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Outdoor soccer: Lakeland United earns conference championship, advances in UPSL playoffs

Robert Magobet, The Ledger
·3 min read
Lakeland United's Josh Ramos dribbles the ball during a UPSL playoff contest versus the St. Petersburg Aztecs on Saturday, July 2, in St. Petersburg. The United won the game 4-3 and advanced to the Round of 16.
Lakeland United's Josh Ramos dribbles the ball during a UPSL playoff contest versus the St. Petersburg Aztecs on Saturday, July 2, in St. Petersburg. The United won the game 4-3 and advanced to the Round of 16.

It’s been a magical ride for Lakeland United but it took overtime to keep it going for the area's semi-professional soccer team.

Penalty kicks in overtime by Victor Cavalcante, Eduardo Melo, Caio Tashceto and Joao Zalfa lifted United past the St. Petersburg Aztecs and into the Round of 16 in the United Premier Soccer League playoffs.

Another win: Lakeland United advances in UPSL Florida West playoffs

Coach profile: Ex-Southeastern player Salgado finds success with Lakeland United

“Awesome. I will call this the first main objective of the club in terms of winning and conquest ... conquering something,” Lakeland United coach Tauan Salgado said. “I don’t like it when school, college, or even pro clubs do rings for conference championships. They celebrate too much. We’re going for the state now because we have the regional state, and then we go for nationals.”

The Florida West champs have a bye this weekend and take on the winner of the Florida Soccer Soldiers-Greater Orlando Soccer Academy game. That game will be played Saturday, July 16, at a site and time to be determined. If the Soldiers win, the next game will be in Miami, but if Greater Orlando Soccer Academy comes out on top, Lakeland’s next game will be in Orlando.

3 observations from United's win

Dylan Ramos was in goal for Lakeland United vs. the St. Petersburg Aztecs.
Dylan Ramos was in goal for Lakeland United vs. the St. Petersburg Aztecs.

• One of the major themes for Lakeland United all season has been the rotation of goalkeepers. Last week, starting goalie Junior Souza received a red card in the 53rd minute, so former Ridge Community High keeper, Zac Coppin was inserted and helped the team beat Leg-AZ World FC. Against St. Petersburg, starting goalie Dylan Ramos was making some big saves to the point that the Aztecs did not score their first goal until overtime. Still, Salgado thought Ramos made some mistakes. “That’s Dylan," he said. "Sometimes he’s too much of a crazy kid ... energetic, passionate and sometimes (he) makes a couple of silly mistakes. He has to fix that, and it will come with age.”

• Center-forward Gabriel Dias went down with a knee injury 15 minutes into the first half after his knee swelled up during warmups. So Dylan’s brother, Josh Ramos, a center-back and a starter on the U.S. Virgin Islands national team, came in and made an impact. While Josh Ramos did not play in the previous two playoff games, Salgado said he is arguably the best player on the team. In a strategic move to get the Aztecs off guard, Josh Ramos played the forward position and took over the game offensively, constantly putting pressure on St. Petersburg.

Lakeland United's Lucas Miranda focuses on the ball during a playoff contest vs. the St. Petersburg Aztecs.
Lakeland United's Lucas Miranda focuses on the ball during a playoff contest vs. the St. Petersburg Aztecs.

• Center-back Lucas Miranda received an opportunity after captain Alex Scarano returned to Brazil to play soccer. Miranda, an Eastern Oklahoma State College player who was just offered a scholarship to play at Florida Southern, was the rock of the defense.

Moving forward, Salgado said he needs the entire team to be ready.

“Believe in yourself," he said. "Take each game at a time. That is very specific to the way we will run things the next few weeks.”

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Outdoor soccer: Lakeland United advances in UPSL playoffs