Anderson Rosa Named to 2026 USL League One All-League First Team
Paradise left back earns league honors in the club’s inaugural season after appearing in all 32 matches with 8 goals and 9 assists
Sarasota, Fl. – November 3, 2026 — Sarasota Paradise defender Anderson Rosa has been named to the 2026 USL League One All-League First Team, the league announced today. The selection, recognizing Rosa as one of the top performers in the league, comes in the wake of a historic campaign for the Brazilian defender. A key player in establishing the style of play for Sarasota Paradise, Rosa’s 8 goals and 17 total goal contributions is a USL League One record in a season for a defender.
Rosa started the season on the left side of the Paradise back line and stayed there, appearing in all 32 regular-season matches. While he earned a lot of recognition for his attacking flair and threat going forward, Rosa also stood out in a lot of key categories on defense: 47 tackles (with 68% success rate), 34 interceptions and 11 blocked shots. On the attacking side of the play, he finished with 8 goals and 9 assists (third in USL League One).
That consistency goes back to his college career, where Rosa never missed a match in five seasons at UCF.
“I am delighted for Anderson to get the recognition from the league and the technical staffs in USL League One; I can’t think of anyone more deserving of the accolade. While Anderson’s numbers on the field speak for themselves, more importantly, he is an exceptional human being and a core member of the leadership in our locker room. He leads by example every single day, and has therefore helped us build a foundation for our club on and off the field in our first year in the league,” said Sarasota Paradise Head Coach and Technical Director Mika Elovaara.
Rosa thanked the people around him for the honor.
“First and foremost, I want to thank God for guiding me throughout this journey. I’m truly honored and grateful to be named to the USL League One Team of the Season. Thank you to my family, teammates, staff, and fans for your constant support and belief in me. None of this would be possible without you. This award is a reflection of everyone who has been part of this journey. I’m blessed, motivated, and hungry for more!” said Rosa.
Rosa is a native of Salvador, Brazil, and moved to the United States as a teenager to attend Montverde Academy. He played five seasons at the University of Central Florida, served as team captain from his sophomore year on, and set the school record with 76 career appearances. He earned First Team All-Conference honors twice in the American Athletic Conference and once in the Sun Belt Conference.
The Colorado Rapids selected Rosa in the second round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft. In 2025 he made two MLS appearances for the Rapids and 29 appearances for Rapids 2 in MLS NEXT Pro, where he helped the side win the Western Conference title. He signed with Sarasota Paradise in December 2025 ahead of the club’s inaugural USL League One season.
For tickets and the latest club news, visit sarasotaparadise.us or call 941-207-5873.
About Sarasota Paradise
Sarasota Paradise is a professional soccer club based at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. The club competed in its inaugural USL League One season in 2026. For more information, visit sarasotaparadise.us.