EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Locomotive FC announced today that it will host Liga MX side and cross-border rival FC Juárez in an international friendly at Southwest University Park on Wednesday, March 20, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. Fans interested in purchasing tickets can join the priority waitlist here to receive a prepurchase benefit prior to the general public on-sale date. On-sale dates for match tickets will be announced in the coming weeks.
“We are ecstatic that these two teams will play each other in Southwest University Park,” said Locomotive General Manager Andrew Forrest. “These are the two premier professional soccer teams in the Southwest region, and this will be the first time in history that we play a match in front of both fanbases. We look forward to the inaugural game on March 20th and for this event to become an annual tradition.”
FC Juárez President Luis Rodriguez said, "This collaborative effort with El Paso Locomotive significantly contributes to FC Juárez 's continued growth in El Paso. This exciting friendly not only showcases the talent of both teams but also reinforces the enduring partnership between our clubs and cities as we look to continue to develop talent, on and off the field, in the region. El Paso is also a home market for FC Juárez and is a strategic pillar in our long-term growth plan."
FC Juárez, founded in 2015, currently competes in Liga MX – the highest division of soccer in Mexico and the most competitive league in the Concacaf region – and is the highest-level professional team in any sport between Phoenix and San Antonio and within 450 miles of the Borderplex region.
El Paso Locomotive FC, founded in 2018, is a member of the USL Championship, sanctioned as the only second division soccer league in America by the U.S. Soccer Federation. El Paso has established itself as one of the league’s strongest performers since its 2019 debut, finishing as Western Conference Finalists in 2019 and 2020, claiming the 2021 Copa Tejas and clinching postseason appearances four times in its five-year history.
This match marks the first time that both teams face off in a match in front of fans during the regular season, a step towards growing the competitive rivalry and strengthening the partnership between the two sister clubs. FC Juárez is currently gearing up for their upcoming 2024 Liga MX Clausura season, kicking off on Sunday, January 14 at 11 a.m. against Pumas UNAM. The Bravos’ first two (2) home matches at Estadio Olímpico Benito Juárez will take place on Friday, January 19 at 8 p.m. vs Cruz Azul followed by a match against Liga MX champion, Club America, the following Wednesday, January 24 at 8 pm. Tickets for both matches can be purchased at fcjuarez.com or fcjuarez.boletosenlinea.events.
El Paso Locomotive FC is beginning preparations for its sixth season in the USL Championship. Locomotive kicks off the 2024 season with the Home Opener at Southwest University Park on Saturday, March 9 vs Hartford Athletic.
Fans can secure their tickets for all El Paso Locomotive FC home matches by becoming a 2024 Locomotive Season Ticket Member today. To become a member or learn more about membership benefits, fans can visit eplocomotivefc.com/seasontickets, call 915-235-GOAL or text 915-666-2005.
EL PASO, TEXAS – November 16, 2023 – MountainStar Sports Group has announced the grand opening of the MountainStar Sports Shop located at Fountains at Farah (8889 Gateway West, Suite 2825). The Shop will open its doors to the general public Friday, Nov. 17 at 10 a.m. and will remain open through the holiday season.
This shop expands MountainStar Sports Group’s (MSSG) retail footprint to the East Side of El Paso County, showcasing merchandise from all four of its sports properties; the El Paso Chihuahuas, FC Juarez Bravos and Bravas, and El Paso Locomotive FC.
“We’re excited to take this important step to have an increased presence in a very important part of our community,” said Alan Ledford, MountainStar Sports Group President. “Chihuahuas, Bravos, and Locomotive merchandise is worn proudly by our fans throughout the Borderplex and make for a very special holiday gift.”
Featured product will include caps, jerseys, tees, and novelties from Nike, adidas, Under Armour, and more. Shoppers should also be on the alert for opportunities to visit the MountainStar Sports Shop and meet team mascots Chico, Benny, and Ozzy.
This is MSSG’s third retail store, joining current locations at Southwest University Park. The Chihuahuas Team Shop is located on the corner of Durango St. and Franklin Ave. and Locomotive Team Shop on Sante Fe St. The FC Juarez store can be found online at bravotienda.com.
MountainStar Sports Shop at Fountains at Farah will be open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sundays 12-6 p.m. through Dec. 31. For more information, contact the shop at 915-800-1132.
Chihuahuas Team Shop
Corner of Durango St. and Franklin Ave.
Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Locomotive FC Team Shop
Santa Fe St.
Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
MountainStar Sports Shop
8889 Gateway West, Suite 2825
Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday: 12-6 p.m.
