Florida Wins Opener in Orlando

Veteran Matt Clare took a perfect pass off the boards from Joey Tavernese to bang home the game winning goal as the Florida Tropics opened their fourth season in the Major Arena Soccer League season with a 3-2 road win against the Orlando SeaWolves.

Clare also assisted on a first-quarter goal by Rafa Alves that tied the game at 1-1. Ricardo Carvalho, one of 11 free agents signed by the Tropics this past off-season, gave Florida a 2-1 lead in the third when he buried a 30-footer. Carvalho was ninth in the entire MASL last season with 30 goals for the Harrisburg Heat.

Hugo Silva was big in goal for Florida, getting the win, facing 13 shots. The Tropics are now 4-0
lifetime in MASL season openers.

The two teams will be off for the Thanksgiving holiday, but will hook up again on Thursday, Dec. 5 at Silver Spurs arena in a 7:35 start. The Tropics will head to Milwaukee for the defending champion Wave's home opener on Dec. 7 before hosting Orlando for their own home opener at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland on Saturday, Dec. 14. For more information, visit
www.fltropics.com