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THE MORNING TEA – Locomotive FC’s Gomez Speaks Softly, Plays Big

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 08/15/20, 7:30AM EDT

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USL’s Edwards talks about league’s return to play; Tinari starting to shine for New Mexico

We’ve got 15 USL Championship games slated for tonight – including a rematch of the 2019 Western Conference Final, a clash between the top two teams in Group B, and a meeting of two group leaders in the Eastern Conference – and then a matchup between Florida rivals to close out the weekend. Here’s your Morning Tea for Saturday. 

 

THE BIG STORY

Since he arrived at El Paso Locomotive FC last year, Josue Aaron Gomez has been one of the most effective attackers in the USL Championship.

But you shouldn’t expect the El Paso native to be the one to tell you.

As noted this week by the El Paso Times’ Bret Bloomquist, Gomez has a reputation as one of the quietest players on the team that gladly passes off credit to coaches and teammates around him.

“The coach trains us very well, he tells us how to do things, we do what he says and we try to do it,” Gomez told Bloomquist. “We’ve had good results with the high press and keeping possession. We want to keep with that same style as we are going down a good path.

“I think training every day with a lot of energy and the right attitude, it has been great that I’ve been able to get the goals.”

Gomez arrived in El Paso a season ago on loan from Borderplex neighbor FC Juarez, which after earning promotion is currently competing in Liga MX. After finding the net last week in Locomotive FC’s 4-2 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, he’s scored 11 goals in 15 starts for the side, and overall is averaging a goal every 125.7 minutes in the Championship’s regular season.

That puts him in some pretty good company. Among those that have scored at least 10 goals since the start of the 2019 regular season, Gomez is close to the strike rate of players like two-time All-League selection Daniel Rios, now with Nashville SC in Major League Soccer, and a fraction behind former Real Monarchs SLC forward Douglas Martinez (117.8 mins/goal) and Phoenix Rising FC’s Junior Flemmings (121.5 mins/goal).

“I think he's brilliant, I think Aarón is a fantastic player,” Locomotive FC Head Coach Mark Lowry told Bloomquist. “Not just his goals, not just his quality on the ball, but the way he works, the way he runs, the fight. He gives everything he's got every time out.

“He's a player who deserves all the credit, all the plaudits, all the goals because he is a fantastic forward because he gives himself to the team. He's not selfish, he's not up there thinking about goals for himself, he's not up there not running around, he works for the team.”

Gomez could have a big role to play in one of Saturday night’s key games in the Championship. El Paso travels to face Real Monarchs SLC in the first meeting between the teams since the 2019 Western Conference Final at Zion’s Bank Stadium with crucial points in the race for the playoffs in Group C of the Championship on the line.

If he can add to his already impressive tally, it could help El Paso take another strong step forward toward a playoff place. Certainly, his mindset seems to be in the right place for success.

“I'm very relaxed, very happy and we have to keep working,” he told Bloomquist.

 

THIS WEEKEND'S ACTION

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15


Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. New Mexico United

(1-3-1)
Group C

5:00 p.m. ET |
Venue: Weidner Field

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: COS Wins 29% | Draw 24% | NM Wins 47%
(3-2-1)
Group C
The Gist: The Switchbacks and New Mexico will both be looking to rebound from defeats last time out as they meet at Weidner Field. Colorado Springs produced a late rally against El Paso Locomotive as Uvaldo Luna scored twice after coming on as a substitute in the Switchbacks’ visit to Southwest University Park but they proved only a consolation in a 4-2 defeat that left the side on the bottom of Group C. United currently sits on top of the group standings, but will be hoping to replicate its 2-1 victory in July that saw Chris Wehan score a late winner in its last visit to Weidner Field after suffering defeat on the road to Phoenix Rising FC last Saturday.
Discipline: None

