EL PASO, Texas – The fastest goal in the USL Championship this season by Luis Solignac proved the difference as El Paso Locomotive FC brought Rio Grande Valley FC’s perfect start to the season to an end with a 1-0 victory at Southwest University Park on Saturday night.   

Having last season tied the USL Championship’s record for the fastest goal to start a game, Solignac wrote himself into Locomotive FC’s record book to start Saturday’s contest as he quickly closed down Toros goalkeeper Tyler Deric as he looked to clear and blocked the ball into the open net after just 18 seconds to give the hosts the lead.

The Toros looked to respond quickly, and almost did in the seventh minute when John Sanchez eluded a defender with his first touch and fired a shot from 20 yards toward the top-right corner that produced an excellent diving save from El Paso’s Adrian Zendejas. The hosts then went close again in the 10th minute as an inch-perfect ball over the top by Mechack Jerome met Nick Ross in stride, but the midfielder’s volleyed finish dipped just over the crossbar.

Christian Sorto again went close for the visitors seven minute later with a shot from the edge of the penalty area that just flew wide of the right post, while Deric made a big stop as the game ticked into first-half stoppage time as a cross by El Paso’s Eder Borelli from the left redirected on goal off a defender and on target.

The second half produced fewer clear-cut chances, but El Paso almost doubled its lead with 20 minutes to go as Solignac delivered an angled cross from the right into the left side of the penalty area that Josue Aaron Gomez caught well on the volley but just steered wide of the right post. But after the visitors were reduced to 10 men with 10 minutes to go as Elvis Amoh was sent off after receiving his second yellow card of the game, Locomotive FC was able to see out the remaining minutes to earn its first win of the season.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Luis Solignac, El Paso Locomotive FC – Solignac provided the only goal of the game and linked up well with his teammates, completing 23 of 29 passes and one key pass while finishing with four total shots.

Scoring Summary
ELP – Luis Solignac 1’

Full Box Score