SARASOTA, Fla. & TAMPA, Fla. – Sarasota Paradise today announced the launch of its USL Academy U20 Team, which will serve as a critical bridge between talented young amateur players and the club’s professional squad entering USL League One in 2026.

The Sarasota Paradise U20 team will compete in the USL Academy League, operating under the same technical framework and playing style as the professional side, led by Head Coach and Technical Director Mika Elovaara. Designed to provide a high-level pre-professional training environment with a direct connection to the local USL senior team, the USL Academy League allows up to three over-aged players on the roster, creating a true platform for player development and the pursuit of the professional level.

The Sarasota Paradise U20 program is designed to identify and develop top youth talent while providing a direct pathway to the professional level. The initiative marks another major step in Sarasota Paradise’s commitment to long-term player development and building a sustainable soccer structure in the community.

“There is no development without the appropriate platform and the people who make the programming," said Sarasota Paradise Head Coach and Technical Director Mika Elovaara. "In my previous role with the Richmond Kickers, the U20 program produced multiple homegrown professional players as well as Academy Contract players for the professional team. The greater Tampa Bay region has incredible talent and we truly want to be here for everyone. I expect our U20 team to be very competitive from day one, and I am looking forward to working with our staff to select the players for our inaugural team. I wouldn’t be surprised if we found a player or two from this U20 tryout for our professional team as well.”

Open tryouts for the Sarasota Paradise U20 Team will be held December 20–21, 2025. Players can register at: www.sarasotaparadise.us/tryouts

The team will train and compete locally, aligning its calendar with the USL Academy League schedule in 2026. Additional details, including staff appointments and match information, will be announced in the coming months.