Blast too much to handle in lopsided Tropics loss

When the Major Arena Soccer League schedule makers get ready to put together the 2018-19 slate, the Florida Tropics have one wish, don't schedule them in Baltimore on Dec. 10.

For the second straight year, the two-time defending MASL champion Blast dominated the Tropics, defeating them 10-1 Sunday afternoon at SECU Arena.

Only a goal by newcomer Rafael Schlemper midway through the final frame avoided a Baltimore shutout. On Dec. 10, 2016, the Blast hosted Florida, and scored a 7-0 win behind the efforts of William Vanzela, who got the win again yesterday. Florida actually outshot the Blast, 25-24.

Tony Donatelli and Daniel Peruzzi each scored twice for the Blast, who improved to 5-1,  one and one-half games ahead of the second place Tropics in the eastern division with a 4-3 mark.

The teams will meet for a third time, and complete a home-and-home series, with a 7:35 kickoff Friday on SYKES Field at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. The Tropics gave Baltimore the lone blemish on their 2017-18 record so far with a 5-4 win on Nov. 18 on SYKES Field.

Tickets for Friday's game are available by calling 863-605-4131, or online at www.fltropics.com. Friday's game, as are all Florida games, are broadcast live online at www.masl.tv.