2026 El Paso Locomotive FC season
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
El Paso Locomotive FC 2026 soccer season
Head coachJunior Gonzalez
StadiumSouthwest University Park, El Paso, TX
USLCWestern Conference:
USL CupTBD
| 2026 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Junior Gonzalez | ||
| Stadium | Southwest University Park, El Paso, TX | ||
| USLC | Western Conference: | ||
| USL Cup | TBD | ||
| Copa Tejas Shield | TBD | ||
|
| |||
| All statistics correct as of March 28, 2026 (UTC). | |||
The 2026 El Paso Locomotive FC season is the eigtht season for El Paso Locomotive FC in the USL Championship, the second tier of professional soccer in the United States.[1]
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach |  Brian Clarhaut[2] |
| Assistant coach | Marina Schachowskoj |
| Assistant coach | Gianluca Masucci |
| Assistant coach | Jon Burklo[3] |
| Goalkeeping coach |  Juan Carlos "JC" Garzon |
| Coordinator, equipment and player operations | Saul Soto |
Roster
- As of February 18, 2026[4]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Competitive fixtures
USL Championship
Main article: 2026 USL Championship season
Standings — Western Conference
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orange County SC | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 15 | Playoffs |
| 2 | San Antonio FC | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 15 | |
| 3 | El Paso Locomotive FC | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 8 | +8 | 13 | |
| 4 | Sacramento Republic FC | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 10 | |
| 5 | Oakland Roots SC | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 9 | |
| 6 | Phoenix Rising FC | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 8 | +3 | 9 | |
| 7 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 10 | +2 | 8 | |
| 8 | New Mexico United | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 8 | −3 | 6 | |
| 9 | Lexington SC | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 8 | −2 | 6 | |
| 10 | FC Tulsa | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | −2 | 6 | |
| 11 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 11 | −2 | 5 | |
| 12 | Monterey Bay FC | 7 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 14 | −11 | 2 |
Updated to match(es) played on April 21, 2026. Source: USL Championship Standings
Rules for classification: 1) total wins against conference opponents; 2) goal differential against conference opponents; 3) goals scored against conference opponents; 4) head-to-head points against conference opponents; 5) points per game against conference opponents; 6) points per game against non-conference opponents; 7) fewest disciplinary points; 8) coin toss or drawing of lots
Rules for classification: 1) total wins against conference opponents; 2) goal differential against conference opponents; 3) goals scored against conference opponents; 4) head-to-head points against conference opponents; 5) points per game against conference opponents; 6) points per game against non-conference opponents; 7) fewest disciplinary points; 8) coin toss or drawing of lots
Match results
On December 16, 2025, the USL Championship released the schedule for all 25 teams for both the regular season and the USL Cup.[5][6]
All times are in Mountain Time.
El Paso Locomotive FC v Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
| March 7 1 | El Paso Locomotive FC | 2–2 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | El Paso, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. |
|
Report | Stadium: Southwest University Park Attendance: 6,079 Referee: Muhammad Hassan |
Monterey Bay FC v El Paso Locomotive FC
| March 14 2 | Monterey Bay FC | 0–3 | El Paso Locomotive FC | Seaside, California |
| 8:00 p.m. |
|
Report | Stadium: Cardinale Stadium Attendance: 2,950 Referee: Servando Berna Rico |
Sacramento Republic FC v El Paso Locomotive FC
| March 28 3 | Sacramento Republic FC | 1–2 | El Paso Locomotive FC | Sacramento, California |
| 8:00 p.m. | Benítez  90'+2' (pen.) |
Report | Stadium: Heart Health Park Attendance: 8,072 Referee: Trevor Wiseman |
El Paso Locomotive FC v Las Vegas Lights FC