Charlotte Independence vs. Memphis 901 FC

(1-1-3)
Group G

7:00 p.m. ET |
Venue: Sportsplex at Matthews

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: CLT Wins 45% | Draw 26% | MEM Wins 28%
(1-3-2)
Group G
The Gist: The Independence continue their homestand with their second game this season against Memphis on Saturday night. The two sides met at AutoZone Park on July 25 and played to a 2-2 draw that saw 901 FC twice take the lead and the Independence twice find an equalizer to leave honors even. Charlotte is still looking for its first win since the resumption of the season, however, after being denied on Wednesday night by a stoppage-time goal from Mikey Lopez of Birmingham Legion FC that gave the visitors a 1-1 draw. Memphis, meanwhile, is hoping to jump up from the bottom of Group G after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to North Carolina FC that broke a three-game undefeated streak.
Discipline: None

Hartford Athletic vs. New York Red Bulls II

(4-1-0)
Group F

7:00 p.m. ET |
Venue: Dillon Stadium

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: HFD Wins 43% | Draw 23% | NY Wins 33%
(2-5-0)
Group F
The Gist: The Red Bulls II will try to snap a three-game losing streak when it heads to Dillon Stadium to take on Hartford, which has a chance to add to its lead over the three teams below the playoff line in Group F. New York suffered a 2-1 defeat to Loudoun United FC on Wednesday at Red Bull Arena that saw goalkeeper Wallis Lapsley sent off in the 15th minute, with Preston Kilwien’s first professional goal late on only a consolation for the hosts. The Athletic, meanwhile, are coming off a 4-1 victory against that same Loudoun side on August 2 and will have a chance to record their second win against the Red Bulls II this season after Ever Guzman’s tally earned victory when the sides met following the resumption of the season.
Discipline: New York Wallis Lapsley (suspended)

Indy Eleven vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

(5-2-1)
Group E

7:00 p.m. ET |
Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: IND Wins 40% | Draw 29% | PIT Wins 31%
(4-2-0)
Group F
The Gist: Two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference square off again with the Hounds heading to Lucas Oil Stadium hoping to close the gap in overall points on their hosts. Indy grabbed a thrilling late victory at Highmark Stadium when these teams first met on July 22 as Tyler Pasher scored a world-class finish deep in second-half stoppage time to earn three points for the Boys in Blue. Since then, however, Indy’s form has taken a dip with only one win in their last four games including a 1-1 draw on the road against Louisville City FC last Saturday night that saw Pasher score his seventh goal of the season. The Hounds, meanwhile, have recorded four goals in back-to-back victories against the Philadelphia Union II and New York Red Bulls II as they enter this rematch and could move within a point of Indy in the overall standings with a win while still holding two games in hand.
Discipline: None

North Carolina FC vs. Birmingham Legion FC

(2-1-1)
Group G

7:00 p.m. ET |
Venue: WakeMed Soccer Park

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: NC Wins 43% | Draw 28% | BHM Wins 30%
(4-1-2)
Group G
The Gist: Birmingham will be hoping for a more successful trip to Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park as it squares off with North Carolina for the second time this season. Legion FC suffered a 1-0 defeat after being reduced to 10 men in the first half on August 1 when the sides last met, but since then has gone on a three-game undefeated streak that included pulling a late 1-1 draw out on Wednesday night as Mikey Lopez scored deep in second-half stoppage time against the Charlotte Independence. NCFC added a second consecutive victory to its win against Birmingham last weekend when Akeem Ward’s goal was enough for a 1-0 win on the road against Memphis 901 FC, and with a seven-point gap to bridge to Birmingham at the top of Group G – while holding three games in hand – North Carolina could give itself a solid boost toward the group lead with a second home victory against its Alabama rivals.
Discipline: Birmingham Anderson Asiedu (suspended)

Charleston Battery vs. Atlanta United 2

(2-2-2)
Group H

8:00 p.m. ET |
Venue: Patriot´s Point Soccer Complex

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: CHS Wins 57% | Draw 25% | ATL Wins 18%
(1-5-2)
Group H
The Gist: The Battery and Atlanta meet for the fourth and final time this regular season with Charleston looking to maintain its undefeated record this season against the young ATL UTD 2 squad. The Battery took a 3-0 victory when the sides last met at the Patriots Point Soccer Complex on July 24, and the teams subsequently played to a 1-1 draw on August 5 to move Charleston to 2-0-1 on the season against Atlanta. Both teams are looking to get back into the win column after three-game winless streaks, with Charleston coming off back-to-back draws including a 1-1 result against the Charlotte Independence last weekend, while Atlanta is coming off a 2-0 midweek defeat to the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The contest features the potential for a major swing in the Group H playoff race, too. If the Battery find a third win this season, they would move six points clear of Atlanta in the Group H playoff positions. If Atlanta earns victory, it would move level on points with Charleston.
Discipline: Charleston Rennico Clarke (suspended)

