Laredo Heat Feature -- www.laredoheatsc.com
Monday, May 5, 2014
LAREDO, Texas – Through a three-game preseason stint, Laredo Heat forward Yair Hernandez has already matched his goal-scoring mark from last year. His three goals through three matches already stands eye-to-eye with the trio of goals he notched in 13 games last season.
The under-23-year-old Mexican entered Heat camp as one of Laredo’s few sure-thing returners this year. With just five players returning to a team filled with new faces, the Heat open their 10th anniversary season as Hernandez joins midfielder Greg Mulamba, left back Adan Villavicencio, forward Danny Garza, and right back Frank Lara.
So far, Hernandez has shown off a familiarity to coach Fernando Hernandez’s tactics, and he’s flourished.
“I’ve been put in such good positions so far,” Yair Hernandez said through a translator. “The goals that have been scored are not about who scores them – whether its me or someone else. A goal is exciting, no matter if it comes from a set piece, the run of play or an opponent’s own goal.
“I’ve been focused on working hard to help the team; everyone has that attitude and that’s why we are playing like we are.”
He opened the scoring in the Heat’s preseason opener, netting Laredo’s only goal at NCAA Division II St. Edward’s on April 25. Down a goal against the Hilltoppers – Heartland Conference co-champions in 2013 – and on the road, Hernandez struck the equalizer at a vital moment. Thanks to his tally in the 28th minute, the match ended as a 1-1 draw, although Hernandez was already smoldering.
One game, one goal.
Two days later at NCAA Division I Incarnate Word in San Antonio. Hernandez shattered a scoreless match with a strike off a corner kick just before the halftime whistle. A Cardinals 52nd-minute equalizer knotted the game, but the Heat seized the victory with an 83rd-minute goal.
Two games, two impact goals for Hernandez.
In the finale of three friendlies, the Heat hosted Corinthians FC of San Antonio on Friday at the Texas A&M International Soccer Complex. The physical game featured former Heat players making their return as opponents, as well as a competition between two teams from rival developmental leagues; the powder keg was primed to explode on the pitch, and Hernandez stood center stage.
In an illustration of déjà vu, Hernandez opened the scoring again, this time in the 13th minute. And again it demolished a scoreless draw off a precision-placed free kick.
The Heat handled the kick from about six yards outside the penalty box near the right corner flag. Hernandez sprinted toward the penalty spot, completely unmarked, to shave home a 12-yard strike. He barely celebrated, save a slight smirk, because he knew it was coming – it was as sure a thing as could be.
“We planned it; we wanted to make it happen, so we did it,” Hernandez said. “We constructed and practiced that play all week (after the Incarnate Word match). It only took one look from me to the free-kick taker, and just like that we had the goalkeeper out of position and the ball in the net.
“It could not have been more perfect: to score like that at the home opener for our fans.”
Three games, three goals.
Hernandez says he hasn’t even thought about any individual aspirations for this season – he just wants the team to do well and to be in a position to win a trophy in either of the Heat’s two competitions this year.
“We want to win, that’s all,” Hernandez said. “We want to please our supporters, our families and each other with the way we play. If we can do that, we’ll be in position to do special things. I think all of us want to go far in the (Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup) and test ourselves against the nation’s best, and we want to get Laredo another (Premier Development League) championship.”
The Heat have never missed the playoffs in the nine years they’ve been eligible. They’ve played in four PDL Finals – winning it all in 2007 – with the last coming in 2011.
Laredo hosts a second round U.S. Open Cup match against the winner of the first round meeting between the Colorado Rovers and Red Force on May 14 at the TAMIU Soccer Complex. Three days later, Laredo hosts the Houston Dutch Lions in the league opener at TAMIU. Both matches kick off at 8 p.m.