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Heat Bidding War

The Laredo Heat are getting ready to take on several opponents in an all-out (drum roll) bidding war.Yes, bidding war.

On this occasion the Heat administration is going to get its hands dirty as they prepare to put together a package for the United Soccer League as to why they should be awarded the rights to host the Southern Conference championship.

Front offices around the Premier Development League Southern Conference are revving up their copy machines, sharpening their pencils and getting all the other office ammunition ready to impress the committee.

"This Conference Hosting Bid process is strictly an administrative procedure and as part of the Heat Administration, along with owners Shashi and Priya Vaswani, we will do our best to present the best bid to the league and hopefully bring this great soccer event to the Gateway City. Of course, before any of this happens, Coach Collazo and his staff, along with the players, need to their part by winning on the field to assure the event does happen," Heat General Manager, J.J. Vela said.

The field is comprised of Mississippi and El Paso from the Mid-South and the Central Florida Kraze from Orlando, FL, the Carolina Dynamo from Greensboro, North Carolina, the Cary Railhawks from Cary, North Carolina, Bradenton Academics from Bradenton, Florida and the Atlanta Silverbacks from Atlanta, Georgia, all out of the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference.

Borrowing a page from Highlander in the end there could be only one, minus the beheadings.

The first round is directly linked to the regular season as only two teams from both divisions are going to advance to the postseason.

Even so all the possible contenders are taking proactive measures and mailing in their forms as soon as possible.

At the frontlines are their players grinding it out on the field for a chance to extend their season into August.

Once the final four teams have set themselves apart from the fray the USL will take into consideration what each of the remaining four cities have to offer.

"We've been through this process before. Just last year, our bid to host the Southern Conference Championships here in Laredo came in second to the one from the Carolina Dynamo and the City of Greensboro hosted soccer teams from Augusta, Georgia, Bradenton, Florida and of course, us" Heat General Manager, J.J. Vela said.

In the final two weeks of the season the Heat has to put together what is essentially a résumé.

Giving the Heat an edge is that Laredo already showcased itself last season when the Heat won the bid to host the PDL Championship.

Another factor despite the amenities is the level of interest from the fans and the attendance numbers.

The Heat has two more contests over the weekend against Austin to demonstrate that they have the drawing power to host the Southern championship.

Last year's final was a success administratively, despite the Heat's loss to the Michigan Bucks.

"After last season, the USL has a very good idea of what to expect from Laredo if any playoff games are granted to us. The league, not to mention, the Michigan Bucks, left Laredo very impressed with the Gateway City after the USL PDL Championship Game and what they referred to as savvy soccer fans," Vela said.

The playoffs kickoff the weekend of the 27 and a decision by the USL comes no later than the 22.

Tickets for the games are $6 and kids 12 and under get in free.

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