Tropics nine game win streak ends in OT as Milwaukee nips Florida, 6-5

MILWAUKEE – The Florida Tropics nine-game win streak came to an end in overtime Sunday night as the Milwaukee Wave took a 6-5 decision in a Major Arena Soccer League game in Milwaukee.

Angel Curriel scored on a break away at the 4:01 mark of the extra period. 

The two teams played an overtime thriller Dec. 7 in Milwaukee, won 5-4 by the Tropics on a goal by Guilherme less than three minutes into the extra session. Milwaukee, the defending MASL champions, hung a 6-5 loss on the Tropics on Dec. 28 in Lakeland. 

Neither team had more than a one-goal lead in the back and forth affair which dropped Florida to 14-2. Milwaukee improved to 10-4.

The Tropics took a 3-2 lead to intermission, rallying from a 2-1 second quarter deficit. Victor Parreiras recorded his 100th career point with the Tropics to tie the game at one before Guilherme – following a stellar defensive play and counter by Lucas Teixeira – tied it at 2-all before Teixeira got one of his own with just 55 seconds to play in the second quarter, and just 50 seconds after Guilherme's equalizer.

Parreiras and Gordy Gurson added second-half goals. Milwaukee tied the game with just under six minutes to play on a goal from Alex Bradley. Florida had several good chances in the fourth quarter, but could not score despite outshooting Milwaukee 31-23.

The Tropics will be back at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland on Saturday, Feb. 22 when they host the Sonora Soles in a 5:05 p.m. start. Tickets are available by calling 863-240-0101, or by visiting www.fltropics.com. The game will be broadcast live on WTTA-TV Great 38 in Tampa, and online at masl.tv.