Tropics hope to repeat success of last home start as KC Comets visit Lakeland Saturday

LAKELAND, Fla. – The Florida Tropics are hoping to cast a little shade on the Kansas City Comets playoff plans when they host KC at the RP Funding Center Saturday night in Lakeland. Kickoff is 7:05 p.m.

The Comets could already have clinched a playoff berth by the time they arrive, gaining the second spot in the South Central Division if they can defeat the Orlando SeaWolves Friday in Orlando. It is the second time in three weekends that Kansas City has made a Sunshine State swing, beating the SeaWolves March 16 but falling to the Tropics March 17, 12-8. However, a pair of losses this weekend could potentially keep the Comets from clinching. 

Florida's leading goal scorer, Ricardo Diegues, had a team-record five goals in that win, giving him 22 in just 16 games this season. The Tropics leading point-getter continues to be Victor Parreiras with 15 goals and 13 assists for 28 points.

Kansas City continues to have Leo Gibson set the offensive pace. Gibson is second in the league in points with 60, three back of Tacoma's Nick Perera, third in goals with 32 and second in assists with 28.

This will be the first of back-to-back home games for the Tropics, their final pair of starts at the RP Funding for the 2018-19 season. The three-time defending MASL champion Baltimore Blast will visit for Fan Appreciation Night April 6 before the team concludes its third season of professional arena soccer in Orlando on April 13. For more information, visit www.fltropics.com. Saturday's game will be broadcast live on KMCI Channel 38 in Kansas City, as well as live at www.masl.tv.