FINAL: El Paso Locomotive 2, Riverhounds SC 1

USL Championship — Match Day 22 

FINAL: El Paso Locomotive FC 2, Riverhounds 1

Live statistics: USL Championship Match Center

Instant Match Summary

A wild late sequence handed Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC their first loss of August in painful fashion, falling 2-1 to El Paso Locomotive FC at Southwest University Park.

After Robbie Mertz opened his 2026 account in the 53rd minute, El Paso answered quickly via a heavily deflected long-range strike from Eric Calvillo. The Hounds looked primed to secure a tough road point as the clock ticked into stoppage time, but El Paso found the game-winner in the 90+3 minute.

Lining up a deep attack down the right flank, El Paso isolated Junior Etou on the width with no secondary cover available. The resulting whipped cross from Zyen Jones found 6-foot-6 defender Noah Dollenmayer, who redirected a sprawling effort from ground level into the bottom left corner to seal all three points for the hosts.

Final Statistical Snapshot

Score: El Paso Locomotive FC 2, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 1

Goals: Mertz 53′ (PIT) | Calvillo 57′, Dollenmayer 90+3′ (ELP)

Shots (On Target): El Paso 13 (5) | Pittsburgh 4 (1)

Corners: El Paso 6 | Pittsburgh 2

Fouls Committed: El Paso 11 | Pittsburgh 7

Match Updates

Second Half

46′ — Half-Time Sub: Rob Vincent made his first move of the night at the break, bringing on Yu Tsukanome for Trevor Amann to inject fresh energy into the press.

53′ — GOAL! Pittsburgh 1, El Paso 0 (Robbie Mertz): The Pittsburgh Kid comes through! Charles Ahl picked out Robbie Mertz in the center of the 18-yard box, and Mertz coolly slotted a right-footed finish into the bottom-left corner for his first goal of the season to put the Hounds ahead. This is the type of build-up Rob Vincent envisioned the back in preseason — coming to fruition tonight — all one-touch passing from Mertz, Barnes, Ahl, Mertz, Ahl, and finally Mertz!

57′ — GOAL! Pittsburgh 1, El Paso 1 (Eric Calvillo): El Paso responded just four minutes later. Arturo Ortíz uncorked a long-range blast from well over 35 yards out that was blocked, but the secondary effort fell to Eric Calvillo, whose low laser took a deflection and tricked Mike Sheridan right down the middle.

58′ — Ahl Nearly Restores Lead: The Hounds immediately went back on the front foot as Sam Bassett set up Charles Ahl on the left side of the box, but his right-footed curling effort shaved just past the top-right corner.

58′ — Ydrach Returns: Beto Ydrach made his return from the injury list, substituting on for Guillaume Vacter to solidify the back line.

70′ — Goldthorp Enters: Eliot Goldthorp came on for Perrin Barnes as the Hounds look to re-establish control in the final third.

76′ — Sheridan Holds Firm: Mike Sheridan made a routine stop to hold off a low El Paso effort from distance.

82′ — Saved Header: Eliot Goldthorp got on the end of a Beto Ydrach cross, but his header from the center of the box was saved in the top-center by Pedro.

84’–85′ — Late Drama & Yellow Card: Eliot Goldthorp was issued a yellow card for a bad foul, immediately followed by Gabi Torres striking the left post from outside the box for El Paso.

90+1′ — Late Opportunity Saved: Beto Ydrach got off a left-side shot following a Danny Griffin header, but Pedro turned it away in the bottom left corner.

90+3′ — GOAL! El Paso Locomotive 2, Pittsburgh 1 (Noah Dollenmayer): Disaster strikes in stoppage time. Zyen Jones isolates Junior Etou on the right wing and delivers a cross into the box, allowing 6’6″ defender Noah Dollenmayer to direct a header on the deck into the bottom left corner for the late winner.

90+4′ — Full-Time Whistle: Pittsburgh’s four-match unbeaten streak in August comes to an end.

Half — Riverhounds 0, El Paso 0

Through the first 45 — Hounds holding firm defensively, with Mike Sheridan making his first league start in goal, and he was tested a few times including making a lunging save to keep a dangerous ball out of goal on a redirected cross in the 27th minute.

• Shots (On Target): El Paso 5 (2) | Pittsburgh 0 (0)

• Corners: El Paso 3 | Pittsburgh 1

• Fouls Committed: El Paso 6 | Pittsburgh 2

• Offsides: El Paso 1 | Pittsburgh 1

Key First Half Moments

• 1′ — Quick Foul Early: The match got physical immediately as Amando Moreno brought down Robbie Mertz in the defensive half within 60 seconds.

