Sarasota, Fl. — Sarasota Paradise is proud to announce the signing of midfielder Andres Rodriguez, a composed and dynamic central midfielder who joins the club ahead of its inaugural professional season. Rodriguez brings a strong collegiate pedigree and a playmaking presence that will be instrumental as the club continues to build its first professional roster.
Rodriguez arrives in Sarasota following a standout four-year career at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where he was a fixture in the Rams’ midfield from day one. A consistent starter throughout his collegiate career, Rodriguez showcased durability and leadership in the heart of the field.
During his time at VCU, Rodriguez helped lead the program to a regular season championship and a conference tournament final in his sophomore year. His performances earned him eligibility for the MLS SuperDraft three consecutive years, reflecting the high level at which he consistently competed.
A midfielder who thrives on controlling the tempo of the game, Rodriguez is known for his ability to link the back line to the attack and dictate play through progressive passing. Comfortable operating in tight spaces, he looks to break lines with both short and long passes, while defensively remaining disciplined, reading the game well, and regaining possession for his team.
Joining Sarasota Paradise represents an exciting next step as Rodriguez transitions into the professional game and embraces a new environment after college.
“Being part of Sarasota Paradise’s first professional roster is an incredible honor and privilege. It means being part of something historic from the very start, and I’m excited to help build a winning culture from the ground up,” Rodriguez said. “I look forward to shaping the team’s culture, representing Sarasota on and off the field, and contributing to something truly special. I’m also excited to meet my teammates and begin this journey together.”
Head Coach and Technical Director Mika Elovaara expressed his excitement about Rodriguez.
“Andres comes from one of the nation’s hotbeds for player development, the Washington DC area, and I’ve watched him lead his team and excel at VCU for four years. Identifying talented young players from college programs with a track record of developing players to the pro level is a key part of our recruitment philosophy, and I am pleased to add Andres to our inaugural pro roster. He is a humble and hard working warrior with impressive maturity in and out of possession, and I think he has a lot of potential to be a long term professional player.”
Catch Rodriguez and the Paradise squad in action this season — contact our ticketing team at 941-207-5873 to secure your tickets!
