Tropics sign veteran netminder Brett Petricek

LAKELAND, Fla. – The Florida Tropics have signed veteran goalkeeper Brett Petricek to a contract for the 2019-20 season. Per team and league policies, terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

His signing became necessary after Hugo Silva, who has backstopped the team to its best start in history, suffered a lower body injury recently and is out indefinitely. In addition, goalkeeper Rainer Hauss, fifth in the league last year in save percentage and who signed as a free agent this summer from the Orlando SeaWolves, is not eligible to play until final visa clearance is obtained.

”Brett is a proven commodity at this level and an excellent insurance policy,” Chief Operating Officer Chris Economides noted.

Petricek has appeared in 40 Major Arena Soccer League games over three seasons with Cedar Rapids and most recently the Kansas City Comets, with a career mark of 22-16 and a save percentage of .680, almost identical to Silva's career save percentage of .684. Silva, Florida's MVP last season, has a career goals against average of 6.28, while Petricek's – who has picked up 10 career assists as well –  stands at 6.31. Plant City High School grad and former Southeastern University standout, Jorge Navarette, will continue as the team's backup. 

The Tropics, who have won three straight on the road and are atop the MASL's Eastern Conference standings at 3-0, will look for a team-record fourth consecutive win Saturday in their home opener at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. Kickoff is at 5:05 p.m. (EST). Tickets are available at fltropics.com, or by calling 863-240-0101. The game will be broadcast live on Tampa's Great 38, WTTA-TV, as well as online at masl.tv.