• 11′ — Torres Tests Above: Gabi Torres fired El Paso’s first real threat from distance following a corner, but his left-footed strike sailed high over the crossbar.

• 17′ — Injury Stoppage: Play was briefly halted as Robbie Mertz received treatment on the pitch before returning to action.

• 27′ — Sheridan Denies Moreno: Nicolás Cardona delivered a dangerous cross into the box for Amando Moreno, whose close-range header was brilliantly turned away in the top corner by Mike Sheridan.

• 31′ — Hydration Break: Both squads took to the touchline for a scheduled cooling break amidst high Texas humidity.

• 38′ — Double Save by Sheridan: Moreno caused trouble again on the left wing, seeing a shot blocked before coming right back moments later with a low left-footed drive that Sheridan secured in the bottom corner.

• 45+1′ — Calvillo Blasts Wide: Eric Calvillo gathered a loose ball following an El Paso corner and unleashed a right-footed shot that whistled just wide of Sheridan’s left post.

Match Preview / Key Storylines

It’s a midweek match-up for the Riverhounds on the road — as they travel all the way down, deep in the heart of Texas to take on El Paso Locomotive, on Wednesday night.

The Hounds have been without a blemish in August, following a gritty 1-0 win at Brooklyn, on Saturday when Sam Bassett’s free kick gem provided the match’s lone goal.  To keep that momentum going, they’ll have to pick up some critical road points and staying in the top four by dipping deeper into its roster on a week where they’re in the middle of a three matches in a eight day stretch.  The Hounds will return home on Saturday to face front-running Tampa Bay Rowdies.

“Sometimes it’s nice when they come at you quickly, and you can stack one nice performance on top of another,” Vincent said after the win on Saturday.

“I think we’re getting consistency in terms of discipline and the levels required in this league, certainly defensively. There’s still room for improvement when we’re on the ball, room to be better offensively. But the past four games have been really professional, really happy with the discipline we’ve shown.”

Two notable Hounds did not make the trip to Brooklyn dealing with minor injuries, but Vincent said he was optimistic forward Albert Dikwa and right back Perrin Barnes could be available to head to the Lone Star State. With defender Beto Ydrach back in the 18 as an unused substitute Saturday, the Hounds’ injury report has dwindled down to only midfielder Bradley Sample, who is listed as questionable (core injury) but also has resumed training.

Both teams are coming off picking up their 10th win of the league season by scoring late a 1-0 road win.

The Hounds did it at Brooklyn while El Paso came out on top by way of an own goal in a match at Colorado Springs delayed for nearly three hours by storms. That lifted both teams into the third spot in their respective conferences entering the week, making Wednesday a chance for the Hounds to move into second in the East with a win or for El Paso to take over the top spot win the West with a result.

The all-time series favors the Hounds (2W-1L-0D) but the only time the two teams played in El Paso, the home side won, 2-0, in 2023.

More on El Paso Locomotive

What has remained unchanged, regardless of the lineup, has been the Hounds’ renewed defensive execution with only one goal allowed in four August matches. Going back to the July 18 win over Louisville, the Hounds have not allowed multiple goals in seven straight matches, and they have held their last six opponents under 1.00 expected goals (xG), according to Opta stats.

John K’s Projected Riverhounds lineup

Although Ydrach, Gui Vacter and Illal Osumanu are available, keeping the three primary defenders (Victor Souza, Owen Mikoy and Lasse Kelp) in the starting eleven makes sense unless they have some bumps. With the short turnaround to Saturday’s big match vs Tampa, I could see Rob Vincent opting to use a few halftime subs to manage workloads, especially of the wide players. It was interesting that on Saturday, Vincent didn’t start any of the players who’ve featured most of this year in the wide winger / outside back roles this season, instead opting to go with three in the back along with Danny Griffin and Sam Bassett covering the most ground on the width.  Having a lot of fresh legs for the wide spots (Max Viera, Junior Etou and Perrin Barnes), a fresh new lineup could be in the cards.  Also left out of the lineup on Saturday included Robbie Mertz and Charles Ahl was used as a sub. Bottom line, Vincent should feel pretty good about his options, having fresh legs and being able to put out a strong lineup, especially having a few well rested key players (Mertz and Dikwa come to mind).

“““

John Krysinsky

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).