Outdoor soccer: Lakeland continues magical ride in UPSL playoffs; 3 takeaways of game

It was a dream scenario for Lakeland United head coach Tauan Salgado.

Both his area United Premier Soccer League teams earned rights to play deep in the playoffs. For the Premier division team — the squad that won over the St. Petersburg Aztecs in the United Premier Soccer League Florida West Final a couple weeks ago — the United won over the CFL GOSA Spurs after a 2-2 tie and solidifying the game with penalty kicks in overtime in the UPSL Premier National Round of 16. The Division 1 team also won 3-1 over the Orlando Rovers in the Florida Central Conference Semifinal.

Both teams played Saturday at Winter Park within 12 minutes of each other. The Lakeland Premier team played at Lake Howell High School, while the Division 1 squad competed at Showalter Stadium.

“It was a historical moment because we had two teams, like 12 minutes apart coming together on a beautiful night, celebrating, winning both divisions,” Salgado said. “And both teams were falling apart with injuries. We had 14 guys on one squad — thirteen guys on the other squad. It’s just crazy. I don’t know how we did it. Maybe it’s God…”

Taking full advantage of healthy and present players, the United’s Premier team won in overtime thanks to penalty kicks from midfielders Leonardo Menzen and Eduardo Melo, who took and executed the last goal which sealed the deal.

Starting goalkeeper Junior Souza saved three penalty kicks that helped Lakeland win its fourth straight game in the playoffs.

“Our goalkeeper was outstanding,” Salgado said. “And it wasn’t luck. It was three proper saves. Every day for training, Junior stays for 30 or 40 minutes, training PK penalty kick saves. He’s like, ‘Guys, take some kind of penalty kicks. I need to train.’ He’s like a magician with that because he trains a lot — a lot of hard work. So yesterday right before the penalty kicks, he said, ‘Guys, just be comfortable, be confident. I’m going to get us through. Don’t worry about it. And it’s not because I’m the guy, but it’s because I’ve been training so hard for this moment.’ It was really nice that he said that. It was a big moment for the goalkeeper.”

Still, Polk County’s semiprofessional team got off to a slow start. After being down 1-0, it was Menzen who tied the game at the 40-minute mark in the first half. And the United even went up in regulation following a midfielder Victor Cavalcante score in the 61st minute in the second half.

Below are three takeaways from Lakeland's biggest game of the season.

Souza redeems himself

Souza in regulation gave up two goals. The first goal given up was from a free kick that ended up in the corner of the net. Lakeland’s keeper even put up his hands and said, “Sorry guys. I apologize.” For the second goal, he allowed a goal off a crossing pass. Souza, though, was clutch in overtime and saved three penalty kicks.

“(He) came back strong, and he was the decisive person on the penalty kicks — simple as that,” Salgado said. “He was a monster at the end.”

Cavalcante overcomes injury, makes big impact

Cavalcante hasn’t been able to walk in two weeks, as the defensive midfielder has tendinitis and inflammation in both knees. Having been in pain during the week leading up to Lakeland’s national playoff game, Cavalcante has been attending physical therapy. His father in Brazil didn’t want Cavalcante to play, but doctors said there would be no further damage if he plays. However the pain will still be there. Cavalcante, the top player on the team, decided to play, and amenably limping through the game, he scored a goal and tallied an assist.

Lakeland gets back to philosophy

The last two games, Lakeland hasn’t been able to play its traditional style of being fast and aggressive. Unlike the last game a few weeks ago against the Aztecs, this game vs. the Spurs was up-tempo and methodical.

“I told the guys that we got to go back being Lakeland United FC — our brand, our philosophy, and we did,” Salgado said. “…We built from the back. We were able to construct a play and build a play. … We came back to our philosophy…”

In the Elite Eight out of 253 teams throughout the nation, Lakeland needs to win this next game to punch its ticket to the Final Four, which will be at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio in a couple weeks. With just three more games to win the nationals, the United (4-2-4) will next take on the Beaman United FC (8-1-1) Saturday at Blanchard Woods Park in Evans, Georgia.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Outdoor soccer: Lakeland continues magical ride in UPSL playoffs; 3 takeaways of game