LAS VEGA, Nev. – November 13, 2023 – El Paso Chihuahuas Sr. Vice President & General Manager Brad Taylor has been named Minor League Baseball’s Executive of the Year, it was announced at the Minor League Baseball Fall Meetings in Las Vegas, Nev.
This marks the first-ever Executive of the Year award for Taylor who is a 29-year veteran in Minor League Baseball (MiLB).
“Individuals get honored or recognized when organizations consistently do good things,” Taylor said. “I’m humbled to represent our organization, all of whom work daily with a mission and a purpose to be the best. Our team is why I got honored. I’m very fortunate to be in El Paso with the best ownership group and the best staff.”
“Since he joined MountainStar Sports Group in 2013, Brad has embraced our mission of improving the quality of life and promoting economic development in our region,” said Josh Hunt, Co-Owner and Chairman of MountainStar Sports Group. “His involvement in the community and with various non-profits, and his leadership of the Chihuahuas have been critical to accomplishing these objectives. On behalf of our entire ownership group, we thank and congratulate Brad.”
The only general manager in Chihuahuas history, the organization is coming off its 10th Year Celebration, a season which resulted in team records in multiple key business categories. Year after year, the Chihuahuas finish amongst the top teams in both the Pacific Coast League and MiLB in ticket sales, corporate partnership sales and always in the top-5 percent in merchandise sales.
“On behalf of our entire organization, I want to congratulate Brad for this well-deserved recognition,” said Alan Ledford, MountainStar Sports Group President. “Since joining MSSG in 2013, Brad has always brought a passion for our business, fans and the entire El Paso community. His leadership, creativity and vision have been critical to the organization’s accomplishments and success over the long-term. We are all very proud of Brad and this honor.”
Since his arrival in El Paso in 2014, Taylor has witnessed the groundbreaking of Southwest University Park, helped build the front office staff, and led the charge as the Chihuahuas successfully launched their brand on October 22, 2013. Under Taylor’s guidance, the Chihuahuas have become the top selling merchandise brand in Minor League Baseball (MiLB), a feat that includes the top social media ranking (more than 300K followers across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Snapchat, LinkedIn, & YouTube) out of 120 teams.
Taylor has been instrumental in Southwest University Park’s recognition as one of El Paso’s and Minor League Baseball’s premier venues. In addition to Chihuahuas baseball and Locomotive soccer, since its opening, the ballpark has been home to three professional international exhibition soccer matches, IBF Featherweight Boxing, the El Paso Marathon, the 2015 Triple-A Baseball National Championship game, Way Out West Country Music Festival, the 2019 Triple-A Baseball All-Star game and Home Run Derby and the 2019 Innovator’s Summit. The ballpark has also been a venue for concerts, community events, weddings, business conferences and expos, 5K community races, high school baseball games, and company galas.
The Chihuahuas have also been a philanthropic leader in the El Paso community under Taylor’s direction, raising nearly $500,000 this year through jersey auctions and 50/50 raffles. Since 2014, the Chihuahuas staff and the El Paso Chihuahuas Foundation have helped local organizations raise more than $1.5 million through in-stadium fundraising and have provided well in excess of a million dollars in monetary and in-kind donations. In 2023, the Chihuahuas Volunteer Pack, an El Paso-wide volunteer force created to give back to the Borderplex, contributed more than 450 hours of service to the area.
As Senior Vice President for MountainStar Sports Group, Taylor assisted in hiring the El Paso Locomotive FC front office staff, helps supervise the sales and marketing efforts, team branding and facility enhancements and improvements at Southwest University Park to accommodate USL soccer.
Since the Chihuahuas inaugural season, Taylor has been named a Pacific Coast League Executive of the Year finalist in 2014, 2017, and 2019.
Taylor currently serves as Chairman on the El Paso Chamber Board of Directors and sits on the Hospitals of Providence Children’s Hospital Board of Directors, the Border Youth Athletic Association Board of Directors, the Sun Bowl Advisory Board, the Downtown Management District (DMD) Board of Directors, and the United Way Board of Directors. Taylor is also a youth league coach in the Southwest Baseball League.
Taylor received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Randolph-Macon College (Ashland, Va.), where he played baseball for four years as a second baseman, serving as team co-captain his senior year.
Taylor is a native of Fairfax, Va. Taylor and his wife Jennifer have two sons, Braxton and Parker.
1 Ballpark Plaza
El Paso, TX 79901
(915) 242-2000
