Sarasota Paradise’s 2025 USL League Two campaign came to a close with a hard-fought 2-1 loss to Fort Lauderdale United FC in the Southern Conference Semifinal.
The visitors struck early, with Joackim Betina finding the back of the net in just the 2nd minute, giving Fort Lauderdale an immediate lead.
Paradise struggled to settle into the game during the first half, searching for an equalizer. Their best chance came through Christian Leon, whose right-footed shot toward the bottom corner was denied by Fort Lauderdale’s goalkeeper.
Sarasota came out strong in the second half and found the breakthrough in the 48th minute. Romeo Dahlen scored off a corner kick, sending Paradise fans into a loud celebration.
Just five minutes later, Paradise nearly took the lead. Kai Tamashiro whipped in a cross to Elias Khodri, but Khodri couldn’t get the contact he wanted, and the ball ended up safely in the goalkeeper’s hands.
Tamashiro and Khodri, both of whom were subbed on at halftime, helped spark a more dangerous attack for Paradise.
Fort Lauderdale responded with a chance of their own after the second-half hydration break, but Sarasota defender Andrew Hollenbach stepped in front of the shot, allowing goalkeeper Jack Kilstrom to collect it cleanly.
As the second half progressed, Fort Lauderdale turned up the pressure, forcing Sarasota’s back line to hold firm.
In the 76th minute, Dahlen found space outside the box and let off a strike that narrowly missed the bottom left corner.
But in the 90th minute, Fort Lauderdale launched a counter-attack, and Ronaldo Belgrove capitalized, giving the visitors a late 2-1 lead.
Despite pushing for an equalizer in stoppage time, Sarasota couldn’t find the net again, bringing their USL League Two season to an end.
While one chapter closes, another begins. Sarasota Paradise is going professional and will join USL League One in 2026.
Season ticket deposits are now open. Get yours at sarasotaparadise.us/2026