Match preview: Tropics hit the road for second meeting with Palm Beach Suns

The Lakeland Tropics will hit the road today, looking to continue their drive for a post-season spot in the Premier Development League when they meet the Palm Beach Suns.

Lakeland is coming off its biggest win of the season, a 3-2 win over the previously unbeaten SIMA Aguilas at Bryant Stadium Saturday night. FC Miami City leads the table with a 9-1-0 mark (27 points) while SIMA is in second (8-1-1, 25 points) and the Tropics third (7-2-1, 22 points.) Only the top two teams in the division make the playoffs. SIMA will host Lakeland July 11 in the Tropics' final regular season game, unless a rained out match at Tampa Bay Rowdies U23 is needed to be played to determine the playoff situation.

The Tropics and Suns tangled back on May 27 at Bryant Stadium, with Lakeland posting a 2-0 win. Second half goals by Juan Tejada and Ricardo Diegues lifted the Tropics to a win, the team's third straight in what turned out to be a six-game undefeated streak.

Palm Beach comes in a 2-7-1, but is clearly a dangerous side as a 4-2 home win against Tampa Bay last last Saturday shows. Rielee Mohsin had two goals and an assist to lead Palm Beach, his first points of the season.

Ricardo Diegues continues to pace the Tropics with 10 goals. He has scored in all but two games this season for Lakeland, who will be without Victor Rojas, who is off to Portugal to play professionally there, and starting goaltender Jonathan Valerio, who will sit out after getting a red card in the win against SIMA. Backup Jorge Navarette was solid when he was forced into action midway through the first half, allowing just one goal and being credited with seven saves.

Lakeland will be back at Bryant Stadium Sunday, July 9, for a 5:35 start against IMG Academy. It is the final regular season home game of the 2017 season. Tickets are available at www.lakelandtropics.com, or by calling 863-240-0101. Sunday's game will be webcast live atf www. i1tv.net.