EL PASO, Texas – Second-half substitute Andrew Fox scored the only goal as El Paso Locomotive FC took a 1-0 victory against Sacramento Republic FC on Wednesday night at Southwest University Park, earning a split in the season series between the two clubs as Locomotive FC jumped past Sacramento in the Western Conference standings.

The sides exchanged early chances as Matt Bahner sent a looping volley over the crossbar from a corner kick for the hosts in just the second minute, while Emil Cuello headed just over the top-left corner of the net off a cross from the right by Jack Gurr six minutes later. Cuello threatened again after a designed corner kick from the right by Gurr found the attacking midfielder as he arrived late to hit on the volley from the top of the penalty area, only for the effort to deflect into the hands of El Paso goalkeeper Evan Newton, but the teams went to the halftime break with limited chances and no goals.

El Paso tried to find a breakthrough inside the opening minute of the second half as Dylan Mares curled a shot wide of the right post before Sacramento’s Lee Desmond made a crucial block at the top of the six-yard area to deny a chance for Mares after Luis Solignac’s heel-flick pass off a cross from the left set up a shot for his teammate. Solignac went close himself a few minutes later as he controlled a throw-in from the right on his chest, took one additional touch to control and then fired a turning volley that went just wide of the left post.

Locomotive FC grabbed the lead with 15 minutes to go, however, as Fox stole in at the far post on a corner kick from the left by Mares and volleyed home a finish that Sacramento’s Danny Vitiello was unable to keep out before it crossed the goal line. Republic FC was then reduced to 10 men when Douglas Martinez Jr. was sent off with nine minutes to go after appearing to strike El Paso’s Yuma after being pulled down in a tussle for possession in the center circle.

Locomotive FC went close to a second to ice the game in stoppage time as Diego Luna set up Solignac for a first-time finish that Vitiello palmed wide of the right post. Republic FC then almost provided a late twist after a free kick from the right channel was swung into the penalty area and fell for Luther Archimede, but the Guadeloupe international fired wide of the right post. The final whistle sounded before the goal kick could be taken, lifting El Paso into the playoff positions in the Western Conference.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Match

Dylan Mares, El Paso Locomotive FC – Mares provided the assist on Andrew Fox’s goal and had three shots and three chances created overall while completing 55 of 64 passes in a solid overall display.

Scoring Summary
ELP – Andrew Fox (Dylan Mares) 75’

Full Box Score