UTICA LOOKS TO BOUNCE BACK AGAINST FLORIDA

Utica City FC hosts the Florida Tropics for the first time this season. Utica City FC was topped by the Baltimore Blast in a back and forth match at the SECU Arena. Utica would not surrender their lead until the fourth quarter when a pair of Blast goals would secure the win for Baltimore. 

The Tropics also fell last night in their first contest north of the border at Mississauga. The Tropics roster the night featured seven Canadian players signed for a single game while much of Florida’s regular lineup waited in the States due to immigration work rules. These fresh legs may be a key factor in today’s contest for the Tropics.

Utica will look to bounce back quickly to keep their young season hot. This is the only time Utica will see the South Central Division foe this season.

Utica’s Mauricio Salles had 19 goals for the Tropics last season and earned his first of the season last night against Baltimore. Now that he has settled into Utica and Ryan Hall’s systems look for him to begin tallying regular points. 

Joey Tavernese remains hot for Utica. After a Peter Pan style celebration last weekend he picked up a multi-point night in Baltimore last night. Tavernese has eight points in three games this season.

Utica’s hot start was rewarded when Slavisa Ubiparipovic and Ben Ramin were named to the MASL Team of the Week following their performances in Week One. All of the Utica City FC players rostered at the start of the season have now recorded at least one point with Tavernese leading the pack.

Utica’s next match comes against the Harrisburg Heat back on the blue turf of the Adirondack Bank Center on December 16 at 2pm.