El Paso Locomotive FC came away from Sacramento with a 1–2 victory over Republic FC on Saturday night, courtesy of first-half goals from Amando Moreno and Alex Méndez. Michelle Benítez pulled one back deep in stoppage time for the hosts, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation.

El Paso took control midway through the first half. Moreno opened the scoring in the 25th minute, finishing off a well-placed ball from Eric Calvillo to give Locomotive the lead. Twelve minutes later, Méndez doubled the advantage, striking in the 37th minute to put Sacramento in a difficult spot before the break.

The first half ended with tempers rising. Dominik Wanner was booked for Sacramento in the 40th minute, and Calvillo picked up a yellow of his own four minutes later. The El Paso playmaker's evening took a costly turn early in the second half when he collected a second yellow in the 55th minute, leaving Locomotive to see out the remaining 35 minutes a man down.

Sacramento pushed for a way back into the match, and the pressure eventually told. Benít