Laredo Heat News Release -- www.laredoheatsc.com
Thursday, May 19, 2011
LAREDO, Texas -- The Monterrey Rayados Under-20 soccer team trotted out some projected Mexican national players when they played a friendly against the Laredo Heat Thursday night at the TAMIU Soccer Complex. The Heat could not contain the Rayados’ speed and ball movement as it dropped a 3-2 decision.
“This is good practice for my team. This game gave me an opportunity to see all the players on the roster,” Heat coach Israel Collazo said. “I am happy with the game. The important game for us is the one on Saturday (at Rio Grande Valley) and that is the one that we are thinking about.”
The Rayados scored 15 minutes into the game on a well-designed play. After getting the ball deep in Heat territory, Cesar De La Pena took a pass and let the ball fly 25 yards away from the net beyond the reach of Laredo goalie Maros Valko for a 1-0 lead.
The Heat were patient on offense in the first half, looking for a small seam of opportunity to get one by Rayados goalie Justin Perez. The opportunity came in the 42nd minute when a familiar face to Laredo soccer put the team on his back, attempting to get the Heat back into the game.
Felix Garcia found himself in familiar territory, deep in an opponent’s field. He took a pass from midfield and, with a burst of speed, took charge at the goal with three Rayados defenders hanging on to him. Garcia shook off the defense and found a clear shot 30 yards from goal as the ball sailed just beyond the reach of the goalie’s hands and knotted the 1-1.
Laredo outshot the Rayados 6-3 in the first half, but only was able to punch one into the net.
Collazo utilized the second half to give many of his starters a rest and give quality minutes to those who don’t see the field as often.
“This game just really showed me all the players and what they could do,” he said. “They made a couple of goals when I made the substitution, but we are fine with that.”
Six minutes into the second half, the Rayados took the lead once again on a shot by Marcelo Cazaubon. The Rayados were not done penetrating deep into Heat territory, however, adding to their lead six minutes later on a goal by Alejandro Garcia.
Heat forward Esteban Bayona scored for the home side to make the score 3-2 in the 61st minute but that was all the offense the Laredo club could muster for the remainder of the game.
Back to the PDL Regular Season
After taking a short break from their Premier Development League (PDL) regular season to play the Rayados de Monterrey Under 20’s, the Heat (2 – 1 – 0, 6 points) will be back at it as they head to Edinburgh, Texas for their first away game in 2011 to take on the expansion Rio Grande Valley Grandes (0 – 3 – 0, 0 points) on Saturday at Edinburgh Field. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.
The two teams opened their respective 2011 PDL Regular Season versus each other in Laredo on Friday, May 6th with the Heat taking that contest by a score of 5 – 1.
“We definitely expect a different game when we visit their place this weekend,” Collazo said. “The Grandes have since played against El Paso and West Texas United at home and though they lost those games, both defeats were only by one goal.
“I expect to see a different line-up from them as I have seen that “Chuy” Mireles is now part of their team, which is good to see because he is one heck of a player. I have already told our players to forget the El Paso loss at home last week and that now it is time to focus on getting back on track with the rest of our regular season.”
For additional information on the Laredo Heat Soccer Club, please visit our website at www.laredoheatsc.com or call the Heat office at (956) 723-4700.