The United Soccer League has laid down the law, regarding the extracurricular activities between the Laredo Heat and the Rio Grande Valley Bravos that took place last week.
As far as the league is concerned, it has washed its hands of the mess and strongly urged for both teams to do the same.
Especially since the two clubs meet again tonight in Hidalgo, and once more in Laredo on July 9.
The activities came about after the Heat and Bravos’ last game in which Bravos coach Ismael “Moreira” Braga went over to the Heat bench and issued some words to the Heat’s Greg Mulamba.
A shoving match ensued and the league handed out suspension and fines after reviewing the video.
The coach was mad because he felt the tackle Mulamba had on Jesus Mireles, which broke his fibula was dirty. Mulamba was cleared of any wrongdoing by the league.
The Heat’s (4-1-6, 18 points) Mulamba, Eric Acevedo and Alejandro de La Fuente were suspended for tonight’s game and fined $25 each.
For the Bravos (4-3-4, 16), Braga is suspended three games and fined $150.
Back-up goalie Eric Chapa is suspended two games and fined $50.
The league also fined each team $250.
“Honestly, while I might not agree with all their decisions, it’s time to move on. I have to focus on preparing the team and look for solutions in how we can win tonight with the players we do have,” Heat coach Israel Collazo said.
“It will be a highly contested game, but I don’t think it will or should go beyond that. We are going to go out and play and be respectful.”
Fines were also handed out to Laredo’s Juan de Dios Ibarra ($50) and Esteban Bayona ($50).
Ibarra was fined for throwing a water bottle, while Bayona, who was on crutches, shouldn’t have been on the field at all, but still was.
In the Bravos corner, Alfonso Cavaso was fined $50, along with Edgar Cona, both for throwing water bottles.
Of note, is that the Bravos are a pay-for-play club, as they elected to pay their players for their services.
They’re the only team in the Mid-South Division to sign their players in exchange for money.
In their previous two games, the Heat has finished the contests with at least a man down. It has also rallied to tie the game in both matches.
Its first encounter was a 3-3 stalemate back in May, followed by the 1-1 tie two weeks ago.
While the Heat welcomes back defender Pedro Ramos and midfielder Luis Reyes, it loses a key figure in the midfield in Mulamba, who had emerged as the team’s go-to guy on offense, having scored three goals in the last three games.
Also missing the match is defender Acevedo.
The club is already without its top scorer in Bayona, leaving the offense a work in progress.
Helping alleviate the scoring woes is the return of Albert “Chiti” Escovar. Escovar logged some minutes in Friday’s contest, so his availability for a full game is still in question.
“It’s important to keep all your players on the field for continuity and familiarity’s sake, but you can’t predict this sort of thing. We have to adjust, adapt and look for what works for us,” Collazo said.
In its last game, the Heat moved Dionisio “Nicho” Infante back on top alongside Frank Lara.
Infante has some experience atop, so Escovar would be a welcome addition, being that he has played at the university level.
The more likely option is Luis Reyes as an offensive-minded midfielder, with Nicho alone at top.
Lara and Eusebio Garcia have seen some time at the forward position and should see some playing time.
Making an impact lately is midfielder Alex Hergert, who is likely going to called on again with Mulamba out.
The return of Ramos and Soamy Bautista allows for Danny Galvan to return to his natural position in the midfield.
“It’s going to be a difficult match and I expect a hostile welcome. It’s an extremely important match because we both need those three points that are up for grabs,” Collazo said.
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