Tropics stay perfect in home openers with 9-4 win over St. Louis Ambush

by Brian Ackley

LAKELAND, Fla – Victor Parreiras had two goals, and the Florida Tropics got single scores from seven other players as they rolled to a 9-4 win over the St. Louis Ambush Saturday night in Major Arena Soccer League Action.

It was the third straight home opening win for the Tropics and and third straight season opening win as well. It also tied a team record for largest margin of victory – five goals – which the Tropics have done twice in their three-year history, including a 9-4 win over St. Louis two years ago.

The Tropics built a 6-0 lead midway through the third quarter, much to the delight of 2,673 towel waving fans, when St. Louis went to a sixth attacker and sliced the advantage to 6-3 less than five minutes into the fourth quarter.

In addition to the Parreiras goals, the Tropics got singletons from Jowayne Laidley, Lucas Coutinho, Guilherme Dos Santos, Max Touloute, JP Reyes and a spectacular bicycle kick goal by former Ambush player Anthony Arico.

The win also marked the Tropics debut for Hugo Silva, who faced 29 St. Louis shots, and did not allow an even-strength goal.

St. Louis, who opened their season with a 5-4 shootout win over Orlando Friday night, got two goals from Jerjer Gibson and one from Justin Stinson.

Florida, 1-0, will be at Mississagua next Saturday in a 3:05 start, and at Utica City FC Sunday for a 2:05 p.m. kickoff. All Tropics games home and away are broadcast live at www.masl.tv.com.