Heartbreak: KC nets game winner with 2.5 seconds to play as Tropics fall, 5-4

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – Florida showed much better in Kansas City, but remained winless on the road as the Comets took a 5-4 decision over the Tropics in a Major Arena Soccer League game Saturday afternoon, with KC scoring the game winner with 2.5 seconds to play.

The league's leading scorer, Leo Gibson, converted a shootout opportunity after he was taken down by Florida defender Rafael Alves in the waning moments of regulation time. It was the only goal of the entire second half for either side. 

Florida got off to a quick start – after dropping a lackluster 8-3 decision to the St. Louis Ambush Friday – with Antonio Manfut and Anthony Arico staking the visitors to a 2-0 lead less than three minutes into the game.

The teams went to intermission level at four a side as Victor Parreiras and Andre Braithwaite added second quarter goals. 

Florida goalkeeper Hugo Silva was brilliant, keeping the Tropics in the game as Kansas City held a wide edge in shots of 32-23. The Tropics fell to 4-9, while Kansas City improved to 7-5.

Florida will be on the road next weekend for a Saturday night engagement with the Milwaukee Wave before returning on Feb. 16 to the RP Funding Center in Lakeland for a matchup with the Orlando Seawolves.