EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Locomotive FC announced on Friday that the club had exercised its contract option on long-time captain and veteran defender Yuma, who will return for the 2024 USL Championship season.

The 38-year-old joined Locomotive FC ahead of its inaugural 2019 season and has since become the club’s most iconic figure throughout five seasons. The Spaniard has been a high-caliber and vocal leader for the club since its debut in the USL Championship, playing a major role in the club’s on-field success each step along the way, which includes the 2019 and 2020 Western Conference Final appearances and lifting the 2021 Copa Tejas.

“It was important that we keep Yuma in El Paso for 2024,” said Locomotive FC Head Coach and Technical Director Brian Clarhaut. “It goes without saying how important he is to our team, organization and community. Yuma is a fierce competitor, which I see daily in training and our fans see during games. He had a knee injury last year, but he has been working extremely hard to get back stronger and better than ever. He will set the tone for our winning culture here and given the influx of new faces in our team, it’s important to have veteran leadership and that’s what Yuma is.”  

Yuma is one of only four players in Locomotive history to log more than 100 matches across all competitions (108) and has three assists to his name. He leads the club record books in various defensive stats, including blocks (49), interceptions (129) and clearances (254). 

“I’m very excited to continue into my sixth season with Locomotive and to continue representing the city of El Paso, a city that has become my home,” said the veteran defender.

Analysis

El Paso Locomotive FC will be hoping one of the club’s talismans can return to close to his best this season after a 2023 campaign that saw him record his fewest appearances (11) and minutes (946) in his five seasons with the club. The 38-year-old had by most measures his best campaign for the side in 2022, so it’s not out of the question that he can rebound, even as the end of his playing career nears.

Tied with Richie Ryan for the second-most appearances in the USL Championship in Locomotive FC colors with 105, he should surpass 10,000 minutes for the club this season as he looks to re-establish himself in the middle of an El Paso back line that will be aiming for more consistency in the 2024 season.