Know Your Enemy: Sarasota Paradise

The Richmond Kickers return to City Stadium on Friday, July 3 to face expansion side Sarasota Paradise. It's a matchup that's been on the radar for fans of both clubs ever since Sarasota hired longtime Richmond assistant Mika Elovaara as Head Coach ahead of the season. Elovaara then reunited with several former Kickers players as he assembled his inaugural roster.

Those former Kickers all played key roles during Richmond's memorable 2022 season, including Jonathan Bolanos, Ethan Bryant, Chandler O'Dwyer and Emiliano Terzaghi. The latter arrived from Portland in mid-June and made an immediate impact, recording a goal and an assist in his Sarasota debut as the Paradise stunned Union Omaha 2-0.

It should also be noted that long-time Kickers veteran Matt Bolduc made five appearances and scored a goal while on a 25 day contract with Sarasota in May.

With all of these familiar names, Sarasota reaches the halfway point of its inaugural season with a 5-10-1 record, sitting 12th in the table after 16 matches. The expansion side has shown flashes of its potential with wins over Omaha and Boise, but has also endured some difficult road performances, conceding four goals apiece in losses to Chattanooga and Corpus Christi.

With Richmond struggling for consistency both at home and away, Sarasota will see this as a chance to leave City Stadium with points, unless the Kickers used the break to rediscover their form.

Sarasota is more than just a reunion of former Kickers, though. Since Richmond fans already know those faces, let's take a look at four other Paradise players they should keep an eye on during Friday night's match.

Anderson Rosa

Rosa arrived in Sarasota with an impressive résumé. The Brazilian left back captained the University of Central Florida for four seasons, became the program's all-time leader in appearances, and was selected by the Colorado Rapids in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft. He made two MLS appearances with Colorado before spending the remainder of the season with Rapids 2 in MLS NEXT Pro.

Sixteen matches into Sarasota's inaugural campaign, Rosa has started every regular season match and leads the club with four goals despite taking just 11 shots. He's especially dangerous on set pieces within range.

Defensively, he also leads the squad in interceptions, tackles won and duels won, showcasing the two-way impact that has quickly made him one of the league's standout fullbacks.

Sander Røed

The 25-year-old Norwegian joined Sarasota after a standout NCAA career at the University of Louisville and a season in his homeland's third tier. Billed as a creative, intelligent playmaker when he signed, Røed has more than lived up to that reputation in his first professional season.

Røed enters Friday tied with Portland's Ollie Wright for the USL League One lead in assists while also adding a pair of goals. Whether he's threading passes through the defense or delivering dangerous service into the box, he's become the focal point of Sarasota's attack and one of the league's most productive chance creators.

Garrett McLaughlin

The longtime USL veteran was Sarasota's first announced signing after spending the previous season and a half with Forward Madison. While he hasn't replicated the prolific scoring numbers he posted with North Carolina FC and Toronto FC II between 2021 and 2023, McLaughlin remains a dangerous forward whose movement and work rate consistently occupy opposing defenses.

The recent arrival of Terzaghi has given Elovaara even more options in attack, with McLaughlin joining Terzaghi, Sean Karani, O'Dwyer and Røed in a fluid front line. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, McLaughlin's relentless pressing and willingness to run in behind make him the type of striker capable of causing problems for a Richmond defense that has been vulnerable in transition this season.

Declan Watters

Sarasota captain Declan Watters arrived from Chattanooga, where he earned First Team All-League honors while anchoring one of USL League One's stingiest defenses. He's taken on a similar role with the Paradise, leading the squad in clearances, blocks and aerial duels won through the first half of the season.

The back line has been inconsistent, conceding three or more goals in three matches over the past two months. Even so, Sarasota has also held Spokane, the Cosmos, Boise and Omaha to one goal or fewer during that stretch. If Richmond is going to rediscover its scoring touch on Friday, it'll likely have to do so against a defense organized by one of the league's most experienced center backs.

Richmond Kickers vs. Sarasota Paradise: How to Watch

If you can't make it to City Stadium, the match will be on ESPN+.

Note that the kickoff for this match is at 7:30 PM.