Match preview: Tropics seek to remain atop Southeastern table in hosting IMG Academy Saturday

LAKELAND, Fla. – Looking to maintain at least a share of first place in the USL Premier Development League's Southeastern Division, the Lakeland Tropics will host IMG Academy Bradenton Saturday night on SYKES Field at historic Bryant Stadium. Kick off is at 7 p.m.

Lakeland is 3-0-1, good for 10 points, the same record as the SIMA Aguilas early in the 2018 season. SIMA and the Tropics will tangle next Friday night, June 9, at Montverde Academy.

The Tropics are coming off a 3-0 road win Wednesday against Weston FC. IMG comes in 1-1, including a 3-0 loss to SIMA and a 3-1 win over Next Academy Palm Beach Wednesday as well, while Lakeland beat 1-0 in its season opener.

IMG and the Tropics tangled only once in 2017, with Lakeland taking a 1-0 decision thanks to a goal from Victor Parreiras, who continues to be sidelined following knee surgery after the conclusion of the Major Arena Soccer League season in March. Parreiras was the MASL Florida Tropics fourth leading goal scorer, and is expected back on the pitch for the remainder of the summer season in the coming weeks.

In his absence, the offense has continued to roll along, with nine goals in its last three games. Captain Ricardo Diegues, the Florida Tropics leading scorer, has a goal in each of Lakeland's first four games. Juan Tejada has also scored in each of the past two games.  

More information about the Tropics can be found at www.tropicssoccer.com. Tickets are available online, or by calling the team office at 863-240-0101. After the showdown next Friday against SIMA, the Tropics will play three straight hugest games at home, all on Saturday nights, starting June 16 with a visit from The Villages SC, followed by a June 23 matchup with FC Miami City and a return engagement against the Aguilas on June 30.

All three of those teams, along with the Tropics, were invited to play in this year's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.