Tropics secure third straight UPSL playoff spot with 2-1 win over Lakeland United

AUBURNDALE, Fla. -- The Florida Tropics will be going back to the post-season for the third consecutive United Premier Soccer League Spring season.

The Tropics secured their playoff spot with a 2-1 win over Lakeland United this weekend at Lake Myrtle Sports Park, giving them seven of a possible nine points in their final three games of the regular season to earn a post-season spot.

Last year, the Tropics rolled all the way to the National Final Four in Los Angeles, and won the national championship in 2019 with a perfect 18-0-0 regular season.

In Auburndale Saturday, Florida got a pair of first half goals -- one from Ricardo Diegues in the early stages of the first half and a second from Lucas Montelares late in the half -- which turned out to be enough for the win.

Two weeks ago, the Tropics took a road win against the United by the same 2-1 score to start their playoff push. Diegues and Montelares are both stars with the Tropics Major Arena Soccer League side which went to the league finals this past May where they fell to the San Diego Sockers.

Information on the first-round Florida West Division matchup will be announced in the next couple of days. Check www.fltropics.com or any of the team's social media platforms for updated information.