The Sarasota Paradise to Host United Soccer League Two Playoffs

The Sarasota Paradise soccer team has won the USL League Two South Florida Division championship for the second consecutive season. They are now preparing to host playoff matches at their home arena, Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch. Their own Conference Quarterfinal match is against Sporting JAX on Friday night; a victory in this game would mark the organization's first-ever postseason win.

The USL League Two playoffs involve 32 out of 144 teams from four conferences. Teams compete in a single-elimination format, with the Southern and Eastern conference winners eventually facing the winner of the Western/Central semi-final for the Championship on August 2nd. Premier Sports Campus will host two Southern Conference Quarterfinals on Friday: Laredo Heat SC vs. Fort Lauderdale United at 4:00 PM, followed by the Paradise vs. Sporting JAX at 7:30 PM. The winners of these matches will play each other on July 21st.

Head Coach Mirko Dakovic expressed pride in the team's resiliency, roster depth, and commitment to winning throughout the season, emphasizing that such achievements are not guaranteed despite the back-to-back division titles. Despite losing in the first playoff round in 2024, the team is confident about advancing this year.

The Paradise features top collegiate and amateur players. Sarasota native Andres Freire (Stetson University) leads the team with 10 goals this season. Defender Felipe Rojas, a Sarasota native and original team member, strengthens the defense. Rojas stated the team feels stronger and more confident than last season and aims to demonstrate their quality nationally.