Single game tickets go on sale Monday for Tropics inaugural PDL campaign

LAKELAND, Fla. – With Saturday soon to be “Soccer Night in Lakeland” the newest member of the USL's Premier Development League, the Lakeland Tropics, will put single game tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Monday for all seven home matches.

The schedule is highlighted with a visit in the home opener by The Villages SC on May 20, the defending PDL southeastern division champions, and one of 21 PDL teams to be invited to play in the prestigious Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2017.

Also making Saturday night stops will be another highly anticipated expansion team, the Tampa Bay Rowdies Under 23 side, playing in Lakeland June 3, along with the Palm Beach Sun (May 27) and FC Miami City (June 24), who finished third in the division last season.

The first six home games at historic Bryant Stadium will all be played at 7:35 p.m. Saturdays, also include visits by Weston FC (June 10), and SIMA (July 1). The final home game will be Sunday, July 9 against IMG Academy in a 7:35 start as well.

General admission seating for all games is $10, with $5 supporter section tickets behind the goal also going on sale Monday. A special VIP game ticket – which includes food and beverages – is available for $35 per match. Group tickets for each game are also available for just $5. Call the Tropics office at 240-0101 for tickets or more information. Tickets are also available at the team's website www.lakelandtropics.com.

The proven developmental leader in North American soccer's evolving tiered structure, the Premier Development League features 72 franchises in four conferences throughout the United States and Canada, including 16 clubs that are owned and operated by a professional club, or that hold a partnership with a professional club. The PDL has proven to be an important stepping-stone for top professionals now playing throughout the world, with nearly 70 percent of all MLS selections since 2010 having PDL experience.

The PDL season consists of 14 regular season matches for each team, seven home and seven away, and provides elite collegiate players the opportunity to taste a higher level of competition while maintaining their eligibility. In addition to league play, PDL teams compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as various exhibitions.