History was made by El Paso Locomotive FC in its 3-0 win over Ventura County FC that ended with 20 players on the field.
The Locos are US Open Cup third rounders for the first time following an experienced performance on the road that included early set-piece goals by Daniel Carter and Tony Alfaro at Dignity Health Sports Park Track & Field Stadium in Carson, Calif. on Wednesday.
Jason Bucknor was sent off for VCFC just after half an hour when the midfielder collected a second yellow card in 5 minutes — leaving the hosts a man down with a 2-goal deficit.
“We’re a professional team and professional players that have been playing for much longer,” Locos captain Eric Calvillo, who played in the competition for Major League Soccer side San Jose Earthquakes in 2019, said. “We’re more experienced and we wanted to demonstrate that and I think that’s what we did.”
Locomotive goalkeeper Sebastian Mora-Mora saved both of Ventura’s attempts on target to help collect the shutout after a tame display from VCFC’s offense who missed Aaron Bibout’s clinical finishing.
The forward was sold to Swedish second division side Vasteras SK one week after scoring a hat-trick in the tournament’s first round.
Before his goal, Alfaro found himself at the center of contribution during the game’s first goal.
His headed flick at the near post from a corner kick after 17 minutes trickled toward the back-post and toward the goal before Carter helped the ball beyond the line.
A minute before the half hour mark, Alfaro got his turn to celebrate by doubling Locomotive’s lead when VCFC goalkeeper James Marcinkowski’s miss-judged punch attempt left the defender with a gaping goal with the ball at his feet from close range that could not be blocked.
“One of the threats that they have is set-pieces,” VCFC head coach Matt Taylor admitted about the early set-piece goals. “Being a younger, less-experienced team it’s something we wanted to really focus on.
“The first two goals were both set pieces and before you know it the game hasn’t even settled in yet and we’re down 2-0 and chasing.”
The inexperience trickled from set-piece situations into the discipline side of the game when Bucknor — who had already collected a yellow card for arguing — followed up what he felt was a no-call from the referee against his favor with a clumsy tackle that got a second yellow and a sending off.
Locomotive went into the half with a 2-goal lead and enjoyed 30 minutes enjoying the man-advantage before Alfaro joined Bucknor for an early shower after collecting his second caution.
Taylor made substitutions after being brought to even strength, but Locomotive’s pair of substitutes Andy Cabrera and Roberto Avila combined for the game’s third goal.
“It’s our second win in the Open Cup,” Calvillo said. “Win in the cup is history.
“It’s another round for us, another big win and the team is feeling great.”
To find out its next opponent, Calvillo and company will be featured in the Round 3 draw which is set for Thursday, April 3 at 1 p.m. EST.
The 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Round 3 will take place the week of April 15-16.