Heat alums Boudadi, Diaz reflect on time in Laredo

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The Laredo Heat’s mission is to grow the sport in the United States. It also wants to help players who aspire to play professionally one day.

Laredo’s goals match the National Premier Soccer League’s, which is the league the Heat play in. The NPSL’s mission is to grow the sport in America by providing the league members with a sustainable business model and professionally managed platform. Not only that, but by serving as an inspiration to players and fans in the league member’s communities.

In its three seasons within the NPSL, Laredo has accomplished its mission. It has helped grow the soccer community in the Gateway City and has helped players who have worn the Red & Black achieve their professional dreams.

Two Heat-NPSL alums have gone to play professionally after spending a season in Laredo. Center back Younes Boudadi and midfielder Memo Diaz both played for the Heat during the 2018 season. Now, they are playing in the USL Championship League, which is the second highest division within the United States Soccer Federation.

Diaz is in his second season with El Paso Locomotive FC while Boudadi is a rookie with Reno 1868 FC. Boudadi was originally set to start his pro career with LAFC as the organization drafted him 102nd overall in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft. However, LAFC released him before the start of the MLS season.

“It’s been really good,” Diaz said of his professional career. “I’ve been learning a lot. I’m playing next to a lot of experienced players, which has been tough on getting minutes but like I said, I’m learning from a great group of guys and that will help me in future years in my career.”

Boudadi added: “It is a great feeling knowing all the work from myself and the sacrifices my family made in the previous years have paid off. Getting drafted to LAFC and joining them in the preseason was an amazing experience. Ending up in Reno is a great opportunity and steppingstone at the beginning of my career. I feel like it is a good fit for me with their style of play and they have established themselves as a powerhouse in the western conference. So, I’m very happy to be here.”

Laredo Heat midfielder Guillermo Diaz battles a Houston Dutch Lions player as they battled in the NPSL Lone Star Conference Championship game at the TAMIU Soccer Complex Saturday, July 14, 2018. Laredo Heat midfielder Guillermo Diaz battles a Houston Dutch Lions player as they battled in the NPSL Lone Star Conference Championship game at the TAMIU Soccer Complex Saturday, July 14, 2018. Photo: Cuate Santos / Laredo Morning Times Photo: Cuate Santos / Laredo Morning Times Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Heat alums Boudadi, Diaz reflect on time in Laredo 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Both players enjoyed their lone season in the Gateway City. That year the Heat went 10-0-0 during the regular season and went into the NPSL playoffs as the top seed out of 98 teams nationally. Unfortunately for them and Laredo, their run came to an end after two postseason wins when the team lost 2-1 in overtime to the Little Rock Rangers in the South Region semifinals, finishing three games shy of the national championship.

While they only spent one season with the Heat, both give credit to the organization in helping them achieve their pro dreams. Both learned how to be a professional while in Laredo.

“I played the whole season in the NPSL as a center back due to injuries, but I am a natural right back,” Boudadi said. “Looking back at it, it helped me to improve different aspects of my game and I became a more versatile player. During my short time in Reno, I have been used as a center back too. So, it is definitely a strength as a player that I have now knowing that I can play several positions.”

As for Diaz, he learned that the two biggest things to be successful is to set goals and be the best student you can be.

“Learn from coach and teammates,” Diaz said. “Take it all in and put it to practice on a daily basis.”

Both players created a handful of memories with the Heat. They formed lifelong friendships and connections within the soccer community. With that along with a multitude of other reasons, they would recommend any player interested in NPSL competition to try out.

“If they are looking to network with other coaches and players, and if they want to prepare for the upcoming college season,” Boudadi said. “It was a steppingstone for me to perform during my time at Creighton. Maybe players who are looking to stay competitive and get minutes, stay sharp over the summer. For me it was a good decision because the assistant coach and now head coach John Powell put me in contact with Eric Bucchere from Path2Pro, who represents me as my agent now. So, there are various reasons why I’d recommend joining a NPSL team.”

Boudadi and Diaz can’t thank the Heat enough for what the organization did for them as players. The franchise helped both achieve their pro dreams. And with that, both look back on their season in Laredo with a smile on their face.

“It was fun and also a turning point in my soccer career,” Diaz said.

gkroeger@lmtonline.com

Twitter: @gkroegs