Heat Kickoff Season With Two Games This Weekend

After Season Opener On The Road Friday, Heat Play At Home Saturday Night

After a twenty-one-month layoff due to the pandemic, the Harrisburg Heat of the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) return to the field this weekend. The Heat visit Utica City FC on Friday evening at 7:00 P.M. The Heat return home in a rematch with Utica City FC on Saturday at 7:05 PM. The game on Saturday marks the return of the Heat to the Equine Arena at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex. The games can also be viewed on line at masltv.com.

The Heat are looking to continue the progress they made during the last two seasons. With Head Coach Pat Healey at the helm, the Heat increased their wins by 83% during the 2018/2019 season as they finished with a 11-13 record. The Heat improved their record to 13 wins and 8 losses in the 2019/2020 year when the MASL season was abruptly halted due to the pandemic. That year the Heat were poised to qualify for the playoffs as they prepared for their final three games of the season. The Harrisburg Heat did not play last season due to the pandemic.

While the Heat lost five players to free agency and traded forward Tavoy Morgan to San Diego, they return captain, Danny DiPrima, goalkeeper, William Banahene, defenders Elton de Oliveira and Matt Braem, forwards, Dominic Francis and David Mellor as well as midfielder, Malcolm Harris. The Heat also return defenders, Brad Kerstetter and Stephen Basso from retirement and signed free agent forwards Michael Cunningham and Luis Brambila. The Heat are waiting on visa approvals for four additional players including Daniel Villela.