Match preview: Tropics eyeing fifth straight win tonight in hosting Weston FC

LAKELAND – The Lakeland Tropics hope to finish off their drive for five Saturday at Bryant Stadium when they host Weston FC in a Premier Development League game which will be a rematch of a game May 24 in Weston.

The Tropics won that game, 2-1, behind the strength of two first-half goal from leading scorer Ricardo Diegues, who has five goals for Lakeland in five matches so far. It was the second win – and first road win in franchise history – of what is now a four-game winning streak after a thrilling 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies U23 side last Saturday at Bryant Stadium. A penalty kick goal in stoppage time by Diegues was the game winner in that win.

Lakkeland is currently tied for second in the PDL southeast division with a record of 4-1, good for 12 points. FC Miami City is also 4-1, with 12 points. The SIMA Aguilas are atop the table with a 5-0-1 mark. After Saturday, Lakeland goes on the road for three straight, starting with a rematch at Tampa Bay next Wednesday, followed by a June 17 date at The Villages SC and June 21 at the South Florida Surf.

Kickoff is at 7:35 p.m., and the first 300 fans will get free Tropics water bottles courtesy of Hummel, the team's official uniform supplier. Tickets are buy-one-get-one for Saturday's game, and free tickets are available to all active and retired military personnel courtesy of Bond Clinic.

Weston comes in 0-5-1, having given up 22 goals this summer, including six in a shutout loss to The Villages SC last weekend. Lakeland defeated The Villages SC, 4-3, for it's first ever franchise win before a crowd of more than 6,000 fans at Bryant Stadium May 20. Luis Betancur is the side's leading goal getter this season with two.

The Tropics have outshot their opponents so far, 67-60, and have a goal differential of just +1 despite their win streak, thanks in large part to a 4-0 season opening loss at FC Miami City. Goalkeeper Jonathan Valerio is expected to start his sixth straight, and has a save percentage of .786. His 33 saves is second-best in the 72-team PDL.

Both Juan Tejada and Victor Rojas come in with two goals each for the Tropics, while Tejada has also added an assist.

Saturday's game will be webcast live, with a link to the action at the team's homepage at www.lakelandtropics.com. For more information and tickets, call the team's offices at 240-0101, or visit the website.