Heat Announce First Exhibition Game for 2009: Sister City Bravos to Play in Laredo for the First Time

In preparation for the start of the 2009 Premier Development League Regular Season, the Laredo Heat Soccer Club today announced the date for their first Pre- Season Friendly Match.

The game, a first for the visiting team and the home side, is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at the Texas A&M International University Soccer Complex. Kick-off is set for 8:00 PM.

“After several attempts over the past few years to have the Nuevo Laredo Bravos visit Laredo for a game against us, we were finally able to come to a mutually beneficial agreement with the Bravos Administration”, said Heat General Manager, J.J. Vela.

“Our players, coaches and administration are truly looking forward to this event, and I say event, not game, because our cities are so intertwined in their day to day activities and our citizens are one with each other that we are excited to finally showcase both teams to soccer fans of the two Laredo’s and it should show everyone what is truly great about our region, not to mention a great soccer game”.

Vela continued, “When we initiated the discussions about the possibility of the match, one of the first things we talked about was making sure the game between the two teams would not be the only one ever scheduled and that so long as the teams were competing in their respective leagues, there should be a home and away series established”.

“With that being said, we agreed to establish a name for the annual game, something to give it a competitive feeling, something for the players to play for and we immediately agreed on giving the winner of the match a cup name La Copa LareDOS / LareDOS Cup”.

Vela concluded, “If all works out, La Copa LareDOS will be an annual event played in Nuevo Laredo and Laredo and it should serve both organizations well on and off the playing pitch”.

“Personally, and in speaking on behalf of the Heat organization, we are excited and look forward to welcoming Coach Ricardo Lopez and his team to Laredo and in return, we promise to give local soccer and sports fans of the two Laredo’s a first in terms of this game by having the top tier teams of our respective cities showcase their talents”.

The Nuevo Laredo Bravos play in the Federacion Mexicana de Futbol’s (the Mexican Soccer Federation) Second Division, only two tiers below the top division, Primera Division, of the league.

Ticket prices for the Inaugural Copa LareDOS will be kept in line with the Laredo Heat’s philosophy of providing affordable family entertainment:

-          General Admission Tickets: $5.00

-          Children 12 years and under: free

-          VIP Area Tickets: $20.00 (Adults and Children)