TROPICS INK MASL2 STAND OUT BRENO OLIVEIRA TO 2021-22 CONTRACT

by Pete Richmire

LAKELAND, Fla –  Following a recent player combine in Orlando, the Florida Tropics have signed Breno Oliveria to a Major Arena Soccer League contract for the 2021-22 season.

A star at Grace University, Oliveria suited up last year for the Muskegon Risers of Major Arena Soccer League 2. The Risers played an exhibition schedule, but will be back as full fledged members of the 13-team M2 for the 2021-22 season. Per team and league policy, no further contract information will be released.

Florida Head Coach Clay Roberts said Oliveria has the skills to become a very good indoor player.

“He’s got creativity and passing skills but he’s a goal scorer as well,” Coach Clay Roberts said. “He definitely will be on the field this year. He’s a talent, and I’m excited to see how he gels with this group. He’s well known around the MASL and had several offers this year. He definitely could be a Rookie-of-the-Year type player.”

Originally from Campinas, Brazil, Oliveira spent his first college season year at Trinity Baptist (Fla.) where he helped guide the Eagles to an NCCAA national championship and for his efforts was named an NCCAA First Team All-American and the NCCAA Freshman of the Year before transferring to Grace College (Indiana) for his final three years. In his junior season, he scored a team-high seven goals and tied for the team lead in assists with four. In his senior year, he tallied three goals and had a program-best nine assists.

During his time as a Lancer, Oliveira claimed an All-Conference designation, helped lead his team to a conference championship as a junior and took Grace to the semis of the NCCAA National Tournament in his final campaign to earn a second NCCAA All-American badge. His senior season also saw the Lancers log the most wins in program history.

Oliveira is a current member of Fort Wayne FC (USL2) and Lansing City Futsal (NFPL). He has also played professionally with Pulo do Gato Futsal, Liga Paulista de Futsal and Indy Futsal (NFPL). His resume also includes two years as a travel futsal coach.

Oliveira graduated from Grace in 2019 with a degree in International Business. He currently serves as the Technical Director at The Plex in Fort Wayne. He is one of several M2 players who have signed MASL contracts this off season, including former Omaha Kings forward Ali Sodal who inked a deal with the Kansas City Comets and former Wichita Wings star Benji Monreal who signed with the Comets as well

The Tropics – presented by Bond Clinic – will open their sixth season in the Major Arena Soccer League on Dec. 4 when they travel to meet the Baltimore Blast. The home opener is set for Saturday, Dec. 18 when they host the Ontario Fury at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, part of a historic nine-game homestand. Kickoff for the sixth home opener in team history is set for 5:05 p.m.

Season tickets for all 12 Florida home games which guarantee the best seats in the house are now on sale by calling 863-240-0101. Each family season ticket account includes a parking pass this season.

In addition, the “Tropics Blitz” will provide free general admission tickets to many of the 200 level seats at the RP Funding Center for the entire 2021-22 season thanks to the team’s sponsor as a thank-you for five years of support, and as a way of providing a great evening of family entertainment for parents and kids who have had their activities curtailed because of the ongoing pandemic. Vehicles with two or more persons will pay $20 to park, and then be able to take their parking receipt to the RP Funding Center box office for the same number of free tickets to that day’s game as occupants in the vehicle. Single occupant vehicles will pay just $10 for parking.

For more information, visit www.fltropics.com.