After becoming one of the 72 teams competing  in the USL League Two (USL2), Sarasota-Bradenton scored its first-ever minor league soccer franchise for the region with the Sarasota Metropolis FC Blue Dragons.  “Once we discovered the soccer community in the area, we decided to include Metropolis in our name because of our commitment to embrace and unify soccer fans,” says Club Founder and President Victor Young. Leading the Dragons as the Head Coach and Director of Soccer is Italian soccer legend and retired professional footballer Massimo Marazzina, who played as a striker for Italy’s national team. “We felt like we won the lottery when we were able to land Massimo Marazzina,” says Assistant General Manager, Jordyn Young. “His unique style of play mixes well with the elite athletes in the area.”

Since its breakout season, the football club has garnered boundless opportunities for top local talent and international recruits on the path to pro. “The United States Soccer League picked Sarasota Metropolis FC as one of the teams to showcase on their new television docu-series that will air this Fall,” shares Young of the behind-the-scenes footage, shot at the team’s IMG Academy homebase. And with 2020 Season Tryouts around the corner this month, continuing into December, Metropolis will also host a series of scouting events for players to be seen by other professional teams in the Southeast Division. “The other teams are excited to see the talent we will have to showcase on the west coast of Florida,” he says.   

Check out the May 2020 season’s schedule, including a highly anticipated, friendly rivalry game with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, at sarasotametropolisfc.com.  #GoBlueDragons