| April 4 4 | El Paso Locomotive FC | 3–2 | Las Vegas Lights FC | El Paso, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. | Report | Stadium: Southwest University Park Attendance: 5,432 Referee: Benjamin Meyer |
Hartford Athletic v El Paso Locomotive FC
| April 11 5 | Hartford Athletic | 0–4 | El Paso Locomotive FC | Hartford, Connecticut |
| 6:00 p.m. | Report | Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Attendance: 3,299 Referee: Calin Radosav |
El Paso Locomotive FC v San Antonio FC
| April 18 6 | El Paso Locomotive FC | 2–3 | San Antonio FC | El Paso, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. | Report | Stadium: Southwest University Park Referee: Rodrigo Albuquerque |
El Paso Locomotive FC v FC Tulsa
| April 29 7 | El Paso Locomotive FC | – | FC Tulsa | El Paso, Texas |
| 8:00 p.m. | Stadium: Southwest University Park |
New Mexico United v El Paso Locomotive FC
| May 6 8 | New Mexico United | v | El Paso Locomotive FC | Albuquerque |
| 7:00 p.m. | Stadium: Isotopes Park |
Oakland Roots v El Paso Locomotive FC
| May 9 9 | Oakland Roots | v | El Paso Locomotive FC | Oakland, California |
| 8:00 p.m. | Stadium: Oakland Coliseum |
El Paso Locomotive FC v Lexington SC
| May 30 10 | El Paso Locomotive FC | – | Lexington SC | El Paso, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. | Stadium: Southwest University Park |
Detroit City FC v El Paso Locomotive FC
| June 10 11 | Detroit City FC | v | El Paso Locomotive FC | Hamtramck, Michigan |
| 6:30 p.m. | Stadium: Keyworth Stadium |
El Paso Locomotive FC v Phoenix Rising FC
| June 13 12 | El Paso Locomotive FC | – | Phoenix Rising FC | El Paso, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. | Stadium: Southwest University Park |
Monterey Bay FC v El Paso Locomotive FC
| June 20 13 | Monterey Bay FC | v | El Paso Locomotive FC | Seaside, California |
| 8:00 p.m. | Stadium: Cardinale Stadium |
Las Vegas Lights FC v El Paso Locomotive FC
| July 4 14 | Las Vegas Lights FC | v | El Paso Locomotive FC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 8:30 p.m. | Stadium: Cashman Field |
FC Tulsa v El Paso Locomotive FC
| July 18 15 | FC Tulsa | v | El Paso Locomotive FC | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| 6:30 p.m. | Stadium: ONEOK Field |
El Paso Locomotive FC v Sporting Club Jacksonville
| July 25 16 | El Paso Locomotive FC | – | Sporting Club Jacksonville | El Paso, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. | Stadium: Southwest University Park |
Orange County SC v El Paso Locomotive FC
| August 1 17 | Orange County SC | v | El Paso Locomotive FC | Irvine, California |
| 8:00 p.m. | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
El Paso Locomotive FC v Monterey Bay FC
| August 5 18 | El Paso Locomotive FC | – | Monterey Bay FC | El Paso, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. | Stadium: Southwest University Park |
El Paso Locomotive FC v Oakland Roots SC
| August 8 19 | El Paso Locomotive FC | – | Oakland Roots SC | El Paso, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. | Stadium: Southwest University Park |
San Antonio FC v El Paso Locomotive FC
| August 15 20 | San Antonio FC | v | El Paso Locomotive FC | San Antonio, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. | Stadium: Toyota Field |
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC v El Paso Locomotive FC
| August 22 21 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | v | El Paso Locomotive FC | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| 7:00 p.m. | Stadium: Weidner Field |
El Paso Locomotive FC v Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
| August 26 22 | El Paso Locomotive FC | – | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | El Paso, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. | Stadium: Southwest University Park |
El Paso Locomotive FC v Loudoun United FC
| August 29 23 | El Paso Locomotive FC | – | Loudoun United FC | El Paso, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. | Stadium: Southwest University Park |
Louisville City FC v El Paso Locomotive FC
| September 12 24 | Louisville City FC | v | El Paso Locomotive FC | Louisville, Kentucky |
| 6:00 p.m. | Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium |
Phoenix Rising FC v El Paso Locomotive FC
| September 19 25 | Phoenix Rising FC | v | El Paso Locomotive FC | Phoenix, Arizona |
