Defender Rafael Alves Signs New Three-Year Deal with Florida Tropics

July 24, 2020 - LAKELAND, Fla. - Defender Rafael Alves has signed a three-year contract to stay with the Major Arena Soccer League Eastern Conference champion Florida Tropics, pending visa approval. Per league and team policies, no further details of the deal were disclosed. Alves started his Tropics' career in the team's inaugural 2016-17 season, but because of injuries, appeared in just nine games in his first two years. Over the past two campaigns, Alves has made 31 appearances,. "Rafa got off to a slo... Full Story

Former Wave Defender Chad Vandegriffe Signs Two-Year Deal with Tropics

July 23, 2020 - LAKELAND, Fla. - For the second straight off-season, the Florida Tropics have signed a veteran defender from the Milwaukee Wave, this time adding Chad Vandegriffe to the team's backline on a two-year free agent deal. Per league and team policies, no further details of the deal were disclosed. Vandegriffe has played the last four years with the Wave, averaging almost a shot block a game (63 total), and adding 16 goals in 75 career games. He has had game-winning goals in each of the last two ye... Full Story

Congratulations to the Polk County Public Schools Class of 2020

July 7, 2020 - In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, graduating seniors across the country were missing out on one of the most important celebrations in their lives. Graduation ceremonies across the country were becoming drive-by's, going virtual or being cancelled all together. The Polk County Public School Board came to the City of Lakeland, the Detroit Tigers and the Lakeland Flying Tigers organization to try and give their seniors a normal graduation in an abnormal world. The City of Lakeland, the De... Full Story

It's Official, Tropics Named 2019-20 MASL Eastern Conference Champions

July 1, 2020 - The Major Arena Soccer League's (MASL) Board of Directors voted on Tuesday to officially conclude the 2019-2020 season and recognize the Monterrey Flash and Florida Tropics respectively as Western and Eastern Conference Regular Season Champions. The 2019-2020 season was cut short on March 12, 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis. Prior to that, the Flash and Tropics had dominated their schedules and raced to the top of their conference tables. This is the third straight season the Monterrey Fla... Full Story

• It's Official, Tropics Named 2019-20 MASL Eastern Conference Champions - Florida Tropics SC (MASL) July 1
• Johnson, Magette and Law Named to All-NBA G League Teams - Lakeland Magic (G League) June 26
• NBA G League Cancels Remainder of 2019-20 Season - Lakeland Magic (G League) June 4
• 10 Reasons Why Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium Is the Best of the Ballparks - Lakeland Flying Tigers (FSL) April 22
• Drew Ruggles Voted as Defender-of-the-Year in Major Arena Soccer League - Florida Tropics SC (MASL) April 17
• Clay Roberts Named Major Arena Soccer League Coach-Of-The-Year - Florida Tropics SC (MASL) April 15
• Ruggles Named First Team All Major Arena Soccer League Defender - Florida Tropics SC (MASL) April 13
• Parreiras, Silva Honored as All Major Arena Soccer League Second Team All Stars - Florida Tropics SC (MASL) April 10
• Carvalho Named Major Arena Soccer League Third Team All-Star for 2019-20 - Florida Tropics SC (MASL) April 9
• Tropics Rocket Man Guilherme Dos Santos Signed for 3 More Years - Florida Tropics SC (MASL) March 27
• Drew Ruggles: Student of the Game - Florida Tropics SC (MASL) March 26
• Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium Named Best Ballpark in Grapefruit League for Second Year in a Row - Lakeland Flying Tigers (FSL) March 25
• DeVos Family Pledges up to $2 Million for Magic and Amway Center Hourly Workers - Lakeland Magic (G League) March 16
• Lakeland Magic Statement on NBA Suspending Operations - Lakeland Magic (G League) March 12
• Tropics Add Reserve Team for Outdoor UPSL D2 and Future Indoor Friendlies - Florida Tropics SC (MASL) March 11
• All Today's News

Florida Tropics defender Drew Ruggles

Lakeland Photo Gallery
OurSports Central provides coverage of the following alternative and minor league teams in Lakeland, Florida:

• Florida Tropics SC (MASL)
• Lakeland Flying Tigers (FSL)
• Lakeland Magic (G League)
• Tigers East (GCL)
• Tigers West (GCL)

Other cities near Lakeland, Florida with alternative or minor league teams:

• Clearwater, Florida
• Dunedin, Florida
• Kissimmee, Florida
• Orlando, Florida
• Tampa, Florida
• Bradenton, Florida

All times Eastern On game days, refresh page for latest results

• Tropics sign pair of veteran defenders - MASL Lakeland Ledger (July 26)
• Tropics have eye on free agents - MASL Lakeland Ledger (July 6)
• Major issues face minor leagues - FSL Lakeland Ledger (July 4)
• Donta Hall, Josh Magette earn NBA G League honors - G League AL.com (June 27)
• Ruggles named MASL Defender of the Year - MASL Lakeland Ledger (April 20)
• Coronavirus in Polk: Brutcher bashes, awaits MLB Draft at home - FSL Lakeland Ledger (April 17)
• Tropics' Roberts named MASL Coach of the Year - MASL Lakeland Ledger (April 16)
• Coronavirus: IFL postpones season indefinitely for Sioux Falls Storm, other teams - G League Sioux Falls Argus Leader (March 13)
• Coronavirus: College, pro events canceled across the state, nation - G League Sioux Falls Argus Leader (March 13)
• Erie BayHawks' strong start not enough in loss to Lakeland Magic - G League Erie Times-News (March 11)
• Lakeland Magic win sixth straight game - G League Lakeland Ledger (March 11)
• Sports digest: Mizzou adds lineman commitment - MASL St. Louis Post-Dispatch (March 9)
• All Today's Headlines