Ambush visit Saturday as Tropics looks to end losing skid

LAKELAND, Fla. – The St. Louis Ambush will make their second of three visits to the RP Funding Center this Saturday night to meet the homestanding Florida Tropics SC in a Major Arena League South Central Division matchup, kicking off at 7:05 p.m.

The two teams tangled on Dec. 1, the season opener for Florida and the second game of the campaign for the Ambush, with the Tropics taking a 9-4 decision. A return engagement Dec.  in St. Louis saw the Ambush score four goals in a four minute span late in the second quarter to take a 5-4 decision.

This will mark the second game in a Tropics uniform for Antonio Manfut, acquired last week in a trade with St. Louis for Jowayne Laidley, and Andre Braitwaite, acquired at the same time from Utica. The two both scored in last week's 10-9 home loss to the Milwaukee Wave.

Expecting to make his Florida debut this Saturday is defender Phibo Arriaga, who has played 26 games in the MASL, including 16 last year with the Cedar Rapids Rampage. Still on the injured list for the Tropics is defender Lucas Teixeira, joined this week now by Lucas Montelares as the team looks for its first win in January after dropping its previous four games.

Guilherme continues to be the Tropics team leader, and among the league leaders, in offensive play. He has 14 goals in nine games, to go along with 5 assists, and has five goals in his last two games. He remains tied for fourth overall in total goals and sixth in total points in the MASL so far.

League newcomer Zach Reget continues to shine for St. Louis, netting 12 goals in 11 games. 

Saturday's game is “Star Wars Night”, with fans getting a chance to meet their favorite movie characters and root on the Tropics. Tickets are available at www.fltropics.com, or by calling 863-204-0101. The game will also be broadcast live at www.masl.tv.