Brandon, Kickers FC settle for 1-1 tie in key FSSA showdown

LAKELAND -- Brandon Town FC is no longer perfect in the Florida State Soccer Association Premier Division, but the Kickers FC didn't come out with the win they were hoping for when the two teams squared off Sunday morning.

The two settled for a hard-fought 1-1 tie. Brandon came into the game with a 6-0 record, while the Kickers FC, now part of the Tropics Soccer Club, improved to 3-1-2, good for third place in the league table.

Melvin Boateng converted a penalty kick in the first half, which was generally dominated by the Kickers, and had a second goal waved off after converting on a corner kick. 

Brandon leveled the playing field for the opening 20 minutes of the second half before the Kickers offense came to life once again. A number of chances, however, never found the frame, although both teams hit goal posts in the second half in settling for the tie. 

Brandon is atop the standings with 19 points after seven games while the Florida Mutiny are in second with a 5-3 mark (15 points).

Brandon and the Kickers will rematch in Brandon on Feb. 17. The Kickers are off from league play next weekend for a Challenge Cup game, and will resume league play Nov. 18 when they host South Tampa FC. The Kickers already own a 4-2 win over the Mutiny back on Oct. 7. The two will meet again March 24 in Lakeland.

Several members of the Major Arena Soccer League Florida Tropics suit up for the Kickers, including defenders Lucas Teixeira and Lucas Montelares and forward Victor Parreiras in Sunday's draw. The Tropics will start their third season in the MASL on Saturday, Dec. 1, when they host the St. Louis Ambush at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.