Tropics force "knockout" game, but fall to Blast 3-2 to end 2022-23 season

TOWSON, Maryland -- The Florida Tropics forced a third and final game in their Major Arena Soccer League Eastern Conference semi-finals, but fell to the Baltimore Blast 3-2 in the 15-minute "knockout" game to end their 2022-23 season.

Florida, which fell at home Friday night 5-4, took Saturday's game two by a 14-1 score as the Blast elected to rest some of their regulars to keep them fresh for the knockout game. 

Thiago Freitas had five goals to lead the Florida offense in Game Two. 

"We fought, and when you have a knockout game, anything can happen," Florida Coach Clay Roberts said. "We were confident going into Baltimore, having had a lot of success there, but we just didn't get the result we wanted in the end."

Baltimore will move on to face either Milwaukee, Kansas City or Utica in the MASL East Conference finals.