El Paso Locomotive FC beat Laredo Heat SC 2-0 in opening round of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
LAREDO, Texas – March 19, 2026 – El Paso Locomotive FC advanced to the second round of the Lamar Hunt U. S. Open Cup with a 2–0 victory over Laredo Heat SC on Thursday night at PEG Energy Stadium.
After a scoreless first half, Locomotive broke through early in the second period and never looked back, controlling the tempo […]
LAREDO, Texas – March 19, 2026 – El Paso Locomotive FC advanced to the second round of the Lamar Hunt U. S. Open Cup with a 2–0 victory over Laredo Heat SC on Thursday night at PEG Energy Stadium.
After a scoreless first half, Locomotive broke through early in the second period and never looked back, controlling the tempo and limiting Laredo’s chances down the stretch. Diego Abitia opened the scoring in the 51 st minute, finishing off a key attacking sequence to give El Paso the lead. Locomotive continued to press and eventually doubled their advantage late, as Rubio Rubín sealed the match in the 89 th minute with the finish.
Locomotive controlled 52. 6% of possession and matched Laredo with 15 total shot attempts, while putting seven shots on target compared to Laredo’s six. Los Locos also generated more attacking pressure from set pieces, earning eight corner kicks to Laredo’s five.