Healthy Chapa Herrera, Locomotive look for better season in 2023

The 2022 USL season wasn't particularly memorable for most of the El Paso Locomotive, but in the worst of ways it was for El Paso's Chapa Herrera.

The Bel Air grad, who worked his way from a tryout to one of the faces of the franchise, crumpled to the ground in a May match against Sacramento with a knee injury that ended his season and started a long road of rehab.

Not much has kept Herrera down through a remarkable career with such humble beginnings, and as the 2023 season dawns with another match against Sacramento on Saturday at Southwest University Park, he's found a different way to be the franchise's feel-good story.

The midfielder battled back from his injury with the tenacity that has defined his career and can't wait to make his return to the pitch for a new-look team under first-year coach Brian Clarehaut.

"It was really, really tough, it was the first injury of my career," Herrera said. "It was a dark time, not just for me but my family. They'd see me in pain. But with the help of my family and the club I was able to push through it and here I am now.

"I’m so excited for us to start the season."

Every Locomotive player is excited for the start of the club's fifth season as they look to get back to the standard of excellence set in the first three years before the disappointment of missing the playoffs last year, and Clarhaut said he couldn't be happier to have Herrera leading the charge.

"He’s the definition of the team," Clarhaut said. "We've got a blue-collar guy coming back from injuries. I’m so proud of how he’s performed and gotten himself ready for the season opener. The guy will not stop running, it's absolutely insane, I have to drag him off the field.

"He's the definition of the culture we have, not only in this club but in this city: Local guy, blue-collar, works hard for the team, will do whatever it takes and he's a team-oriented player. We need guys like that."

The Locomotive will have a bit different look under Clarhaut, the franchise's third head coach, who comes over from Sweden's top league and also is the first American to coach the team. His first goal is to cut down on all the transition goals that sunk the Locos last year.

"I like to have a good defensive organization, that's super-important to me," he said. "We need to find a balance with being organized and not be in many 2-v-2 with transitions. This league is an up-and-down league so I want to be defensively organized.

"I'm a firm believer if we're well-organized defensively, we'll find a way to score goals. I'm still in the process of getting these guys to go into faster attacks. I'd like our transition attacks to get more potent going forward."

As usual, the Locomotive return much of the previous season's team with a few key additions.

Five Locomotive players to watch

Eric Calvillo, midfielder

His first season with the club was a big bright spot in 2022 as he contributed six goals in 31 appearances as he established himself as an anchor in the midfield. The time he missed for the Locomotive came when he was playing for El Salvador in the Nation's League.

"He has experience on the national team, he's played in the MLS, now we're seeing him in the prime of his career and he's stepped up," Clarhaut said. "He's been our leader, one of our better players in preseason. I've seen that from Day 1 with him."

Yuma, defender

The 37-year-old Spaniard has been a franchise mainstay since arriving in the expansion season and with 88 appearances is the Locomotive all-time leader. When Clarhaut talks about organization, that starts in the back with Yuma.

Benny Diaz, goalkeeper

El Paso's new keeper comes on loan from Tijuana of Mexico's Liga MX, where he made five appearances. He played last year for the Oakland Roots of the USL.

"With his feet and what he gives us he is a weapon moving forward," Clarhaut said. "It's going to be hard for teams to be hard to press us with his skill set."

Bence Pavkovics, midfielder

The 25-year-old has spent his career in his native Hungary, most recently in their first division for the last three years.

"You can see the level of maturity, he carries himself like he's 35-years-old," Clarhaut said. "He's an important piece with his athleticism and his pace as a central back, and his experience."

Luis Moreno, midfielder

The 16-year-old may not be a huge contributor right away, most 16-year-olds aren't, but this was a head-turning signing for the Locomotive. He became the youngest player to sign a USL contract with the team, at one year younger than Diego Abarca, who made quite a splash before leaving for Real Salt Lake of the MLS on a record transfer deal.

Moreno has that type of resume. He's served three stints with the U.S. U-17 national team and most recently was with the Houston Dynamo Academy.

Bret Bloomquist can be reached at 915-546-6359; bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.

Sacramento FC vs. El Paso Locomotive

What, when, where: A USL season opener, 7:30 p.m. Saturday night, Southwest University Park

Tickets: $19-$63

Last season: El Paso was 13-14-7, 8th in the USL Western Conference; Sacramento was 15-11-8, 4th in the USL West; conference semifinalist in the playoffs

TV: ESPN+

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Healthy Chapa Herrera, Locomotive look for better 2023