Laredo Takes Down the Twin City Toucans, Clinches Division Title

The Heat Will Now Focus on Winning the Remaining Last Two Regular Season Games with Eyes on the Possibility of Hosting the USL2 Conference Playoffs

Friday, July 4, 2025 (Laredo, TX): The Fourth of July fireworks had an extra ounce of celebration Thursday night at PEG Energy Stadium as the Laredo Heat SC secured the Lone Star Division championship.

With the title, the Heat (9-1-0, 27 points) also secured a playoff berth in their return to USL League 2. They locked up the championship with a 2-0 victory over the Twin City Toucans (4-4-2, 14 points).

It was Laredo’s first USL2 match since suffering its only loss 4-1 at Corpus Christi FC (4-3-2, 14 points) on June 21. That loss remains the only time the Heat have allowed multiple goals and the only time they have been held without multiple scores. In its nine victories, Laredo has outscored opponents 29-5.

Thursday was the fourth clean sheet of the season for the Heat and their second at PEG Energy Stadium. Marc Bonnaire was named the Man of the Match for his efforts in net.

Laredo native and Alexander High School graduate Gael Gallegos scored for the second straight match as he put the Heat ahead in the 14th minute. He took a pass from Sergio Meza at the top center of the box, cut to the right and shot into the lower left corner.

In the 73rd minute, Asael Montoya attempted a bicycle kick off a cross from Henox Roque. The attempt fell short but left the ball in front of the net, and Ahinga Selemani cleaned it up for a 2-0 lead.

The Heat have 30 goals from 11 players led by Meza and Kai Louviere at five each and Ismael Mane with four. Laredo also has three goals each from Gallegos, Elie Bokota and Volkan Celikkol, two from Adam Knutson and one each from Selemani, Vincent Montoya, Martin Piedeleu, Roque and Todd Vromant.

With the division and a playoff spot locked up, Laredo shifts its focus to building momentum heading into the postseason along with aiming to improve its record in hopes of hosting matches. The Heat travel to The Woodlands, TX for a 7 p.m. matchup July 8 against GFI (3-4-2, 11 points) then host the AHFC Royals from Houston (6-3-1, 19 points) at 7:45 p.m. on July 12 to close out the regular season.

For tickets, visit laredoheatsc.thundertix.com/events, and for additional information, visit team.laredoheatsc.com.

To stream matches for free this season using SportsEngine Play, visit sportsengineplay.com or download the app.