El Paso spent most of 2025 right where competitive teams live — inside matches, pushing tempo, and keeping scorelines tight. The final result may not have gone the way the club wanted, but the underlying structure stayed intact. That matters heading into a new season.

Roster continuity sets the tone for 2026

One of the clearest signals this offseason has been the club’s decision to retain key contributors. El Paso Locomotive FC has opted for continuity, keeping players who understand both the system and the expectations that come with representing this city.

• Noah Dollenmayer continues to anchor the back line with experience and leadership.
• Tony Alfaro brings stability and depth defensively.
• Palermo Ortiz adds versatility and continued development.

Combined with newer faces pushing for minutes, the roster has a healthy mix of familiarity and internal competition — a formula that often shows results early in the USL season.

A quick note on Eric Calvillo

It’s hard to talk about the current era of Locomotive FC without mentioning Eric Calvillo. Not as a headline grabber — just as a constant.

In 2025, Calvillo logged 27 appearances with 26 starts, finishing with 4 goals and 4 assists from midfield. Those numbers are solid, but what stands out more is availability and trust — he’s on the field because coaches rely on him.

He now sits near the top of the club’s all-time appearance list and holds the record for most starts in Locomotive history. In a league where rosters change quickly, that kind of continuity carries real weight. For longtime supporters, Calvillo’s continued commitment simply feels right.

If 2026 becomes the season El Paso turns close results into consistent wins, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him involved in the middle of it — quietly doing what he’s done for years.

View Eric Calvillo’s official roster profile →

Why the 2026 outlook feels positive

This version of the Locos enters 2026 with fewer unknowns. Leadership remains, roles are clearer, and competition for minutes should elevate performance across the board. Add a passionate home crowd and a city that consistently shows up, and the ingredients are there for progress.

The mission is straightforward: start faster, finish stronger, and let consistency do the rest.