EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Locomotive FC announced on Friday the club had signed defender Tony Alfaro ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval. 

Alfaro joins Locomotive FC having most recently competed for the LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer. The 30-year-old has spent six seasons overall in the top flight, logging 4,841 minutes over 91 appearances having also previously competed for New York City FC, D.C. United and Seattle Sounders FC.

"It was important for us to secure a tenacious central defender good on the ball like Tony, and I am excited to welcome him to our city and club,” said El Paso Head Coach and Technical Director Brian Clarhaut. “He is an experienced left-footed center-back with a ton of experience in MLS and he will be a great asset to anchor the Locomotive backline.”

"I’m excited to experience a new challenge in El Paso and continue to add to the winning culture,” said Alfaro. “I hope that with my leadership and experience, I can contribute to this team’s continued growth.”

Analysis

El Paso’s addition of Tony Alfaro brings an experienced head who has prior experience in the Championship in addition to seeing 46 starts in his 74 regular season appearances. The 30-year-old competed both on loan with the Tacoma Defiance and signed with Reno 1868 FC for the abbreviated 2020 campaign in which 1868 FC ended the regular season with the league’s best record.

Alfaro should fit into the style that Locomotive FC is aiming to play this season. As a passer, he ranked in the 66th percentile in MLS with 3.56 progressive passes per 90 minutes and has the footwork to step out of pressure, an essential part of being a consistent center back. After its ups and downs defensively in 2023, Locomotive FC should get better if Alfaro is a consistent presence in the lineup next season.