Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-0 Sarasota Paradise | USL Cup Match Report

The Tampa Bay Rowdies marched into the next round of the USL Cup with a professional 2-0 victory over Sarasota Paradise on April 26, 2026. Playing at Al Lang Stadium, the Rowdies controlled proceedings from start to finish against their lower-division opponents, advancing with minimal fuss.

Match Overview

The cup tie saw the Rowdies, a full-time professional side, face off against Sarasota Paradise, an amateur team from the lower echelons of the USL pyramid. Despite the gulf in resources, Sarasota showed commendable spirit but were ultimately outclassed by Tampa Bay's superior fitness, organization, and technical quality.

The result keeps the Rowdies on track for a deep USL Cup run, while Sarasota can hold their heads high after a valiant effort in front of a lively home crowd.

Key Moments

• 26th minute: Jake LaCava opened the scoring for the Rowdies, slotting home from close range after a low cross from Forrest Lasso.
• 67th minute: Steevan dos Santos doubled the lead with a towering header from a corner, effectively ending the contest.

Tactical Story

Tampa Bay dominated possession (68%) and created numerous chances against a deep-lying Sarasota defense. The Rowdies' width stretched the Paradise backline, while their physical advantage in set pieces proved decisive. Sarasota defended with discipline for long periods but lacked the personnel to sustain pressure or create meaningful opportunities at the other end.

Standout Players

• Jake LaCava (Tampa Bay): Scored the opener and worked tirelessly in the attack.
• Forrest Lasso (Tampa Bay): A rock at the back and provided the assist for the first goal.
• Matthew Salas (Sarasota Paradise): Made several key saves to keep the scoreline respectable.

Cup Impact

The win advances the Tampa Bay Rowdies to the next round of the USL Cup, where they will face higher-ranked opposition. For Sarasota Paradise, the cup run ends with pride intact, having made the tie competitive for over an hour. The experience will prove valuable for the amateur side, who now return focus to their league campaign.

Rowdies head coach Stuart Dobson praised his team's patience and professionalism, emphasizing the importance of cup progress for building momentum in the USL Championship season as well.