Locomotive Lose In The Valley Of The Sun

El Paso Locomotive FC dropped its second match in a row losing to Phoenix Rising FC 3-1 Saturday night in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Locos failed to maintain a lead that they established in the 15th minutes to lose by two goals. The only bit of positive news for El Paso that came as a result of last night was that they remain in second place in their group (Group C) of the USL Championship. It should also be noted however, that the two teams below them in their group have played 4 matches this season while the Locomotive have played five.

The team from the 915 jumped out to an early lead in the 15th minute when Dylan Mares played a through ball to Aaron Gomez who was on a run towards goal. Gomez got to the balled and toe it past the Phoenix Goalkeeper Eric Dick.

The lead would be for short lived for the visiting side as less than 3 minutes later, first time center referee, Alan Martinez Loyola would call a penalty kick on a phantom contact supposedly committed by Drew Beckie on Samuel Stanton. The kick would be taken by Rufat Dadashov who would get the kick past Locos goalkeeper Logan Ketterer to even the score 1-1.

The Rising would put the ball in the back of the net two more times in first half.

Solomon Asante would score off a run and down the right flank when he met up with a through ball who was serviced by Dadashov in the 36th minute. Ketterer did not have a chance to stop the right footed strike.

The final goal of the half and of the match would come in stoppage time when Junior Flemmings would create his own space in the Locos goalbox to take his shot in the upper center of the goals getting it past Ketterer’s hands.

The second half would see a Locos play better than the home team and create several chances on goal but failed to get the ball in the back of the net. Phoenix goalkeeper Eric Dick would be directly responsible for that on a couple of occasions.
Up next for the Locos will be a home match against a group rival the Colorado Springs Switchbacks. The match will take place next Saturday, August 8th at Southwest University Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 730pm MST.