| 8:00 p.m. | Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium |
El Paso Locomotive FC v FC Tulsa
| September 25 26 | El Paso Locomotive FC | – | FC Tulsa | El Paso, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. | Stadium: Southwest University Park |
Lexington SC v El Paso Locomotive FC
| October 3 27 | Lexington SC | v | El Paso Locomotive FC | Lexington, Kentucky |
| 6:00 p.m. | Stadium: Lexington SC Stadium |
El Paso Locomotive FC v Orange County SC
| October 10 28 | El Paso Locomotive FC | – | Orange County SC | El Paso, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. | Stadium: Southwest University Park |
El Paso Locomotive FC v Sacramento Republic FC
| October 17 29 | El Paso Locomotive FC | – | Sacramento Republic FC | El Paso, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. | Stadium: Southwest University Park |
El Paso Locomotive FC v New Mexico United
| October 24 30 | El Paso Locomotive FC | – | New Mexico United | El Paso, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. | Stadium: Southwest University Park |
U.S. Open Cup
Main article: 2026 U.S. Open Cup
The Locomotive entered the 2026 US Open Cup at home against fellow Texan soccer club Laredo Heat SC, an amateur club that plays in the USL League Two.[7] Following an easy route of Heat,[8] El Paso was matched up at away against fellow USL Championship club New Mexico United,[9] who they beat comfortably by four goals.[10] Following their victory, the Locomotive are scheduled away against fellow Texan club Houston Dynamo FC of first-division MLS.[11]
Laredo Heat SC (USL2) v El Paso Locomotive FC (USLC)
| March 19 Round 1 | Laredo Heat SC (USL2) | 0–2 | El Paso Locomotive FC (USLC) | Laredo, Texas |
| 8:30 PM ET | Report | Stadium: PEG Energy Stadium Attendance: 450 Referee: Edgar García |
New Mexico United (USLC) 
v 
El Paso Locomotive FC (USLC)
v El Paso Locomotive FC (USLC)
| April 1 Round 2 | New Mexico United (USLC) | 0–4 | El Paso Locomotive FC (USLC) | Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| 9:30 p.m. ET | Report | Stadium: UNM Soccer Complex Referee: Rodrigo Albuquerque |
Houston Dynamo FC (MLS) v El Paso Locomotive FC (USLC)
| April 15 Round of 32 | Houston Dynamo FC (MLS) | 4–1 | El Paso Locomotive FC (USLC) | Houston, Texas |
| 8:00 PM ET | Report |
|
Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium Referee: Trevor Wiseman |
References
- ↑ Bloomquist, Bret. "El Paso Locomotive open 2026 season with a tie to fire up fan base". El Paso Times. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
- ↑ Huichapa, Alberto (December 15, 2022). "El Paso Locomotive Announce Brian Clarhaut as New Head Coach and Technical Director". www.ElPasoLocomotiveFC.com. El Paso Locomotive. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ↑ Huichapa, Alberto (January 21, 2023). "El Paso Locomotive Hire Jon Burklo as an Assistant Coach". El Paso Locomotive FC. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ↑ "El Paso Locomotive FC Roster". uslchampionship.com. USL Championship. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
- ↑ USLSoccer.com Staff (December 16, 2025). "USL Championship Announces 2026 Schedule". USL Championship. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
- ↑ "2026 Schedule". USL Championship. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
- ↑ USLChampionship Staff (January 27, 2026). "U.S. Soccer announces draw for First Round of 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup". USL League Two. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
- ↑ Mack, Jason (March 20, 2026). "2026 US Open Cup Round 1: Abitia Leon's emotional goal lifts El Paso Locomotive past Laredo Heat". Retrieved March 28, 2026.
- ↑ "U.S. Soccer Reveals 16-Match Schedule for Second Round of 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup". ussoccer.com. Retrieved March 27, 2026.
- ↑ Barron, James (April 1, 2026). "New Mexico United's struggles continue in U.S. Open Cup loss to El Paso Locomotive". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
- ↑ Bloomquist, Bret. "El Paso Locomotive draw MLS side Houston Dynamo in Open Cup road game". El Paso Times. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
| |||||
| Key personnel |
| ||||
| Stadiums |
| ||||
| Rivalries | |||||
| |||||