on the field of play.

The Locomotive had an uphill battle for the majority of the 90 minutes going down 1-0 in the 7th minute of play when El Paso goalkeeper Logan Ketterer tripped backpedaling allowing Junior Flemmings of Phoenix to go right past him for the tap in goal.

The Locos quickly settle into their style of play, going about their business and dominating ball possession. El Paso would create constant attacks but would ultimately fail to have that final touch in the offensive third to put the ball in the back of the net.

This kind of execution is highly commendable considering 4 of the regular starting 11 for the Locomotive were out due to injury.

The second goal for the visiting side would come in the 77th minute of play when Ben Spencer would receive a cross pass on his run to goal and put the ball in the back of the net for the second score of the night.

After the match an upset Mark Lowry, head coach for El Paso said, “ We got to the attacking third a lot, we broke their pressure a lot...I think that final pass eluded us. The passes would be a little bit too strong, we over hit some crosses.” Lowry continued, “I was very happy with how the team performed, they’re hurting right now because they know how well they did. They’re disappointed with the result as they would, they’re winners, these guys expect to win as do I.”

Regarding the fact that, scoring line aside, the Locos were off a better team that the Rising a team that his considered to be one of the best in the USL, Lowry stated, “That’s what we have to keep in our minds, not get too much wrapped up in the score line or the hurt that get when losing a game.”
Up next for El Paso will be a road test in central Texas. They will face the Austin Bold at the Circuit of the Americas.