A journey beginning with crossing the border daily for training with the Laredo Heat SC youth academy has paid off for Nuevo Laredo’s Enrique Moreno with his dedication earning him a spot on the roster for the 2022 National Premier Soccer League season.

“When I got the notice, I was so excited. I can be a part of and give back to a program that has given me so much,” Moreno said. “Being able to play with them is really exciting. I want to see what I can do with them, and hopefully I can do some great things with this team. Since I was in the U15, I always wanted to train and practice with the NPSL team. Now that I can, it is a dream come true.”

Moreno, who recently celebrated his 18th birthday, began competing with the Heat nearly five years ago as a goalkeeper with the U15 team. He commuted from Nuevo Laredo for every training session until he moved in with his uncle in Laredo to attend high school.

“Joining the academy was the best thing that could happen to me. Nobody else does this on either side of the border,” Moreno said. “The level of the coaches, the staff and everything is something that nobody else is doing. It is a great platform. If you really have the passion and really want to do it, it is a great place to do that. You get all the tools and all the contacts at your disposal. They give you everything. That is what is great about the Heat.”

Signing Moreno enhances the Heat’s mission of building up and promoting homegrown talent. He is the sixth local athlete announced for the roster and the first from Nuevo Laredo. He joins Colorado Mesa University’s Connor Durant as keepers announced for the 2022 season.

“Enrique Moreno is another great example of the talent coming out of Laredo,” Laredo Heat SC President Shashi Vaswani said. “We are thrilled to see more and more local athletes working their way up to the NPSL level. Enrique has shown great passion and dedication during his time with the academy to earn this opportunity, and we’re confident he will keep playing hard for the Heat.”

The Heat will feature three new local athletes this year with Moreno joining midfielder Andres Herrera and defender Sebastian Rivera. Laredo also returns local defenders Hector Arreola, Jorge “Koke” Mares and Jose Rivera who helped the 2021 team make a run to the Lone Star Conference championship game while featuring the No. 1 defense and No. 2 offense in the division during an 8-2-2 season.

Moreno and Mares are reunited after previously teaming up at United High School. A December graduate from United, Moreno played his first two seasons with the Longhorns before spending his junior and senior years seeking opportunities in Mexico which included training with Atlas, Tigres and Toluca.

“Having Koke on the team is great,” Moreno said. “It is going to be more comfortable while getting used to the team and everything. It helps already having that chemistry with one of my teammates.”

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.