Heat ready for Bravos exhibition game

By NINO CARDENAS
LAREDO MORNING TIMES

Coach Israel Collazo is able to take a look at how his Laredo Heat players react in an in-game situation, ultimately, means little.

Coach Ricardo Lopez of the Nuevo Laredo Bravos, on the other hand, needs to leave something in the tank as his team prepares to wrap up its 2009 campaign.

More importantly, the Gateway City fans in attendance tonight (8 p.m.) for the showdown between the two clubs get to witness what they have to offer as they take part in their first LareDOS cup at the Texas A&M International soccer grounds.

“We are going to see two teams which feature a lot of youth; teams that are going to give it their all. Both teams have excellent coaches on their benches,” Bravos president Cesar Valdez said.

The ticket prices are $5 for adults and children 12-and-under get in free.

The fact that the Bravos are coming into the game with the majority of the season already played should give them the slight edge.

Leveling the playing field for the Heat is that the Bravos players are all 21 years old or younger.

Also, the core of the team, depending on how much it plays, shouldn’t need much time getting back into the flow of things.

The Heat has 11 players already signed. Those players are going to be joined by potential teammates who will try and make a case to earn their spot on the roster.

“This will be an entertaining game with a lot of goal opportunities,” Collazo said. “The pace should be up and down, with both teams being more aggressive than usual.

“We’ll put on a great show and hope to see the fans come out and support us.”

The Heat are hoping to get a scrimmage in Houston over the weekend before the Premier Development League season begins on May 2 on the road against the expansion Rio Grande Valley Dorados.