Sacramento Republic Hosts El Paso in Semifinal
Sacramento Republic FC, the No. 2 seed, faces No. 3 seed El Paso Locomotive FC in the USL Western Conference semifinals on Saturday.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Soccer
Sacramento Republic FC hosts El Paso Locomotive FC at Heart Health Park on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the USL Western Conference semifinals. The matchup follows Sacramento's 1-0 quarterfinal win over FC Tulsa, decided by a Blake Willey goal in the 88th minute.
Why it matters
A win would advance Sacramento Republic FC, which is on a three-game winning streak, deeper into the USL Western Conference playoffs. The result also carries weight for a Sacramento club looking to end a league title drought that its figures place at 12 years.
Sacramento Republic FC's 13-12-15 overall record and 9-4-2 home mark compare with El Paso Locomotive FC's 15-5-10 overall and 8-2-5 away records heading into the semifinal. Sacramento last lost August 5 to FC Tulsa, while El Paso's most recent defeat came October 24 against New Mexico United, and the outcome of Saturday's match remains unknown.
The players
Sacramento Republic FC
Sacramento Republic FC is a professional soccer club based in Sacramento that competes in the USL Championship and has played at Heart Health Park since its opening.
El Paso Locomotive FC
El Paso Locomotive FC is a professional soccer club based in El Paso, Texas, that competes in the USL Championship and is the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
Blake Willey
Blake Willey is a Sacramento Republic FC forward whose 88th-minute goal decided the club's quarterfinal win over FC Tulsa.
The details
Blake Willey scored the winning goal in the 88th minute to decide Sacramento's quarterfinal against FC Tulsa on Sunday. Sacramento also shut out El Paso 1-0 on October 17, and the semifinal is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. at Heart Health Park.
Timeline
August 5: Sacramento lost to FC Tulsa, its most recent defeat before the playoffs.
October 17: Sacramento shut out El Paso 1-0.
October 24: El Paso lost to New Mexico United, its most recent defeat.
Sunday: Sacramento defeated FC Tulsa 1-0 in the quarterfinals.
Saturday at 7 p.m.: Sacramento hosts El Paso in the semifinal at Heart Health Park.
Season Trajectory
Saturday's semifinal extends a season series in which Sacramento already beat El Paso 1-0 on October 17, giving the home side a recent head-to-head edge. The playoff run also tests whether Sacramento's three-game winning streak can carry it past a Locomotive side with a stronger overall record.
A Sacramento win would extend the club's playoff run and keep fantasy and season-ticket plans on track for the postseason. Fans planning to attend should note the Saturday 7 p.m. kickoff at Heart Health Park.
The takeaway
Sacramento's home record of 9-4-2 gives it a tangible advantage heading into Saturday's semifinal. Fans attending the match should plan for the 7 p.m. kickoff at Heart Health Park.
What happens next
The semifinal kicks off Saturday at 7 p.m. at Heart Health Park, with the winner advancing in the USL Western Conference playoffs.
Further reading
Explore more Sacramento Soccer coverage to follow the local club's playoff run.
