Where we left off last year
2024 season: 32 points, 12th in the Western Conference
Entering Brian Clarhaut's second season in charge, El Paso seemed like a dark horse contender in the West last year. Instead, the Locomotive went winless in their first 10 matches across all competitions and Clarhaut lost his job. Almost nothing went right; new signings with ample USL experience failed to impress, the defense was a sieve, and the club experienced a 12% drop in attendance.
Wilmer Cabrera steadied the ship after taking over midseason, signing players like Ricky Ruiz and Robert Coronado that he relied on in previous coaching roles. El Paso never truly challenged for a playoff spot down the stretch, but they at least looked competent.
That was enough for Cabrera to keep the job ahead of a vital 2025 season for the Locomotive as an organization – notably the first year in club history where the managerial and sporting director roles have been separated out.