Louisville City FC vs. Loudoun United FC

(2-3-1)
Group E

8:00 p.m. ET |
Venue: Lynn Family Stadium

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: LOU Wins 61% | Draw 22% | LDN Wins 17%
(1-2-1)
Group F
The Gist: LouCity will try to make a move up the Group E standings when it hosts a Loudoun side coming off its first victory of the season on Wednesday night. United claimed a 2-1 victory against the New York Red Bulls II as Ted Ku-Dipietro and Elvis Amoh both found the net and will hope to build on that positive result against Louisville. The hosts are in serious need of a win, however, with three defeats in five games since resuming the season. Louisville got out to a flying start against rival Indy Eleven last week, scoring inside the opening 10 minutes through Speedy Williams, but it was unable to capitalize on its momentum and Indy found a second-half equalizer in a 1-1 draw. With a nine-point gap to make up on Group E leader Indy, LouCity needs to start picking up victories at home to push toward the playoff positions.
Discipline: None

OKC Energy FC vs. Rio Grande Valley FC

(1-3-2)
Group D

8:00 p.m. ET |
Venue: Taft Stadium

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: OKC Wins 55% | Draw 25% | RGV Wins 20%
(0-5-2)
Group D
The Gist: The bottom two teams in Group D square off at Taft Stadium both in serious need of a victory to boost their playoff chances on Saturday night. Energy FC is coming off back-to-back home defeats, including a 3-0 loss to group leader San Antonio FC that has seen the side slip to fourth place in the standings after sitting in second not so long ago. The Toros, meanwhile, are still looking for their first win of the season after three consecutive defeats that included a 4-1 loss to Austin Bold FC last Saturday night. With the two teams above them in the group holding games in hand, this is shaping up as a must-win for either to get their playoff chances back on track.
Discipline: Rio Grande Valley Robert Coronado (suspended)

Saint Louis FC vs. Sporting Kansas City II

(3-3-1)
Group E

8:00 p.m. ET |
Venue: West Community Stadium

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: STL Wins 58% | Draw 25% | SKC Wins 17%
(2-3-1)
Group E
The Gist: The two midwestern clubs meet for the second time in 10 days at West Community Stadium with Sporting looking to continue its undefeated run that has pushed it firmly into the playoff picture in Group E. SKC II almost grabbed three points when it last visited STLFC, only for Phanuel Kavita’s stoppage-time equalizer to earn a 1-1 draw for the hosts on August 5. Since then, however, Saint Louis has suffered a 2-0 defeat to FC Tulsa last Saturday night, while Sporting had a week off to recuperate. With a chance to pull level on points with second-place STLFC with victory on the road, SKC II will be hoping for a similar performance – and improved result – this time around.
Discipline: None

San Antonio FC vs. Austin Bold FC

(4-0-2)
Group D

9:00 p.m. ET |
Venue: Toyota Field

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: SA Wins 48% | Draw 24% | ATX Wins 28%
(2-2-0)
Group D
The Gist: San Antonio returns home aiming to record its second victory of the season against its central Texas rival, but Bold FC are in the mood for revenge as they try to close the gap at the top of Group D. SAFC took a 4-2 victory when these sides met on August 1 as Cristian Parano and Luis Solignac both scored late goals after Austin had rallied from a two-goal deficit to level the game early in the second half. Now closer to full strength, Bold FC put up a 4-1 victory last Saturday night as Ish Jome recorded two goals and one assist against Rio Grande Valley FC for its first win since the resumption. San Antonio, meanwhile, played to a 0-0 draw on the road against FC Tulsa, which currently sits second in the group. With an eight-point gap separating first-place SAFC and third-place Austin going into the contest, Bold FC can close the gap and push its postseason chances forward with a win.
Discipline: None

