Match Preview: Heat gearing up for back-to-back versus Baton Rouge

Come Sunday, the Heat (3-1-3, 12 points) will either find themselves in second place in the Mid-South Division or running in the middle of the pack chasing the Austin Aztex with the rest of the teams.

Currently, the Heat are tied with the New Orleans Shell Shockers (3-3-3 / 12 points) and this weekend foe, the Baton Rouge Capitals (4-3-0 / 12 points). The Shell Shockers have played two more games than the Heat and Capitals.

Kick-off for both matches is set for 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the Texas A&M International Soccer Complex.

For the Heat, playing two games at home, versus the team which they are tied, could not have come at a better time.

“These types of pressure situations is what shows what a team is made of and it will show me the level of commitment I have for the remainder of the season. We could not have asked for a better set-up to dictate the rest of the season," said Heat Head Coach Israel Collazo.

“I expect Baton Rouge to come all out this weekend and give it their all because they are in the same situation as we are and I would not expect their organization to be any different than us in their approach to these two pivotal matches."

This weekend will also be the Heat’s “Make-A-Wish Weekend”, and on both Friday and Saturday, Heat staff will be distributing Heat logo decals prior to the game from 7-8 p.m. at the TAMIU Soccer Complex Parking Lot.

All fans attending the games will be asked if a decal can be placed on their vehicles at no charge to them. The goal this year, as in years past, is to place 500 decals on cars and to bring attention to the community commitment of both the South Texas Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Laredo Heat.

Local Wish Child Luis Flores will be granted his wish at halftime of Saturday evening's match. The 16-year-old Flores has been diagnosed with leukemia and his wish is to have a full blown entertainment system to enjoy movies and play video games.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Laredo Heat invite all of all Laredo to come support Luis and his family to make this evening a memorable occasion for him.