Sarasota Paradise's Anderson Rosa, Sander Roed and Jonathan Bolanos celebrate during the team's victory over Corpus Cristi FC. Provided photo.

Success, for the Sarasota Paradise, has not come easily. At 2-4-1 the Paradise, roughly one fifth of the way through the 34-game United Soccer League One regular season, are ranked ninth in the league. The top eight teams from the league will advance to the playoffs at the end of the regular season. That is not to say, however, that the young team hasn’t found success on the pitch at all—or that there isn’t reason for optimism moving forward.

While the Paradise may have fallen 2-0 to the USL Championship juggernaut Tampa Bay Rowdies in the first match of the USL Cup Group stage, the team did earn a coveted regular season win over Corpus Cristi FC on April 21. The 2-1 victory came on the heels of three straight losses, including two consecutive shutouts.

“We felt like we needed to right the wrongs of the results of the last couple of games,” says Head Coach Mika Elovaara. “Obviously it’s great to win, but I’m more grateful that the work the guys have put in was rewarded. Our guys showed resilience and that they can play under pressure.”

In what has been typical for the club, Paradise created a multitude of scoring chances in the first half, but were unable to capitalize until the 41st minute, when defender Anderson Rosa snuck a shot from inside the box past Corpus Cristi’s goalkeeper to take a 1-0 lead. Midfielder Sander Roed, back from a month’s absence due to injury, tacked on another goal in the 63rd minute to increase the lead to 2-0. “We were able to get the break at the counter and I’m running up the middle,” says Roed. “Suddenly the ball is at my feet and I’m completely open at the 18 yard box. It bounced perfectly and then it was time to pick a corner and let it fly.”

Sarasota Paradise vs Forward Madison FC, March 2, 7:30pm, Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch, 5895 Post Blvd, Lakewood Ranch.

Sarasota Paradise's Anderson Rosa, Sander Roed and Jonathan Bolanos celebrate during the team's victory over Corpus Cristi FC. Provided photo.

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