El Paso Locomotive vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks: Lineups & Substitutions
El Paso, Texas – A hard-fought match at Southwest University Park on , saw El Paso Locomotive FC and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC draw 2-2 in a USL Championship regular season contest. The game, attended by 5,787 spectators, featured a late equalizer from El Paso’s Wilmer Cabrera in the 92nd minute, salvaging a point for the home side.
The match unfolded as a tactical battle, with El Paso controlling possession for 55.2% of the time. Despite dominating the ball, both teams created scoring opportunities, resulting in five shots on goal apiece and a total of 15 shot attempts for El Paso and 5 for Colorado Springs. The game was punctuated by a series of cautions, with three yellow cards issued to El Paso players – Amando Moreno, Eric Calvillo, and Rubio Rubin – and four to the Switchbacks.
El Paso took the lead early in the game through a penalty converted by Marco Micaletto in the 2nd minute. Colorado Springs responded with a goal from Jonas Fjellberg in the 74th minute, seemingly shifting the momentum. However, the Switchbacks briefly took the lead before Cabrera’s dramatic late intervention.
The starting lineups reflected a cautious approach from both managers. El Paso fielded a 5-4-1 formation with Amando Moreno leading the attack, supported by Robert Coronado and Frank Daroma. Colorado Springs opted for a similar setup, relying on Kevin Bennett up front. Substitutions played a key role in the latter stages of the match, with both teams attempting to inject fresh energy and tactical adjustments.
El Paso Locomotive made a series of substitutions throughout the second half. Roberto Avila replaced Bryant Farkarlun in the 65th minute, followed by Daniel Abitia for Amando Moreno in the 71st. Álvaro Quezada came on for Kevin Hoban and David Gomez for Eric Calvillo in the 84th minute, and finally, Oscar Mora replaced Rubio Rubin in the 85th minute. Colorado Springs responded with their own changes, bringing on Jose Tejada for Adrien Perez in the 71st minute, Jørgen Fjeldberg for Levonte Johnson in the 77th, and Duke Lacroix for Isaiah Foster in the 86th minute.
The draw leaves both teams with 10 points after 11 games played, placing them in a congested mid-table position. El Paso currently sits on 41 points, while Colorado Springs trails slightly with 37. The result does little to alter the broader landscape of the USL Championship, where several teams remain closely matched.
The match was officiated by Elijio Arreguin, and broadcast on ESPN+. The game took place against a backdrop of wider unrest within the USL Championship, as players from Lexington SC and Louisville City FC initiated a silent protest prior to their match on Friday, halting play for one minute to demonstrate against stalled Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations. This protest highlights growing tensions between players and league management regarding working conditions and player rights.
Looking ahead, both El Paso Locomotive FC and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC will need to build on this result and address areas for improvement. For El Paso, maintaining possession and converting chances will be crucial. Colorado Springs will likely focus on tightening their defense and capitalizing on counter-attacking opportunities. The USL Championship season is still in its early stages, and both teams have ample opportunity to climb the standings.
The tactical formations employed by both sides suggest a pragmatic approach to the league. El Paso’s reliance on a five-man defense indicates a focus on solidity, while Colorado Springs’ similar setup suggests a desire to remain compact and difficult to break down. The substitutions made by both managers demonstrate a willingness to adapt to changing game situations and exploit weaknesses in the opposition.
The game also highlighted the importance of set pieces, with El Paso’s opening goal coming from a penalty. The ability to win and convert penalties, as well as defend set pieces effectively, will be vital for both teams as the season progresses. The relatively low number of shots on goal, despite the high possession percentage for El Paso, suggests that both defenses were well-organized and disciplined.
The attendance of 5,787 at Southwest University Park demonstrates a growing interest in USL Championship soccer in El Paso. The club will be hoping to build on this support and attract even larger crowds as the season unfolds. The atmosphere at the stadium was reportedly lively, with fans from both sides creating a passionate environment.