Polk County soccer players always bring a sentiment of care for Lakeland United that is more intrinsic to the local players than that of the international competitors.
After all, the Lakeland United carries the name of the hometown for many of them, making that a sense of pride, which can be fuel that boosts desire to win and to advance the club in all areas. Additionally, it’s well known that Polk County has a tremendous amount of soccer talent that always goes to Tampa and Orlando areas once they reach an even higher level of play. Still, thanks to some recent developments, Lakeland United has now reached a level where the organization will, in fact, fight to keep them all home.
While the club’s biggest mission is the bridge program model with the main emphasis of developing players and securing them a college scholarship as well as professional contracts — this year the club broke the record of college scholarships secured with 68 in total — winning and creating a championship culture comes right behind it. And in the club’s first year in the USL League Two, Lakeland United finished second in the league’s South Florida Division with 22 points, just behind Fort Lauderdale United FC, finishing with a record of 7-4-1.
“Of course we wanted to secure the conference championship, but in the grand scheme of things we could not (be) happier and prouder with our players and coaching staff,” Tauan Salgado, Co-Founder of Lakeland United FC, said. “… I believe that our coaching staff is the biggest winner of all. I wouldn’t change a thing, and I actually believe that they surpassed all the expectations for year one. We are just so blessed to have the kind of people and professionals who believe in our vision.
“Then the atmosphere and club culture, which have been our secret sauce since our inception in 2021, was also incredible, and I dare to say probably the best overall group we’ve ever had. The group of selected players carried the Lakeland United way and culture flag flawlessly. In terms of recruitment, which is my job … I believe we could not ask for a better group of human beings. Looking forward to next summer.”
Salgado said he would like to add a couple pieces that, in the context of style of play and personality, could give the program something a bit more than what it had in 2026 if attaining the conference and national championships are the goals.
“Don’t get me wrong, this group of players was special speaking strictly in terms of level and we could have gone all the way. But learning more about the conference and league context as we went has definitely shaped us to be in a good place for some small adjustments for 2027,” Salgado said.
Although this particular season is over, in just a few weeks is August for the fall season of competition when Lakeland United are slated to compete in the Uniter Premier Soccer League (UPSL), both Premier Division (1st) and Division 1 (2nd). A full roster of 50 players with a blend of internationals from 15-plus countries and some very good Polk County talent will be featured. And there will be the start of a new cycle of player development that will eventually culminate with another record-setting year of college placement, creating even more real opportunities.
Current Lakeland United player, former Lake Gibson soccer competitor, and The Ledger’s 2020 Player of the Year Mason Dalton, who just arrived in Portugal to try out for the pro clubs, took full advantage of the highest level of preprofessional soccer in the United States right here at Bryant Stadium in Lakeland.
“The experience has been something far different then what I’ve experienced on any team. Being back home and being able to represent Lakeland is more than what I could ever ask for. The way we play as a team, keeping the ball and playing a possession-based game has helped my technical side of my game tremendously and my overall performance. After this team the pro path really begins with trials in the U.S. and overseas,” Dalton previously said.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Lakeland United soccer wraps season, hits record number of scholarships
Reporting by Robert Magobet, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Robert Magobet, Lakeland Ledger | USA TODAY Network
