Game preview: Lakeland looks for third straight PDL win as Palm Beach Suns invade Bryant Stadium

LAKELAND – If its Saturday, that means it's another “Soccer Night in Lakeland” when the Lakeland Tropics host the Palm Beach Suns in a Premier Development League game at Bryant Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:35 p.m.

The Tropics will be looking for their third win in a row, and second win at home, and will also be paying tribut to active and retired military personnel who can get free tickets to the game by calling the team's office at 863-240-0101, or by presenting identification at the stadium Saturday.

The team's current win streak started last Saturday at Bryant Stadium when a crowd of over 6,000 saw the Tropics win a thrilling 4-3 decision from the defending southeast division champion The Villages SC. Lakeland went on the road this past Wednesday and returned home with a 2-1 win over Weston FC.

Ricardo Diegues netted both goals in the road win, and is tied for fifth in goals scored in the PDL, with three in three games. The win lifted the Tropics, 2-1, into second place in the division behind co-leaders SIMA Aguilas (3-0) and FC Miami City (3-1).

Palm Beach comes in with a mark of 0-1, falling 2-0 to SIMA on the road. The Suns gave up a goal in the first minute of each half, but otherwise played the Aguilas, one of the pre-season favorites in the division, very tough. The Suns received six yellow cards in the loss, and were outshot 10-3.

Victor Rojas is second on the Tropics in scoring, getting a brace (two goals) in last Saturday's big home win. His game winner came in the 59th minute with a beautifully struck ball to the far top corner of the goal.

Jonathan Valerio is expected to get his fourth straight start in goal. He has a save percentage of .704 in picking up two wins.

Saturday's game will be webcast live at www.lakelandtropics.com/livestream. Tickets for Saturday's game, and all five remaining home regular season games, can be purchased at the team's website, or by calling 863-240-0101. The Tropics will be off until next Saturday, June 3, when they host what is sure to become a natural rival, the Tampa Bay Rowdies U23 side. Kickoff is once again set for 7:35 p.m, followed by a fourth straight Saturday “Soccer Night in Lakeland” June 10 when Weston FC visits.