It's here! Lakeland Tropics set for first-ever Lamar Hunt U.S. Open game tonight

Let the dream begin.

The Lakeland Tropics will make their debut in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup this evening in Texas, when they meat the National Premier Soccer League's Midland-Odessa Sockers FC. Kickoff is at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time, and the game will be broadcast live at www.cujoo.com.

The Sockers are making their second Cup appearance. In 2015, after an opening round 3-1 win over the Tulsa Athletics, they fell to the United Soccer League Oklahoma City Energy, 3-1 in round two. The Sockers were playing in the USL Premier Development League that season, the same league in which the Tropics play today. The Sockers made the switch to the NPSL in 2017 as a way to save on travel costs, and went to the league finals before falling.

The winner of tonight's game will advance to the second round of the U.S. Open Cup next Wednesday, May 16, against the USL's San Antonio FC. If the Sockers win, the game will be on their home pitch. If the Tropics win, they will be right back in Texas for a second straight week.

For the Sockers, key players include  Nathan Regis, a forward from Pfeiffer University, where he scored 85 goals in a four-year Career that ended in 2016.Midfielder Xavi Lao had six goals and three assists in 2017 for Christian Brothers University while defender Ross Brown all 25 games for 2017 NAIA National Champions Wayland Baptist.

For the Tropics, key returnees include Ricardo Diegues, who led Lakeland with 10 goals in 14 games in the PDL last year, and who was the leading scorer for the Major Arena Soccer League Florida Tropics, Lakeland's sister franchise, with 28 goals and 16 assists in all 22 of the Tropics indoor games.

Also back is forward Gustavo Rodrigues, and defender Ramzi Toure. A key newcomer is Lucas Coutinho, who signed last summer with the NASL New York Cosmos. Coutinho was the Rookie of the Year with the Florida Tropics this past winter, showing perhaps the best one-v.-one skills on the team in scoring nine goals in 19 games.

The Tropics open their regular PDL season this Saturday night at historic Bryant Stadium in a 7 p.m. Start against the Next Academy Palm Beach Suns. Tickets are available online at www.lakelandtropics.com, or by calling 863-240-0101.