Monday, September 21, 20206 – Sarasota, FL
Sarasota Paradise recorded the biggest home win in USL League One history, putting up 6 goals against the Greenville Triumph. The Paradise extend their unbeaten streak to 6 games, fighting for a spot in the USL League One playoffs.
Sarasota began the game on the front foot, applying attacking pressure early.
The scoring started early for the Paradise. In the 3rd minute, Brendan Krueger switched the point of attack to the left hand-side, finding Jonathan Bolanos. Bolanos played the underlapping Anderson Rosa through on goal. Rosa struck the ball first time low and in the corner, beating Greenville Triumph goalkeeper Amal Knight. Anderson Rosa netted his team leading 7th goal of the season, giving the Paradise an early lead.
The second goal of the game would soon follow. Captain Declan Watters played a long ball through to Sander Røed, who was able to hold up the ball and play Romain Gall. Gall worked the ball into the penalty area and curled a shot on target. Amal Knight parried the ball away, when Brendan Krueger followed up the shot and finished the rebound. Krueger scored the Paradise’s second goal, finding the net in back to back games.
At the 42nd minute, the Paradise scored their third, this time from Winger Romain Gall. The Player To Watch received a ball on the left wing from Aaron Walker and began to take his man on. Gall shifted the ball onto his right foot and curled the ball into the far corner, beating the Greenville goalkeeper and igniting the crowd. Gall scored his frist goal for the Paradise in league play and had Premier Sports Campus rocking.
Right before the end of the half, Gall would be the orchestrator of Paradise’s fourth goal. Kisa Kiingi played a first time ball to Gall on the right handside, which Gall used to turn his defender. After taking his touch into space, Gall played an inviting ball into the penalty area which accurately found the head of Sander Røed. Røed scored the fourth of the game and the third for him on the season, ending the first half on a high note.
The Paradise began the second half the same way that they ended the first half. Despite being up by four goals, the Paradise demonstrated their determination to drive to put the game out of reach.
In the 54th minute, Bolanos would get his name on the scoresheet. After recording his third assist of the season in the third minute, he was played through on goal by Anderson Rosa and dribbled the ball into the box. Bolanos initial shot was blocked, with Krueger winning possession back in Greenville’s half. Krueger put his foot on the ball and found Bolanos outside of the box, who took a positive touch and launched a strike with power towards the near post, giving Paradise their Fifth of the night. Bolanos scored his fifth goal of the season and the fifth goal of the game.
Rounding out the game was Røed at the double. The play started with Andres Rodriguez showcasing his shifty feet, beating the Greenville midfield and playing a ball to Anderson Rosa. Rosa opened his body and hit a perfectly weighted through ball to the oncoming Røed, who took a touch and chipped the ball over the rushing Greenville goalkeeper. Røed fourth on the season alongside Rosa’s fifth assist topped a dominant display.
The records kept on coming, with Forward Lucas Fredericks making his professional debut. Fredericks, who signed a USL Academy contract with the Paradise in August, came on in the 87th minute for Jonathan Bolanos. A huge milestone in Fredericks’ professional career as well as the professional pathway from the Sarasota Paradise Youth Academy, with Lucas becoming the fourth USL Academy signee to make a professional appearance with the first team.
STATS TO KNOW
- Brendan Krueger (LW): Clinical in front of goal (xG 0.63), contributed to build-up with 1 assist.
- Jonathan Bolanos (LW): Creative force with 6 shot assists and highest xT (0.38).
- Amadeus (CB): Defensive anchor with 5 interceptions and strong challenge rate (62%).
QUOTES
Anderson Rosa “As we talk in the locker room every day, in training every single day we take it moment by moment. Every game is a final from now on as we are pushing for the playoffs.”
Romain Gall ” For me to get my first start, a goal and an assist and help the team to three points is the best feeling”
Lucas Fredericks ” Really excited to make my pro debut today. I want to thank all the coaches and staff for being there for me and my family coming out today…”
Head Coach Mika Elovaara: “6 games unbeaten doesn’t happen by accident. We’ve been working hard to become better and better with details and our team is as we know always been together but now that togetherness is also shown on the scoreboard. ”
UP NEXT
The Paradise have a week to prepare for their next game, where they travel away to Maine to take on Portland Hearts Of Pine to close out the Snowbird Derby Series on September 26th