The signings reinforce the club’s commitment to player development in the greater Suncoast community.
In another milestone moment for the first-year professional club, Sarasota Paradise announced the signing of five teenagers to USL academy contracts. Each of the new academy signings have already made an impact with the Paradise U20 team in UPSL play and the USL Academy league, and have had opportunities to train with the professional team. They all also took the field with the professional team in the mid-season friendly against in-league rivals Portland Hearts of Pine on July 29th. By signing the academy contracts, Joshua “Aran” Spengler (18), Lucas Fredericks (19), Eeli Elovaara (17), Tristan Frederickson (18) and Michael McGurk (16) are eligible to play in official first-team games for the Paradise USL League One team while maintaining their college eligibility.
Sharing his excitement for this next step in the young players’ careers, Mark Ward, Sarasota Paradise U20 head Coach and first team Assistant Coach said: “Having seen the growth of these players during their tenure with our Pre-Professional USL Reserve squad, I am very proud of the work they put in to get to this point. These young men have shown professionalism and maturity throughout the season both in the reserve team environment and first team environment. We are excited to offer this opportunity to these talented young men and show the community that our pathway is thriving!”
Joshua “Aran” Spengler from Riverview, FL, came to Paradise from the West Florida Flames youth soccer club. A crafty, technical midfielder, Aran reads the game well and has a strong presence on the field as a leader in and out of possession. After enjoying a successful youth soccer career, the holding central midfielder is looking to follow his older brother Phillip “Ajmeer” Spengler’s, one of the top players for the New York Cosmos in USL League One, footsteps into the professional game: “I am extremely grateful to Paradise for their belief in me and my efforts to take my career to the next level. I feel blessed to have been given such an opportunity, and I’d like to thank my family, friends, and coaches who have all supported me along my journey. I am truly excited to start this new chapter in Paradise.”
A talented attacking player from Sebring, FL, Lucas Fredericks’ Previous Club was the Miami Vipers in the UPSL. A fast and aggressive winger, Lucas has attracted the attention of MLS academies and MLS Next clubs, but chose the Paradise U20s for the next step on his developmental journey. Since joining Sarasota Paradise just a couple months ago, he has made an instant impact, scoring goals and providing assists in both the UPSL and USL Academy. As he continues his development and the pursuit of a professional contract, Lucas has a lot of potential to impact the outcomes of games and entertain the fans. “I am very grateful to officially sign for Paradise. Thank you to the staff and my teammates for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I am excited for this next chapter and ready to get back to work,” Fredericks commented.
Eeli Elovaara, from Wilmington, NC, brings two years of USL Academy U20 experience with the back-to-back South Atlantic Division Champion Richmond Kickers with him to Paradise. He broke into the Kickers U20 starting lineup already as a 15-year-old, playing alongside the likes of current FC Dallas MLS player Nicholas Simmonds for the Kickers team that finished the 2024 USL Academy season as national semi-finalists. A consistent goal threat and chance creator, the attacking midfielder has made an immediate impact on the Paradise U20s, scoring goals and providing assists in the USL Academy league since joining the club in June. “I am really grateful for this opportunity, and super excited to get to work and learn from such great players and coaches every day,” Elovaara said.
Originally from Naples, FL, Tristan Frederickson is an 18-year-old goalkeeper very experienced for his age. The Florida West FC youth soccer club product spent the last two years with the FC Bayern München Global Academy in Germany. While there, Tristan had the benefit of training and playing within one of the most legendary global brands in soccer and their professional staff, including FIFA World Cup winner Klaus Augenthaler, the Head Coach of the Bayern Global Academy. Tristan has a strong presence on the field and he is capable of making game-winning saves while leading the backline. He has been training with the Paradise first team since arriving here in May, and his day to day professionalism combined with his strong potential have impressed the first team technical staff. Reflecting on the moment, Frederickson said: “I am so thankful for the staff at Sarasota Paradise for giving me the opportunity to sign an academy contract. I am very happy with this club, with an amazing staff and players who welcome me and push me to do my best. The environment is amazing and I am very grateful to continue to be a part of this supportive community.”
Michael “Mikey” McGurk from Palm Harbor, FL played his youth soccer for the Clearwater Chargers and the West Florida Flames. Relentless with his work ethic and a quick learner, he has been a key goal contributor for the Paradise U20s since they began competition in March, scoring 6 goals and providing 3 assists in all competitions. Capable of playing as a striker and a winger, Mikey has versatile potential and as the youngest ever signee for Sarasota Paradise at only 16, he is already paving the way and inspiring the young players in the area. Alongside his fellow signees, Mikey got his first minutes with the professional team on July 29th against Portland Hearts of Pine, performing and competing well against an experienced and fully professional Portland defense. Commenting on the occasion, McGurk said: “I am very grateful to sign an academy contract with Sarasota Paradise. I want to give a huge thank you to all the coaches, my teammates, my parents, and everyone who has believed in and supported me throughout this journey. I’m excited for what’s ahead and ready to keep working every day.”
“Mark Ward and [U20 Assistant Coach and pro team captain] Aaron Walker have done an incredible job working with our U20s this season. To bridge the developmental gap from youth soccer to the professional game is complex and challenging, and I am grateful to have such great coaches and role models in key roles at our club. As we recognize the work Aran, Lucas, Eeli, Tristan and Mikey have put in for years to earn this next step on their journey, we are excited to see where each of them are headed. The work and the journey continue at an even higher level now,” Sarasota Paradise Technical Director and first team Head Coach Mika Elovaara commented.
