El Paso Locomotive FC beat Oakland Roots SC 1-0 in the USL Championship, with Rubio Rubin's ninth-minute goal settling the contest. El Paso held on despite seeing less of the ball than the visitors.
Rubio Rubin scored the only goal in the ninth minute after being set up by Jimmy Farkarlun. Oakland enjoyed long spells of possession but rarely threatened, while El Paso finished with more shots overall: 17 to 10. Robert Coronado was booked in the 34th minute and Zyen Jones in the 81st.
Rubin was the decisive figure, converting El Paso's only big chance of the match. The numbers tell an unusual story: Oakland had 57% possession and 399 accurate passes to El Paso's 281, yet the hosts had more shots on target, six to three, and forced five saves from the Oakland keeper. El Paso's two saves at the other end were enough to secure the win.
