Tropics hoping to be active in first-ever MASL free agency period

LAKELAND – For the first time, the Major Arena Soccer League has opened a two-week free agency period, and the Florida Tropics SC is hoping to take advantage to perhaps sign some key players for the 2017-18 season which will kick off in November at the Lakeland Center.

Head Coach Clay Roberts said the team is talking to a number of individuals who he think could help the team improve on its inaugural season mark of 8-12.

“We're currently in conversation with five free agents, and hopeful that at least four will sign with us,” Roberts said. “Its going to be impact guys for sure.”

He also said that the conversations have been made easier by the performance of the team now that the Tropics have a year of arena play in the books, taking its bid for a playoff berth, even as a first-year team, right down the last weekend of the regular season.

“A lot of the conversation among all of them is they really like how we play, our style of play, how I get along with the players, and what the fan support has been here which is appetizing to even places that they're coming from,” he added.

According to the MASL, teams can negotiate with players that have expired or expiring contracts. The “live period” will run through May 15 at 6 p.m. ET. During this time, players with expired contracts or contracts that expire prior to Nov. 1, 2017, will be able to sign with any team. If a player is already under contract or signed a contract extension before May 1 they are not eligible during the live period to sign.

Keep an eye on www.fltropics.com, or the team's facebook page for signing announcements.