Guilherme's two goals not enough as Tropics fall to Utica City FC, 8-5

UTICA, N.Y. – Florida gave up two goals in the first three minutes of the game, and never recovered in losing its second road game in as many days, this time to Utica City FC, 8-5.

Utica City FC, now 3-1 on the young season, held a 5-3 lead at intermission, even though the Tropics outshot the hosts by a 17-6 margin for the half.

Florida –  still without their two leading scorers from a year ago in Ricardo Diegues and Freddy Moojen --  got first half goals from Lucas Montelares, Lucas Teixeira on the power play and Guilherme, six seconds before intermission. Guilhermeadded a second goal in the final 30 minutes, as did Jose Luiz Birche.

But the Tropics could not capitalize on that momentum, giving up a power-play marker early in the third as eight different Utica City FC players scored goals.

The Tropics lost 10-0 Saturday in Mississauga as the majority of the regular Florida roster did not make the trip because of strict Canadian Immigration work laws.

Florida will be back in action Friday, Dec. 14, hosting the Harrisburg Heat at the RP Funding Center. Kickoff is 7:35 p.m.