Orange County SC vs. Las Vegas Lights FC

(2-0-2)
Group B

10:00 p.m. ET |
Venue: Championship Soccer Stadium

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: OC Wins 65% | Draw 22% | LV Wins 13%
(0-2-1)
Group B
The Gist: Orange County returns home looking to build on a strong midweek victory as it hosts Las Vegas, which is still searching for its first win of the season. OCSC got a standout goalkeeping display by Frederick Due, who posted a seven-save shutout, and goals from Ugo Okoli and Aodhan Quinn on Wednesday night to take a 2-0 victory against San Diego Loyal SC at Torero Stadium. The night marked Quinn’s 150th regular-season appearance in the Championship as he helped Orange County remain undefeated through four games this season. OCSC must keep on the same track, however, as it now sits three games back of second-place San Diego with three games in hand. Las Vegas, meanwhile, is in need of a serious boost after defeats in its first two games back following the season’s resumption. That could come from forward Blake Frischknecht, with the Las Vegas native signing with Lights FC this week after being cleared for action, but it could be a tall order to find victory against Orange County for the first time in club history.
Discipline: None

Real Monarchs SLC vs. El Paso Locomotive FC

(1-2-1)
Group C

10:00 p.m. ET |
Venue: Zions Bank Stadium

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: SLC Wins 41% | Draw 26% | ELP Wins 33%
(2-2-2)
Group C
The Gist: The first meeting between the Monarchs and Locomotive FC since the Western Conference Final of the 2019 USL Championship Playoffs stands as one of the big games of the weekend, with both teams looking to gain the upper hand in the drive for this year’s playoffs. Real returns to action after a 2-1 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on August 1 that saw Taylor Peay record a stoppage-time winner at Weidner Field for the Monarchs’ first win of the new season. With two games in hand on El Paso – and a four-point gap to make up in the standings – the Monarchs will be hoping their return to Zions Bank Stadium will serve as a good omen. Locomotive FC, however, will be hoping to build on the attacking explosion it produced in a 4-2 victory against the Switchbacks last Saturday that snapped the side out of a scoring slump. If it can, El Paso could have a seven-point edge on the teams chasing it for a playoff place by the end of the night.
Discipline: None

Phoenix Rising FC vs. San Diego Loyal SC

(4-1-1)
Group B

10:30 p.m. ET |
Venue: Casino Arizona Field

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: PHX Wins 68% | Draw 20% | SD Wins 12%
(3-2-2)
Group B
The Gist: Rising FC will try to keep its perfect home record intact when it hosts an SD Loyal side that has been solid on the road so far this season at Casino Arizona Field. Phoenix is 4-0-0 so far at home this year, and its 5-2 victory against New Mexico United last Saturday night pushed it into first place in Group B as the midway point of the season nears. Junior Flemmings scored a hat trick against New Mexico, and is now tied for the league-lead with seven goals this season, while Solomon Asante has notched four goals and five assists this campaign. SD Loyal is coming off a positive performance, but a 2-0 home defeat to Orange County SC on Wednesday night, but is 2-0-0 away from home this season with wins at Tacoma Defiance and Real Monarchs SLC. If San Diego can find a way to break through against Phoenix, it would regain top spot in the group standings.
Discipline: None

Reno 1868 FC vs. Portland Timbers 2

(4-2-0)
Group A

10:30 p.m. ET |
Venue: Greater Nevada Field

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor:RNO Wins 59% | Draw 21% | POR Wins 20%
(0-5-0)
Group A
The Gist: 1868 FC will look to start another winning streak as it welcomes T2 to Greater Nevada Field after suffering a midweek setback. Reno fell 1-0 to rival Sacramento Republic FC in its last outing as a first-half penalty kick proved the difference and saw Republic FC move level on points with Reno at the top of the Group A standings. 1868 FC should have a good chance to rebound against a Portland side that has struggled mightily so far this season in losing all five of its previous outings. Among those was a 4-1 defeat to Reno on July 29 that saw Christiano Francois score twice for the visitors at Providence Park, a performance the Haiti international and his teammates will be eager to replicate.
Discipline: None

