Sarasota Paradise suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to FC Naples on Wednesday night, losing on the final kick of the game after equalizing minutes earlier.
Even before the first whistle, anticipation was building in the stands for this crucial rivalry match. With Naples ahead of Sarasota by a single point and both teams two victories away from a potential playoff spot, the two rivals knew that a win was the only way to not only keep their playoff hopes alive, but knock a bitter foe out of contention.
Paradise started on the front foot, creating attacking chances early on and making their way into the opposition box multiple times within the first five minutes continuing a pattern of being on the offensive early in recent matches.
The two teams traded possession through the first fifteen minutes of the contest, each sides’ offense testing the keepers as the game remained a scoreless, gritty fight between the two rivals.
Paradise would nearly open the scoring in the 29th minute. Driving in from the right side, Romain Gall would have his shot blocked by a defender, with the deflection being received by Ethan Bryant. Setting his feet, Bryant hit a powerful strike that tested the Naples keeper, forcing a save to be made.
After both sides exchange chances, Sander Røed would open the scoring for the Paradise in the 34th minute. Jonathan Bolanos and Anderson Rosa were able to combine for a give and go on the left hand side of the field leading to Rosa slipping the ball through to Sander Røed. Røed took his touch into space before unleashing a low, long-range strike that flew past Delgado and into the goal to give Sarasota a 1-0 lead.
That lead would not last long, as Naples would respond just four minutes later. Christopher Garcia sending in a corner that Ty Collins headed home to level the score, which would stay level when the halftime whistle blew.
Paradise goalkeeper Alex Sutton started the second half with some elite goalkeeping, denying a charging Garcia twice in front of goal in the 47th minute and letting out a triumphant yell to fire his teammates up.
Naples would take the lead in the 60th minute, Kevin O’Connor sending in a direct free kick that glanced off Sutton’s outstretched hand and into the back of the net to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.
Though down, Sarasota were certainly not out as they showed resilience throughout the remainder of the half, attacking into Naples’s final third and pressuring their defense and goalkeeper as they looked for the equalizer.
Paradise came closest to equalizing in the 80th minute, a Sander Røed corner connecting with the head of Kisa Kiingi who headed it down towards goal, but it fell into the hands of Delgado, leaving Sarasota searching as time continued to tick away.
Fueled by the raucous atmosphere from the home fans, the Paradise would find their equalizer in the opening moments of extra time. Working their way up the field, Røed fed a pass to Anderson Rosa, who sprinted upfield towards goal. Rosa hit a cross into the box, looking to find a Paradise attacker. Rising above a defender, Garrett McLaughlin headed a ball towards Jonathan Bolanos who perfectly timed a right-footed volley past Delgado to level the game at two apiece and send The Helm into a delirious frenzy as fans celebrated.
With new life, Sarasota fought their opposition through the remaining minutes of extra time, vying for another chance at a late-game comeback to keep their season alive.
As both teams pushed hard for the win in the dying seconds, Naples fended off a Sarasota attack before launching a counterattack of their own, a long ball landing at the feet of Julian Cisneros who took off on a breakaway to attempt a late winner. Aaron Walker fouled Cisneros to bring the breakaway to a halt and stop the threat. As he was the last man back for the Paradise, he received a straight red card for his valiant defensive action.
With the ensuing free kick being the final kick of the game, Hal Uderitz sent a shot past the outstretched arms of Sutton to give Naples a last-second win and knock Sarasota out of the playoffs.
Despite the result, Paradise showed the grit, tenacity, and resilience that defined their entire season this game, clawing back for a late equalizer as the home fans willed them on, applauding their effort once the final whistle sounded.
STATS TO KNOW
Anderson Rosa: 2 shot assists, 5 interceptions, 75% challenge success, key in both attack and defense.
Jonathan Bolanos: 2 shot assists, 0.4 xT, vital in chance creation.
Amadeus: 5 interceptions, 62% challenge rate, helped stabilize defense.
QUOTES
“I think it’s a testament to our culture. I’ve said that from day one that this is a special group of players, it’s a special locker room,we enjoy coming in to work everyday, we enjoy training and I think that’s why this one hurt so bad. Obviously unlucky in the end but a really really big turn around for the boys and that culture was a big part of the win streak.” – Jonathan Bolanos
“Nobody put their head down and thought we were down and out. We scraped and clawed our way back to get to the position that we’re in now. For that, I’m extremely proud of the whole group. We have a lot of high character guys that have bought into this culture and it shows. I’m just so proud of the way that we fought even when we’ve been in holes this whole year, including this game.” – Aaron Walker
“I think everyone in here can feel the atmosphere, unbelievable when Jono strikes that ball and hits the net. To hear the roar of the crowd and how much they were behind us tonight was really special. Can’t state enough how much we as a team appreciate that, it means so much to us. ” – Declan Watters
“I’m very grateful that we have such a rivalry here on the west coast of Florida, it makes it an exciting experience for everyone involved. That tying goal doesn’t come from unless our fans are cheering us on and The Helm is banging their drums and chanting and everything. Our guys get energy from it and it certainly helps us perform on the field.” – Head Coach Mika Elovaara
UP NEXT
Paradise return to Premier Sports Campus to wrap up their season on Saturday, October 24 versus Westchester SC at 7:30 PM.
