The Laredo Heat SC went on a two-game road trip to Houston and returned to the Gateway City with four points.
The Heat (2-0-1, 10 points) started the road trip with a 1-1 tie against Houston FC (0-1-2, 2 points), then won 2-1 against AHFC Royals (2-1-1, 7 points).
Against Houston FC, the Heat found themselves up 1-0 in the 60th minute after a goal by Dereck Espinal, who subbed in just four minutes prior. Adam Knutson sent a cross into the center of the box and Espinal headed it to himself, then tapped it toward the net, cut through two defenders and shot low into the short side of the net.
It was Espinal’s third goal in two games.
The Heat were on their way to winning the low-scoring affair, but Houston FC scored in the 90th minute to force a tie with the defending Lone Star Division champions.
But Laredo responded with its biggest win of the season so far. The Heat topped AHFC 2-1 after goals by Hermenegildo Escobar in the 30th minute and Juan Romero in the 56th minute. AHFC’s lone goal came in the 45th minute.
Prior to the road trip, Heat coach Johnny Ibarra called the matchup against AHFC one that could determine the division champion. Although it’s still early in the season, a win over the Royals puts the Heat on the fast track to defend their division title.
AHFC and Global Football Innovation both sit behind the Heat’s first-place 10 points with seven points.
With the two-game road trip over, the Heat will now have three straight home matches at PEG Energy Stadium. They host AC Houston Sur (0-2-0, 0 points) on June 6, Lonestar SC (1-1-0, 3 points) on June 9, and Twin City (1-2-0, 3 points) on June 17. All three matches start at 7:45 p.m.