El Paso, Texas — In a week where El Paso Locomotive FC should be preparing for one of the biggest, most important matches of the regular season against San Antonio FC, much of the chatter about the El Paso club has to do with their personnel off the field.
Since this past Tuesday, reports have surfaced that midfielders Sebastian Velasquez and Richie Ryan were on the brink of leaving the club.
Neither player was present at training on Tuesday morning, which included media availability with the team. When asked about Velasquez not being at training and if he was still with the club, head coach John Hutchinson was forthright in his answer saying, “Yeah, at the moment. There is an idea for him that he wants to go overseas and try something different. We’re not going to stand in people’s way, but we have to make sure that the club is at its best and okay with it.
“Vela’s done everything right for the club. I love the guy. Whatever he decides and we decide as a club and will be the best for everyone, for him and the club. He’s one of us, we love having him here. If we depart it’s not for us getting rid of him, it’s not for Vela being unhappy, it’s just a different career path for him.”
On Wednesday, Velasquez announced on his social media that he was leaving El Paso, and Locomotive made it official on Thursday night by posting on their social media accounts.
This one is hard for me but this picture says it all! I love this city, I love the team, I love the fans, I love the people that I met and most importantly I loved the past 3 years of my career here! I am going to miss you all! Thank you for everything El Paso! @eplocomotivefc 😢 pic.twitter.com/elKOLfcJ5e
— Sebastian Velasquez (@TiaN_Futbol) July 20, 2022
We have mutually agreed to part ways with Sebastian Velasquez. Thank you for time here in El Paso both on and off the field, Vela!
— El Paso Locomotive FC (@eplocomotivefc) July 22, 2022
We wish you the best in your future 👏#VamosLocos pic.twitter.com/IJtqmkpGgY
Later on Tuesday, Seriously Loco Podcast broke the news regarding defensive midfielder Richie Ryan requesting a transfer from the team due to a dispute about a proposed contract extension. It was reported that the Locos front office offered Ryan a 30% decrease in salary. As a result, the four-year veteran requested an immediate transfer. The Locomotive front office responded by separating Ryan from the team and not allowing him to show up and train with the team nor use their facilities.
Ryan was not in attendance at Tuesday’s practice, either.
As of Thursday night, the Locomotive front office had not commented regarding the matter despite being asked about the situation by various media outlets.
Not a good look for the Locomotive front office
While the departure of Velasquez appears to be mutual and amicable, the same doesn’t seem to be the case for the Ryan dilemma. The fact that the negotiation talks have deteriorated to the point that Ryan asked for a transfer and does not want to finish out his season in El Paso speaks volumes.
Ryan has played for this institution since its inception in 2018. The 37-year-old from Ireland has been a founding pillar for this club and has been fundamental in establishing the club’s culture in the locker room. For things to come to what they have reflects poorly not on Ryan but on the front office.
An additional problem for this front office is that others have taken notice and have turned to social media to give their opinion. Sacramento FC’s Rodrigo Lopez spoke volumes about Ryan and said he hopes he “lands somewhere and is treated as he should”.
Any team would be blessed to have Richie’s talent. Hope he lands somewhere and he’s treated as he should.
— Rodrigo Lopez (@Lopez_Roro) July 20, 2022
Not a good look from a PR standpoint.
Focusing on the task at hand
All of this comes during a week where the Locos should be focusing solely on what is gearing up to be the biggest match of the regular season up to this point for El Paso. The Locos will host first place San Antonio FC this Saturday night; SAFC can lift the Copa Tejas trophy if they get the win in the Sun City, which is something no Locomotive fan wants to see happen.
For El Paso, the match against San Antonio will be a stern test against the leading team in the western conference one week after suffering a 4-0 loss to Oakland Roots SC in northern California, a performance that mirrored the Locos’ execution or lack thereof during their atrocious start to the 2022 season.
It will be interesting to see if these two circumstances that have come to the forefront over the course of this week regarding these two midfielders will affect the Locos' performance come Saturday night.
Sports teams are like family. If there is an issue or tension with one member, all can feel it and/or be affected by it relatively easily.
Saturday’s match is scheduled to kickoff at 730 p.m. MT and will be televised nationally via streaming on ESPN+.
