The sports culture in El Paso, Texas, is backed by impressive athlete profiles and dedicated fanbases that peak year-round. Whether you’re into ice hockey, soccer, or baseball, finding a favorite pastime in this West Texas town is an easy feat for sports enthusiasts. Here your guide to El Paso sports teams gearing up for an exciting 2018-2019 season.
El Paso Rhinos
Part of the Midwest Division of the Western States Hockey League, the El Paso Rhinos are the premier amateur junior ice hockey team in the city. Former pro hockey player Cory Herman founded the team and serves as head coach, boasting nine Division Championship titles, a 2014 UHU (United Hockey Union) National Championship title, and three Thorne Cup Championship titles, all awarded between 2006 and 2018.
Additionally, all home games for the Rhinos hockey team are based at the El Paso County Coliseum Events Center on 4100 E. Paisano. Players train at the nearby Rhinos Training Center where they build on agility and strength to help improve their performances on the ice and further their careers.
El Paso Coyotes
Also based at the El Paso County Coliseum Events Center are the Coyotes professional soccer team’s home matches. It competed in the Southwest Division of the Major Arena Soccer League alongside fellow teams like the Rio Grande Valley Barracudas and Dallas Sidekicks.
Founded in 2016, the El Paso Coyotes are still a fairly new team and hold a bright future for the players, which mostly hail from Mexico and the U.S. In fact, the team collected its first franchise win during the 2017-2018 season, and earlier this year, it finished strong with a record 58 goals combined for midfielders Christian Gutierrez and Hugo Puentes, earning them a place among the top scorers in the league.
El Paso Locomotive FC
As a team founded in early 2018, the El Paso Locomotive FC doesn’t have a full roster as of yet. However, the current lineup does include players hailing from clubs across the globe, including Latin America, Europe, and the U.S. This promising up-and-coming professional soccer team debuted in the United Soccer League Championship league and is expected to compete in the division’s flagship tournament in 2019. As of now, all home games for the El Paso Locomotive FC are scheduled for play at Southwest University Park.
El Paso Chihuahuas
Also located at Southwest University Park is the training ground for El Paso Chihuahuas baseball. This Minor League Baseball (MiLB) team and San Diego Padres affiliate competes in the Pacific Southern Division of the Pacific Coast League (PCL). So far, the Chihuahuas have earned a PCL Championship in 2016, two Conference Championships, and four Division Championship titles since its 2014 debut.
Baseball games at Southwest University Park offer fans the chance to get autographs from players prior to the first pitch. They can also sport their best team attire and accessories, courtesy of the onsite Team Shop, and cheer on the Chihuahuas as they face fellow teams like the Tacoma Rainiers, San Antonio Missions, and Sacramento River Cats.
El Paso is home to a distinct set of sports teams whose home games never fail to get the crowd excited. Consider this guide to help you plan for the perfect season of indoor and outdoor sports recreation.
Image via Mark Mauno | Licensed by CC BY-SA 2.0
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