EL PASO, Texas – Postseason soccer returns to the Borderplex for the first time since 2021 when No. 4 seed El Paso Locomotive FC plays host to No. 5 seed Phoenix Rising FC in the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2025 USL Championship Playoffs presented by Terminix on Saturday night with the sides having played a pair of thrilling contests previously this regular season. Kickoff at Southwest University Park is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Here’s what you need to know.

How They Got Here

El Paso Locomotive FC (10-9-11, 41pts) – After finishing last in the West a season ago, El Paso Locomotive took a major step forward in Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera’s first full season at the helm. The side produced two double-digit goalscorers in Amando Moreno and Andy Cabrera as it ranked sixth in the league with 47 goals in the regular season, but suffered from inconsistency defensively in allowing 45 goals, resulting in an up-and-down campaign that saw it win consecutive games only twice but also compile one six-game undefeated streak and two five-game undefeated streaks that ultimately earned the side a top-four spot in the West. The hope now for the side will be that it can rebound from a heavy defeat to in-state rival San Antonio FC in its regular season finale and claim its first postseason win since reaching the Western Conference Final in the 2020 season.

Phoenix Rising FC (9-8-13, 40pts) – The 2023 title-winners earned a third consecutive trip to the playoffs while boasting one of the youngest lineups in the USL Championship under new Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah, which produced some moments of attacking brilliance and defensive challenges that appeared to be rectified late in the campaign. Rising recorded 48 goals in the regular season as the quartet of Charlie Dennis, Ihsan Sacko, Remi Cabral and Hope Avayevu combined for 26 goals, while Avayevu tied for second in the league with 10 assists while notching 50 chances created. The side also conceded 48 times, however, but late in the campaign Rising tightened up, posting shutouts in each of its final three games as the side as the side lost only once in its last 11 outings.

All-Time Series

Phoenix Rising FC has gone 5-2-6 in its prior meetings with El Paso Locomotive FC, including taking victory when the sides met in the 2020 Western Conference Final. This season the teams played to a 4-4 draw at Southwest University Park that saw Rising rally from a three-goal deficit in the final 25 minutes, a 3-3 draw at Phoenix Rising Stadium that saw Locomotive rally from a three-goal deficit in the final 20 minutes, and a 2-2 draw in the group stage of the USL Jagermeister Cup that saw Rising take a 7-6 victory from the spot.

Opta Says

9 – El Paso Locomotive FC recorded nine goals from corner kicks during the regular season, the most of any team in the league, providing the majority of the club’s 15 goals from set pieces.

23 – Phoenix Rising FC scored 23 goals in the final half-hour of games in the regular season, accounting for almost half of the 48 goals the side scored in the campaign.

Players to Watch

El Paso Locomotive FC – Amando Moreno: The El Salvador international bagged 10 goals in his second season for Locomotive, taking him to 50 regular season goals for his career, and Moreno has scored five goals in seven prior appearances against Phoenix, tied for his most against an opponent in his career.

Phoenix Rising FC – Hope Avayevu: The 23-year-old was one of the league’s breakout performers with six goals and 10 assists in the regular season, ranking sixth in the league in goal contributions, while leading Rising with a +6.49 Goals Added mark.

Uniforms

Discipline Report

El Paso Locomotive FC – No suspensions

Phoenix Rising FC – No suspensions

Officials
REF: Jeremy Scheer
AR1: Joe Suchoski
AR2: Ben Rigel
4TH: Rodrigo Albuquerque