Beats Dutch Lions FC With a Man Down
After its first four games, it’s no longer a secret within the NPSL’s Lone Star Conference that the Laredo Heat SC (5-0-0, 15 points) have a target on their back and this last home was proof of that when the Dutch Lions FC (3-2-0, 9 points) came into town and came very close to handing the Gateway City club its first deficit in a game during the season. The game was tougher than most so far, but two late goals for the home side sealed the deal to keep them unbeaten.
Playing with only 10 men after a first-half red card issued to defender Christian Roman in the 35th minute for a sliding tackle in the box, the Heat claimed a 2-0 victory over the Dutch Lions FC to improve to 5-0 in the Lone Star Conference.
Laredo forward Ziyad Fares scored his third goal of the season in the 65th minute and defender Younes Boudadi pounded his penalty kick attempt in the 87th minute to give Laredo another three points in front of the home fans on a very hot, humid evening at the Texas A&M International University Soccer Complex.
The Heat victory snapped a two-game winning streak for the Dutch Lions which came into town looking to take three points on the road but net minder Carlos Herrera saved the day in the 35th minute with a blocked of the ensuing penalty kick from the Dutch Lions’ Yinka Lawal and the ball was punched out of the box to keep the game scoreless.
Houston kept the pressure into the second half. Laredo’s Guillermo Diaz had to work to dribble the ball out of pressure in the 48th minute. The Dutch Lions had another clear look four minutes later, but Herrera punched the strike away from the far post.
But Fares would give the Heat control.
Not giving up after turnover, the Creighton midfielder stole the ball from the Dutch Lions’ right back. And he netted the goal from the left side of the field after a few dribbles.
The home team sealed the win in the 87th minute. Petteri Pietola drew a penalty kick in the 87th minute after attempting to cross back to the middle from his right. Boudadi did the honors, netting the ball in the left post to give the Heat the 2-0 advantage.
The Heat have a small break from NPSL action and will return to play on Thursday, June 21st when they travel to Shreveport. LA to take on the Rafters FC at Lee Hedges Stadium, kickoff will be at 6:30 pm.
After playing in Louisiana, Laredo will continue to play to more away games, versus Tyler and Brownsville before coming back to the Texas A&M International University Soccer Complex to battle expansion side Katy 1895 FC on Saturday, June 30th.
Contributor: Laredo Heat SC
Photo Credit: Luis Tienda