AV ALTA FC came from behind in spirit but actually struck first, claiming a 1–2 away victory over Sarasota Paradise in USL League One action on Saturday. Jerry Desdunes opened the scoring in the 33rd minute for the visitors, Anderson Rosa equalized four minutes into the second half, and Adam Aoumaich netted the winner in the 76th minute to seal all three points for AV ALTA FC.
The first half belonged largely to the away side. Desdunes broke the deadlock midway through the opening period, giving AV ALTA FC a deserved lead heading into the break. Sarasota Paradise had no immediate answer and went into halftime trailing on home soil.
The hosts came out with more urgency after the interval. Rosa found the net in the 49th minute to level things at 1–1, injecting life into Sarasota's evening. The momentum seemed to shift, but it proved short-lived.
AV ALTA FC regrouped and restored their advantage through Aoumaich in the 76th minute. It was a clinical response from the visitors, who showed composure at a point in the match when Sarasota Paradise looked to be building pressure.
The final minutes grew testy. Declan Watters picked up a yellow card for Sarasota in first-half stoppage time of the second period, and AV ALTA FC's Miguel Ibarra was also cautioned moments later as both sides scrapped through the dying stages. Neither booking altered the outcome.
The result gives AV ALTA FC a valuable three points on the road and leaves Sarasota Paradise searching for answers at home as the season pushes deeper into the spring schedule.
USL League One