Heat prepare for semifinals

While the city goes about its everyday business looking for something to do in order to break from the monotony of the workweek and nightlife there is a select group of indivduals awaiting, yet again, an opportunity of a lifetime.

Laredo gets a sports treat as its very own Laredo Heat (10-4-4) venture into the Premier Development League semifinals for the third time in a row and are on the verge of further adding to their rich playoff history if they advance to the championships.

No team in the PDL or any of the nation’s other professional soccer leagues have seen the same club set foot in the championship game.

Saturday, the Southern Conference champ Heat hosts Eastern Conference champ Reading Rage (13-3-2) at the Texas A&M International soccer grounds.

“This team (Heat) plays with soul and heart, and they leave it all on the field. We’re hoping the city comes out and supports us,” Heat coach Israel Collazo said.

Earlier in the month, with the Heat’s chances of clinching a playoff spot on the line, the club switched gears and steamrolled into the playoffs. It isn’t planning on easing up any time soon.

“As the Houston Leones game was coming up, I told the guys that we have seven games left to play in the season. This game is the beginning of our championship run, and I firmly believed the team has it in them,” Collazo said.

Three crucial regular season games and two postseason games later the Heat is looking to prove Collazo a seer as the final two games approach.

“It’s as I’ve said before, its not about getting their first, but about knowing how it is you got there,” Collazo said.

With players’ mindsets in high gear and stress and pressure increasing at every turn, the club’s previous playoff history has been the calming force they’ve needed.

“The last three regular season games were essentially like gasoline for us in that they became the driving force which we are riding at the moment,” Collazo said.

The Heat’s five game winning streak began with a goal barrage against the Leones, 7-0. It was followed by a crucial win over bitter rival El Paso (3-1) and a easy shutout over a deflated New Orleans team (4-0) to close out the regular season.

The Heat crashed a party in Florida by defeating the host Central Florida Kraze in a nerve racking 2-1 win and finally plucked the thorn from their side by beating the Austin Aztex 3-1 in their third attempt.

“The party was set in anticipation of a Florida win, and unfortunately they ran into us and we had enough to win,” Collazo said.

“We were up 2-1 and controlled the game up to the 80th minute, then with their backs against the wall they began to control the pace and it proved to be a difficult and tiring game,” he added.
The Kraze had the benefit of nine minutes of compensation time, but still fell short of knocking in the tying score.

The following day versus Austin things began as they did before with Laredo trailing, but ended with a much different outcome.

“Austin in the first 25 minutes ran over us with quality football, but after that we took control of the game and the ejection of one of their players in the 42nd minute also helped,” Collazo said.
The Heat was spurred by its offensive weapon, Felix Garcia, who collected three goals in the games. While Felix adding to his goal tally doesn’t come as a surprise, the two goals Greg Mulamba scored were a welcome sight.

“Mulamba to me has been the team MVP. I mean, yes, the whole team has been outstanding, but he’s a player that plays in a position that doesn’t lend itself to attention from the fans. He has been stealing and passing and basically helping stabilize the midfield all season,” Collazo said.

Mulamba has three goals on the season and Felix has scored 14 goals.