Tropics Release 2018 PDL Schedule, Season Tickets on Sale February 2nd

LAKELAND, Fla. – Soccer Saturday's are back at Bryant Stadium as the Lakeland Tropics, in their second year playing in the USL’s Premier Development League, release their schedule for the 2018 season. Six home games will once again be played on Saturday nights, continuing a tradition set in the inaugural season, the other will be played on a Sunday holiday weekend. Games will kick off at 7:05.

After opening their inaugural season in front of 6,000 fans at Bryant Stadium, the Tropics will open their second season against a familiar division opponent, the Next Palm Beach Academy Suns, on Saturday May 12. The Tropics will then travel to play bitter division rival FC Miami City the following weekend, the first of two matchups between the two clubs during the 2018 PDL Season.

The 2018 schedule is also highlighted by home and away games against North County United (formerly the South Florida Surf), rivals The Villages FC, and SIMA Aguilas.

 The Tropics’ full 2018 PDL Schedule:

>  Saturday, May 12, vs. Next Academy Palm Beach  7:05 p.m.

> Saturday, May 19, @ FC Miami City, 6:00 p.m.

> Sunday, May 27, vs. North County United, 7:05 p.m.

> Wednesday, May 30, @ Weston FC, 7:00 p.m.

> Saturday, June 2, vs. IMG Academy, 7:05 p.m.

> Friday, June 8, @ SIMA Aguilas, 7:00 p.m.

> Tuesday, June 12, @ North County United, 5:00 p.m.

> Saturday, June 16, vs. The Villages FC, 7:05 p.m.

> Saturday, June 23, vs. FC Miami City, 7:05 p.m.

> Saturday, June 30, vs. SIMA Aguilas, 7:05 p.m.                                    

> Wednesday, July 4, @ Next Academy Palm Beach, 6:00 p.m.

> Saturday, July 7, @ The Villages FC, 6:00 p.m.

> Tuesday, July 10, @ IMG Academy, 5:00 p.m.

> Saturday, July 14, vs. Weston FC, 7:05 p.m.

Season tickets for all seven home games are on sale February 2nd starting at just $55 for West Sideline Seats, and can be purchased by calling the Tropics office at 863-240-0101.

Lakeland will be part of the eight-team southeastern division this season. All eight-teams are Florida based, and in addition to the Tropics include The Villages SC, Next Academy Palm Beach, Weston FC, SIMA Aguilas, FC Miami City, IMG Academy and North County United. The Tropics finished third in the Southeast Division in their inaugural season, after finishing with nine wins, three losses, and two ties. After finishing thirteenth overall across the league, the Tropics hope to receive an invite to play in the 2018 U.S. Open Cup. 

About PDL: The PDL is starting its 24th season, and features 74-teams in 11 divisions from coast to coast. The PDL features 14 teams affiliated with USL or Major League Soccer clubs. The PDL has proven to be an important stepping-stone for top professionals now playing throughout the world, with roughly 70 percent of all MLS selections since 2010 having PDL experience. The PDL 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.