Sarasota Paradise Academy Signees Michael McGurk, Joshua Spengler, Eeli Elovaara, Tristan Frederickson and Lucas Fredericks. Provided photo.

The Sarasota Paradise is furthering its investment into the local soccer community. Earlier this month, the Paradise announced that the club had signed five players to United Soccer League (USL) Academy contracts. The Sarasota Paradise, which is currently competing in its first USL League One professional season, created their academy as a development pathway for promising youth soccer players. In signing USL Academy contracts, the five players—Lucas Fredericks, Eeli Elovaara, Tristan Frederickson, Joshua “Aran” Spengler and Michael McGurk—have given themselves a bevy of future playing opportunities.

“First and foremost, signing academy contracts allows these players to keep their amateur status to where they can compete within the NCAA, NAIA or any sort of college rank,” says Mark Ward, Sarasota Paradise U20 head coach and first team assistant coach. “These contracts also make the players part of the professional team—they train with the professional team every day and participate in team lifts and gym sessions—and have the opportunity to play in professional matches.”

These five players have competed throughout the year for the Paradise U20 team in the United Premier Soccer League as well as in the USL Academy League. The organization has two development pathways—the Paradise Youth Academy, which develops players from nine to 19-years-old—and then the USL Academy, which also functions as a reserve team for professional club. All five Academy signees had the chance to debut for the Paradise USL League One team on July 29, in a mid-season friendly against Portland Hearts of Pine.

“Another huge piece of the developmental pathway is actually playing in USL League One games,” says Ward. “These contracts also allow us to create a very cool narrative for young people around the Sarasota area. We’re incredibly invested in helping not just young players in general, but in raising the standard of soccer in the area and we’re willing to help any club that wants to be a part of it.”

Sarasota Paradise Academy Signees Michael McGurk, Joshua Spengler, Eeli Elovaara, Tristan Frederickson and Lucas Fredericks. Provided photo.

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