If you spent any time at Southwest University Park last summer, you know the vibe was different. People weren't just showing up for the nachos anymore. They were watching a team that finally stopped spinning its wheels and actually started climbing the ladder. Honestly, looking at the El Paso Locomotive FC standings from the 2025 season tells a story that the bare numbers usually hide.
Most folks see a 4th-place finish and think, "Okay, cool, they made the playoffs." But for Los Locos, that 4th spot in the Western Conference was a massive statement after the frustrations of 2024.
Where the Locomotive Landed: Breaking Down the 2025 Standings
Let’s get the hard data out of the way first. El Paso finished the 2025 USL Championship regular season with 41 points. They fought their way to a record of 10 wins, 11 draws, and 9 losses.
It wasn't always pretty.
The Western Conference was a total meat grinder last year. FC Tulsa ran away with the top spot at 57 points, but the middle of the pack was a chaotic mess. Sacramento Republic and New Mexico United were neck-and-neck at 48 points, leaving El Paso to lead the second tier of playoff contenders. They barely edged out Phoenix Rising (40 points) and San Antonio FC (40 points) to secure that crucial home playoff seed.
Key Regular Season Metrics
- Final Position: 4th in Western Conference
- Total Points: 41
- Goal Difference: +2 (47 scored, 45 conceded)
- Home Record: 6-5-4
- Away Record: 4-6-5
Think about that goal difference for a second. +2. It’s thin. It tells you that Wílmer Cabrera’s squad was living on the edge almost every single week. They weren't blowing teams out of the water, aside from that wild 6-0 thrashing of Las Vegas Lights in August. Mostly, they were grinding.
The Players Who Kept the Needle Moving
You can't talk about the El Paso Locomotive FC standings without talking about Andy Cabrera. The kid was electric. Finishing the league campaign with 10 goals (13 across all competitions), he became the focal point that defenses just couldn't solve.
Then there’s Amando Moreno.
Moreno is basically the heartbeat of the attack. He didn't just score 10 goals himself; he created 57 shots. That’s a massive volume of pressure. When you look at why El Paso stayed in the top four, it’s because Moreno and Eric Calvillo (4 goals, 4 assists) were relentless in the transition game.
Defensively, it was a bit of a rollercoaster. Tony Alfaro and Arturo "Palermo" Ortiz provided some veteran steel, but conceding 45 goals is something the coaching staff is definitely losing sleep over this offseason. Jahmali Waite was busy—way too busy—racking up 49 saves and 4 clean sheets. He kept them in games they had no business being in.
Why the 2025 Finish Matters for the 2026 Season
We are currently sitting in the lull before the 2026 storm, and the front office isn't sitting still. They’ve already made some "statement" moves that suggest 4th place isn't the ceiling anymore.
Junior Gonzalez has taken the reins as Head Coach, and he’s already raiding the league for talent. Bringing in Rubio Rubín? That’s huge. Rubín is a Guatemala international who just came off a solid year with Charleston Battery. Pairing him with a returning Moreno and the newly re-signed Eric Calvillo makes this attack look terrifying on paper.
Current 2026 Roster Outlook
- Returning Core: Eric Calvillo (club record 119 starts), Amando Moreno, and Gabi Torres.
- Defensive Rebuild: They’ve kept the veteran "Palermo" Ortiz and Tony Alfaro, which provides much-needed continuity.
- New Blood: Rubio Rubín (Forward) and Carl Sainté (Midfielder) from Phoenix Rising.
They’ve also exercised options on Beto Avila and goalkeeper Sebastian Mora-Mora. It looks like the strategy is "keep the spine, upgrade the edges."
Addressing the Misconceptions
One thing people get wrong about the El Paso Locomotive FC standings is the "home-field advantage" myth. People assume Southwest University Park is a fortress. In 2025, it actually wasn't.
They won 6 games at home but also lost 5. Compare that to their away form—4 wins and 6 losses—and you realize they were almost the same team regardless of the zip code. To actually challenge Tulsa or Sacramento in 2026, they have to make El Paso a place where opposing teams' seasons go to die. You can't drop 15 points at home and expect to lift a trophy.
What to Watch as the 2026 Schedule Approaches
The 2025 season ended in a bit of a heartbreak with a Conference Quarterfinal exit, but the foundation is clearly there. The club survived a mid-season slump, integrated a bunch of new transfers like Christian Sorto, and managed to stay relevant in a Western Conference that is getting richer and more competitive every year.
Honestly, the "Locomotive" brand is about consistency. Since joining the league, they've been one of the more stable organizations. But stable doesn't win rings.
The 2026 season will hinge on whether Junior Gonzalez can tighten that defense. If they can drop that "Goals Conceded" number from 45 down to the mid-30s, you aren't looking at a 4th-place team anymore. You’re looking at a title contender.
Actionable Steps for Fans
- Track the Preseason: Keep an eye on the friendly matches starting in February. Look specifically at how Rubio Rubín integrates with Moreno.
- Check the USL Championship Live Standings: Once the season kicks off in March, don't just look at the points. Check the "Goals Against" column—that's the true indicator of El Paso's health this year.
- Secure Season Tickets Early: With the buzz around the new signings and a home playoff game fresh in people's minds, the "Blue Out" nights are going to sell out faster than usual.
The 2025 climb was the setup. 2026 is the punchline. If the defense holds and the new signings click, the El Paso Locomotive FC standings will likely see them sitting at the very top of the West by mid-summer.