Unfinished business played a significant part in midfielder Oscar Govea deciding to run it back with the Laredo Heat SC for the 2022 National Premier Soccer League season. After seeing a successful season cut short in the Lone Star Conference championship against the eventual national champion, Govea is eager to help the Heat fulfill their potential this year.
“It was kind of a last-minute thing, and I’m excited,” Govea said. “I had a great chat with coach John Powell about coming back and having another run at it. It was unfortunate how everything ended up going down. We were having a really good season before the conference championships.”
Along with the unfinished business, Govea is also focused on continuing to build his relationships with the coaching staff. He is eager to further develop his game under head coach John Powell and assistant coaches Roger Bonilla and Adam Miller before he begins pushing for a professional career. 
“I’m really excited to run it back and see the coaching staff again,” he said. “I already knew JP and got pretty close with him, and I’m looking forwarded to getting to know Roger and Adam even more.”
Govea was instrumental to the Heat’s offensive and defensive efforts last summer as Laredo led the Lone Star Conference with only 10 goals allowed in 10 regular season games while ranking second by scoring 27 goals. The Heat posted five clean sheets including in the playoff opener, and Govea picked up an assist during that 3-0 victory over the Midland-Odessa Sockers FC. His efforts landed him a spot in the Conference XI Selections for the Lone Star Conference.
Laredo finished the season 8-2-2 as it fell 3-1 on the road against the Denton Diablos FC in the conference championships. The game went down to the wire as the Heat battled for an equalizer in extra time until the Diablos scored just before the final whistle to ice the victory. Denton – a team Laredo beat 3-2 during the regular season – went on to win the national championship, and Govea and the Heat are aiming to dethrone the champions and go all the way this year.
“We’re thrilled to have OG back in the fold for this season,” Laredo Heat SC President Shashi Vaswani said. “He played a large role in our success last season, and I know he is as hungry as the rest of us in the organization to take the next step and go all the way. He will be a great leader as we push for a national championship in 2022.”
Govea is one of three returning starters this season as he is joined by defenders and Scotland natives Liam Morrison and Louis Wilson. Also returning are local players Hector Arreola, Jorge “Koke” Mares and Jose Rivera. The rest of the roster will be newcomers including eight new starters, but Govea is confident in the team’s ability to quickly develop a rapport and establish a winning culture.
“It will mainly be a new starting group and we’ll start from the beginning again,” he said. “Obviously Louis, Liam and I know what to expect from JP and his coaching staff in terms of style of play and how to get the group growing together to build camaraderie. It will be nice getting to know new guys and building that relationship.”
Laredo opens the season on the road May 13 against the Corinthians FC of San Antonio before returning to host three matches in seven days. The Heat welcome the FC Brownsville Explorers on Wednesday, May 18 for their home opener. The home stretch continues Saturday, May 21 against the Temple Coyotes FC and concludes on Tuesday, May 24 against the Austin United FC.
The Heat play their home matches at the TAMIU Soccer Complex. Tickets are $5 for general admission and $20 for VIP access, and children 12 and under get in free.
Visit laredoheatsc.com and follow @laredoheatsc on social media to stay up to date on the latest news including upcoming player announcements. Any youth players interested in joining the academy can visit laredoheatscyouth.com for more information.