LaredoBuzz.Com

Thursday, May 14, 2009 ( Laredo , TX):

The Laredo Heat Soccer Club (1 – 0 – 0 / 3 Points) is headed to West Texas this weekend for a pair of matches against an expansion team and a very experienced club.

On Friday, May 15th, the Heat will play the expansion West Texas United Sockers (0 – 1 – 1 / 1 Point) at Grande Communications Stadium in Midland , Texas . Kick-off for this game is set for 7:30 P.M. Grande Communications Stadium is a multi-sport facility with Sprinturf similar to the turf at the UISD Student Activity Complex where the Heat used to play their home games in 2006 and 2007.

“While playing on turf will not be new for our players, it will pose some getting used to it again when the game gets started”, said Heat Head Coach Israel Collazo.

“Fortunately, we will have access to the field on Thursday afternoon for a short walkthrough that will give all the travelling players a good sense of the surface and stadium. From what I understand, Grande Communications Stadium is a beautiful facility and if the Sockers have the turnout of fans of two thousand plus for our game as they did for their home opener last week, the game should be exciting for everyone”.

The Sockers currently have one point after two games played after last weeks home draw of 1 -1 versus the Rio Grande Valley Bravos. The Sockers lost their first game in El Paso by a score of 2 – 1.

There will be rest for the weary as the Heat will pack up the gear and head to El Paso immediately after the game in Midland for a Saturday night battle versus the always tough and feisty Patriots.

The match versus the Patriots (2 – 0 – 0 / 6 Points) is scheduled for Saturday, May 16th at the ever so friendly confines of Patriot Stadium. Kick-off in El Paso is set for 8:00 P.M. MST (9:00 P.M. Laredo time).

“I personally enjoy playing in El Paso and I know my players that have played at Patriot Stadium also enjoy the atmosphere and the fans there and it will be enjoyable for my new players to experience. The Patriot organization always puts a very good product on the pitch and I know that both teams will test each other early and often”, said Collazo.

On playing in Patriot Stadium, Collazo added “Where else in the PDL are the fans so close to the team benches that one can smell the popcorn and hot dogs and hear the fans do their own play by play commentary. The fans in El Paso remind me of our fans in Laredo because they are both very soccer savvy”.

After two weeks of Premier Development League (PDL) play, the Patriots currently sit in first place in the Mid-South Division with six points due to their two victories versus both divisional expansion teams.

Heat Notes:

The Laredo Heat added a new player to their roster this week. After receiving United States Soccer Federation International Clearance, Joel Perez joined the Heat as an attacking midfielder.

Currently only 23 years old, Perez brings a wealth of soccer experience to the club. Perez was brought up in the Tigres de Monterrey (UANL) system since he was a young player and even debuted with the first team just a few years ago. Additionally, Perez also played one season in Argentina before coming to the United States to give his trade a try in American soccer.