On May 9th, Mississippi Brilla FC and the 2007 Premier Development League Champs, Laredo Heat, started off the 2008 regular season the same way they left it in 2007: Deadlocked. After drawing 3-3 in last year’s regular season finale, the two teams met for their 2008 opener at M&F Bank Stadium in Ridgeland, MS with a certain amount of familiarity. The result would also be familiar, as each team earned a point after a scoreless draw.

Laredo controlled the early part of the first half, however, they weren’t able to muster anything dangerous until they were awarded a free kick 25 yards from the Brilla goal. Catching the Brilla defense off-guard, they played the kick quickly and found a player all alone against Brilla goalkeeper, Scott Rosman. The Laredo shot beat Rosman and was headed into the Brilla goal when defender Jacob Lawrence saved the certain goal off of the line with an incredible lunge. In a game that would ultimately end with no score, this play, along with a solid overall game, would earn Lawrence Man-of-the-Match honors.

Despite the lack of scoring, the crowd of 1,127 was not treated to a boring match. Each team had their chances, but due to the combination of poor finishing and solid defensive play, neither team could put together enough to find the back of the net.

Brilla would find the last few minutes of the match suspenseful after they found themselves shorthanded. In the 89th minute, Brilla FC mid-fielder Ousmane Coulibaly was sent off by referee Doug Damico after Assistant Referee Christian Jabang judged Coulibaly had unnecessarily made contact with Laredo goalkeeper Ryan Cooper. Mississippi bunkered in defensively and weathered the Laredo storm until the final whistle.

Laredo heads down to Baton Rouge for a Sunday, May 11 match against the Capitals while Brilla FC stays at home to host the Capitals, next Saturday, May 17 at Longabaugh Field in Clinton. Next Saturday’s match will kick-off at 5:00 PM. The first 500 kids in attendance will receive Autograph Books courtesy of Clinton Soccer Association and Clinton Futbol Club. They will also receive free Mississippi Brilla FC pom-poms provided by the Cheer Academy. For more information about Mississippi Brilla FC or to purchase tickets, continue to visit www.MSBrillaFC.org.