Trops look for 4th win -- and maybe a little revenge -- at home vs. St. Petersburg Aztecs tonight

AUBURNDALE, Fla. – The Florida Tropics will be looking for their fourth win in the United Premier Soccer League tonight when they host the St. Petersburg Aztecs. And maybe a little revenge as well.

The Aztecs knocked Florida out of the UPSL Fall 2020 playoffs by a 2-0 count, the St. Petersburg team’s second straight win over the Tropics by that same score. The Aztecs history as a soccer club dates back to 1987, and they traditionally field one of the stronger teams in the Florida portion of the UPSL’s Premier Division.

Florida comes in at 3-1, holding down first place on a goal differential tie-breaker over Florida Premier FC. The Tropics have a goal differential of plus 11 so far this season while Florida Premier is at plus 7. 

St. Petersburg is the only team in the UPSL’s Southeastern Conference Florida West Division without a loss so far this year, with a record of 2-0. They have consecutive 1-0 wins over Naples and Winter Haven. The Tropics defeated Naples on the road last weekend, 3-0, and posted a 4-0 win over Winter Haven earlier in the spring.

The Tropics boast the UPSL’s leading goal scorer in William Eyang, a native of Cameroon, who has 10 goals already this year. He has scored seven of the team’s last eight goals.

However, the Tropics will be getting some reinforcements from its parent club from the Major Arena Soccer League.  Drew Ruggles, the 2019-20 MASL defender of the year, and a second defender, Lucas Montelares, are expected to dress this evening. Victor Parreiras, who was the UPSL MVP when the Tropics won the 2019 Spring national championship, had surgery at the end of the MASL season, but hopes to join the line up later this spring.

The game will be streamed live at mycujoo.tv. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale. Admission is free, parking is $10 for singleoccupant vehicles and $20 for multi-occupant vehicles.

 After the visit by the Aztecs, the Tropics will be on the road April 24 against the PSE Conquistadores and May 2 against Tampa FC before returning to Auburndale May 8 with hopes of avenging any early season loss for Florida Premier FC.

For the most up to date team information – including off-season Major Arena Soccer League news – visit www.fltropics regularly, or visit the team’s social media sites as well for the latest game and player updates. For up to date information on the UPSL, visit upsl.com.