Heat in town tonight ; Division champions play twinbill
By NINO CARDENAS, LAREDO MORNING TIMES
07/14/2006
The Laredo Heat doesnt plan to take tonights and Saturdays doubleheader lightly.They host El Paso tonight and Dallas-Fort Worth on Saturday at the Student Activity Complex in the Premier Developmental League.
The way these two teams have been playing in the final stretch, Laredo cant afford to loosen up the reins.
In its last four games El Paso hasnt allowed a goal, having two scoreless ties and sweeping Austin twice.
Dallas has three wins and a tie, that came against El Paso, in their last four matches.
With the Mid-South Division title under their belts Laredo head coach Israel Collazo plans to give the clubs young talent more playing time, but at the same time wants to keep his starters in game rhythm once the playoffs start.
"I want the team to maintain the same mentality weve had since the beginning. To have the same hunger for a win that they have displayed," Collazo said.
As for the extra playing time for the reserve players, the coach wants to gradually incorporate them. He wants the young players to learn alongside the veterans, not just throw them out to the wolves, without any support.
Laredo (12-1-0, 36 points) is still playing for the top record in the PDL. They trail the Carolina Dynamo, who at 12-0-1 is the leader by one point.
"I have a great group of players. They have done all the work and have sacrificed themselves this season to be where they are," Collazo said.
So in order to hit the playoffs in full stride the club wants to finish the season on a winning note.
After the doubleheader they travel to El Paso for a rematch against the Patriots.
"There are still three games left and we plan to play them the same way we have all season. We want to get into the playoffs at 150 percent, its a whole new season," the Heats Daniel Galvan said.
The Heat has made life miserable for opposing defenses with a diversified attack.
Ten different players have scored for Laredo this season. Leading the way are two Monterrey products in Hector "La Gota" Vallejo with seven and Juan de Dios Ibarra with six.
Jesus "Chuy" Sanchez and Jacob Almack follow with four goals. Arnoldo Presas and Daniel Galvan have three.
Steve Su leads the team with six assists. Raul Quinones, Sanchez and Vallejo follow with three each.
In a related issue the Roma FC that ousted the Laredo Heat from the U.S. Open Cup tournament defeated the Chivas USA team of Major League Soccer on penalties after a 0-0 draw at the end of regulation.
Romas trip was almost cut short against Laredo at the SAC, they rallied for a tie and edged the Heat on penalties.
