LAKELAND, Fla – The Tropics SC kicked off the home portion of their 2019 United Premier Soccer League season in strong fashion Friday night at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex with a 5-0 win over Clay County SC.

A crowd of 1,856 had plenty to cheer about in the first half, as Ricardo Diegues got the only goal the home side would need in the fifth minute on an assist from Victor Parreiras, who added his own goal later in the half.

Keisuke Ohata picked up a nice feed on his run in the box from Melvin Boetang for a scored, and Diegues added a second before intermission to give the Tropics SC a 4-0 halftime lead. Diegues has three goals now in the team's first two games, and is also the leading scorer for the Florida Tropics will close their third season in the Major Arena Soccer League tomorrow night in Orlando.

Xavier Silva added the Tropics fifth goal in the second half. Hugo Silva and Jorge Naverette combined for the shutout, the team's second in as many games.

The Tropics SC improved to 2-0 in the UPSL's Pro Premier Southeastern Conference Florida Central Western Division, and will have an early season first-place showdown Wednesday at Lake Myrtle when St. Petersburg FC Aztecs come to town. The Aztecs are currently 2-0-1, tied for first in the division.