Sacramento Republic FC vs. Tacoma Defiance

(3-1-3)
Group A

11:00 p.m. ET |
Venue: Papa Murphy’s Park

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: SAC Wins 55% | Draw 24% | TAC Wins 21%
(2-3-1)
Group A
The Gist: Sacramento will try to increase its lead over Tacoma for second place in the Group A standings when the sides meet for the second time this season. Republic FC is coming off a 1-0 victory on Wednesday night against rival Reno 1868 FC that saw Villyan Bijev score the only goal of the game from the penalty spot. That win moved Sacramento five points ahead of the Defiance in the group standings, and another win on home turf would further extend that lead and solidify Republic FC’s path to the playoffs. Tacoma is looking to rebound from its first loss since the resumption, which also came on the road against Reno as Alec Diaz had a second half penalty kick saved in a 2-1 defeat at Greater Nevada Field. The Defiance have been exciting to watch since the season resumed, however, and rallied for a 3-3 draw against Sacramento when they last visited Papa Murphy’s Park on July 13. A road victory would be a major boost for Tacoma’s playoff chances and tighten the race back up once again.
Discipline: None

SUNDAY, AUGUST 16


Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. The Miami FC

(5-0-2)
Group H

7:30 p.m. ET |
Venue: Al Lang Stadium

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: TBR Wins 50% | Draw 25% | MIA Wins 25%
(0-3-0)
Group H
The Gist: The Rowdies will try to add to a three-game winning streak when they meet Miami FC for the second time in just over a week at Al Lang Stadium. Tampa Bay took an even stronger grip on the lead in Group H on Wednesday night with a 2-0 victory against Atlanta United 2 in Georgia that saw Forrest Lasso and Juan Tejada both find the net. The Rowdies now have a nine-point lead in the group standings over the Charleston Battery, and have recorded three consecutive shutouts to go with their victories. Miami, on the other hand, is still looking for its first points of the season after falling 3-0 to the Rowdies in their last outing on August 7 at Riccardo Silva Stadium. Since that loss, the club has re-installed Paul Dalglish as Head Coach, and he will lead the side for the first time this season against the club he was the first manager for upon its return to action in the 2010 season.
Discipline: None
 

THE SOCIAL CIRCLE

 

THE USL LOWDOWN

- USL President Jake Edwards spoke with the Tampa Bay Times’ Kyle Wood about the resumption of the Championship season and start of USL League One’s second year over the past month, and the overall success the league has found in keeping players and staff safe while returning to action in home markets across the country.

- Andrew Tinari has exchanged his native New York for the scenery of New Mexico this season and is starting to make the sort of impact in the middle of the New Mexico United midfield he had for the Red Bulls II and Tampa Bay Rowdies. Beautiful Game Network’s Carson Merk caught up with him ahead of a key game with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

- The College of Charleston has proven a useful recruiting ground for the Charleston Battery over the years. One of the more recent players to make the jump to the professional ranks in the city was Leland Archer, who the Charleston Post & Courier’s Andrew Miller writes has emerged into a key figure on the Battery back line in his third season at the club after the departures of other veterans.

- Memphis 901 FC has been working with a sense of urgency this week after its loss to North Carolina FC last weekend. The Memphis Commercial-Appeal’s Corinne Kennedy looked ahead to a crucial game on the road tonight that sees 901 FC take on the Charlotte Independence.

- With Loudoun United FC buoyed by its first win of the season in midweek, Louisville City FC is expecting a tough contest from its visitors to Lynn Family Stadium on Saturday. The Louisville Courier-Journal’s Dominique Yates has more on the matchup.

- A back-up for much of his career so far, Rafael Diaz is making the most of his opportunity to step into the starting lineup for Sacramento Republic FC. After three consecutive shutouts, Indomitable City Soccer’s Alicia Rodriguez took a look at the native of the Dominican Republic.

- After coming up through the Toronto FC system, midfielder Aidan Daniels took a diversion to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC to try and forge forward in his career. The Colorado Springs Gazette’s Vinny Benedetto spoke to the 21-year-old about what he hopes to prove this season and moving forward.

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