LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Vanessa Guajardo,

El Paso is Still Alive in U.S. Open Cup Qualifying

(Laredo, TX): In the five year history of the Laredo Heat Soccer Club Premier Development League (PDL) franchise, never has the team lost two consecutive games as they have done this season. During their recent road trips to Midland and Dallas, the Heat dropped consecutive 2 – 1 matches to the West Texas United Sockers and the DFW Tornados respectively.

 On Friday evening May 28, 2010 at 8:00 PM at the Texas A&M International University Soccer Complex, the Laredo Heat (2 – 2 – 0, 6 points) will host the El Paso Patriots (2 – 1 – 1, 7 points) in an early season critical match for both clubs. For the Heat, it is a game that they need to perform well in order to get back to their winning ways and for the Patriots, their U.S. Open Cup Qualifying chances rest on a win in Laredo and a win in the Rio Grande Valley on Saturday night.

 “By no means is this game versus the Patriots an easy one for our team. Year in and year out, the El Paso Patriots always put a quality squad together and this season is no exception,” said Heat General Manager J.J. Vela.

 “This match versus the Patriots will test our players resolve and their ability to bounce back from early season adversity. The entire organization knows that we have a solid starting eleven and very good players that can come off the bench as substitutes to keep the game flowing or to change the pace of the game if need be.”  Vela concluded, “This game on Friday evening here in Laredo will be the type of soccer match that fans can look forward to because two quality teams will showcase their talents on the pitch and two teams that will leave their heart on the pitch by playing hard because they each know what is at stake. I personally invite all soccer and sports fans to head out to TAMIU for an exciting match and for great family fun.”

 Laredo Heat Head Coach Israel Collazo will not be on the bench this week due to a one game suspension for being ejected on Saturday evening in Dallas. Assistant Coach Fernando Hernandez will have control of the team on Friday night versus the Patriots.

 The Heat’s Greg Mulamba will be returning to the pitch this week after serving a one game suspension for getting a red card issued to him in Midland. Mulamba sat out the DFW game on Saturday, May 22^nd.

 General admission tickets are only $5.00 for adults and thanks to all of the Heat sponsors, children 12 and under are admitted into the game free of charge.

 New Players Added

 The Laredo Heat Soccer Club has added one of the PDL’s top scorers from 2009 to its roster. Former Rio Grande Valley Bravo Forward Salvador “Chava” Luna is set to join the team once the organization receives Luna’s United States Soccer Federation final approval. Luna’s performances last season in the PDL garnered the attention from the United Soccer Leagues USL-1 Austin Aztex franchise and this past Spring, Luna travelled to Brazil to train with tradition rich Brazilian side Botafogo FC.

 Ryan Sanders Shootout

 In two weeks, the Laredo Heat will be travelling to Corpus Christi, TX to take on the two –time Major League Soccer Cup Champion Houston Dynamo. The stage has been set for this exciting match scheduled for Thursday, June 10, 2010 (the day before the start of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa) at What-A-Burger Field, home of the Corpus Christi Hooks, the AA affiliate of the Houston Astros. Kick-off is set for 7:00 P.M. The event is being presented by Amigo Energy, the title sponsor of the Houston Dynamo. Tickets for this game can be purchased at www.ryansandersentertainment.com , the What-A-Burger Field Box Office or by phone at (361) 561 – HOOK (4665).

 Heat fans that are interested in making the day trip to Corpus Christi to cheer on the Heat can contact the Heat office to reserve a space on a charter bus headed to the Coastal Bend city. For $35.00, fans can reserve a space on the bus plus admission to the match. If fans have already made plans to attend the game, the Heat has a limited number of discounted tickets available for $15.00 per person.