U.S. versus Mexico highlight National games in July

By NINO CARDENAS
LAREDO MORNING TIMES

It’s time to break out those national soccer team jerseys and take a stand. When it comes to Mexico versus the United States, there is no middle ground.

From a game of marbles to the world’s biggest and most popular sport, pitting the U.S. and Mexico together provides a volatile and entertaining combination.

“This is one of the biggest rivalries in the world,” Laredo Heat owner Shashi Vaswani said. “Some of these kids are going on to Egypt (Under-20 World Cup) and in 2010 some might be in South Africa (World Cup).”

The Laredo Heat organization unveiled Wednesday at the La Quinta Inn that the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National team is paying a visit to the Gateway City to take on the Under-20 Mexico team on July 11 at the Texas A&M International soccer complex.

The Mexican squad is taking on the Laredo Heat two days prior to the historic match at TAMIU.

The match promises to be the beginning to what the Heat hopes is a constant stream of undeniable soccer talent to Laredo.

With national pride on the line, and Laredo a predominately Hispanic population, it will be interesting to see what shade dominates with the 4,000 fans in attendance.

The team originally wanted to hold the game at the Student Activity Center and its 8,000 capacity, but the SAC is under maintenance.

Only 3,250 general admission tickets are going to be sold and 750 VIP tickets for both games.

Tickets to the U.S. and Mexico game go on sale June 24 through July 10 and are available at Palenque Grill, Talk Time, Gametronics and all Taco Palenque locations, or by calling (956) 723-4700.

Pre-sale ticket prices are $25 and $40 for VIP seats, while game day tickets are $35 and $50 for VIP.

Laredo Heat versus Mexico game tickets can be acquired by calling the Heat office or purchasing the ticket at the gate the day of the game.

The prices are $10 for adults, kids five through 12 $5 and VIP seating at $20.
Both games are at 8 p.m.

“The U.S. is the home team and they do get part of the sponsorships and gate fees,” Vaswani said. “We are doing what we can to keep these prices down.”

Helping the U.S. case in attracting fans is that local striker Felix Garcia is suiting up the U.S. side.

“It’ll be the first time that my family and friends get to see me play with the National team,” said Garcia, who had a role in making the match happen.

“We mainly got this because of Garcia,” Vaswani said. “I don’t know how I would put it in words when you get to play with your national team.”

Joining Garcia at the press conference was midfielder Juan De Dios Ibarra.

“It’s extremely motivating to us, to all the Mexicans to be able to play against our own national team,” Ibarra said. “We are going to give it our all, but our main goal is to keep on focusing on defending the championship in the PDL.”

The 16-man rosters won’t be released until later, but odds are that some of the players are going to be representing their nation in the biggest stage of them all by 2010.

Both clubs are getting ready for the CONCACAF qualifying tournament, where the top teams earn a spot for the 2009 World Cup being held in Egypt.

The United Sates is coached by Thomas Rongen, who in a press release on his team’s website expressed the benefits that playing a club like Mexico brings to his team, especially with CONCACAF Qualifying around the corner.

Laredo Heat head coach Israel Collazo noted the unique opportunity that this game brings about, not only to him and his players, but to the city itself.

A successful turnout for both games lays out the foundation for more quality soccer games in Laredo.

“If the people want to see teams from Mexico’s first division, then we must show them that we are interested in seeing them,” Collazo said. “The impression that we give the teams is going to echo throughout once they leave Laredo.

“This is an important opportunity.”

As early as next year, the Laredo Heat might play a match against a Mexican “Primera Division” team and not the special reserves.

The Austin Aztex are hosting the Tigres “Primera Divison” team on June 29, as the Mexican team kicks of a slate of exhibition games before their season.