Lakeland United, a Polk County‑based soccer club founded in 2021, capped its inaugural season by finishing second in the USL League Two South Florida Division, a remarkable debut that underscored the club’s rapid ascent.
The achievement was accompanied by a record‑breaking haul of 68 college scholarships for its players, a figure that eclipses the club’s own previous benchmarks and reflects a growing emphasis on academic and athletic development.
Building a pathway to the pros
Co‑founder Tauan Salgado said the club’s culture, forged over three years of grassroots work, has created an environment where young athletes feel both challenged and supported, a sentiment that resonates throughout the organization.
The next chapter will see Lakeland United compete in the Uniter Premier Soccer League (UPSL) this fall, fielding a 50‑player roster drawn from talent pools across the globe and from within Polk County itself.
Among those prospects is forward Mason Dalton, who is currently trialing with professional clubs in Portugal, citing the club’s unique blend of competition and community as a catalyst for his own growth.
Salgado emphasized the club’s intent to retain local talent that might otherwise migrate to larger markets such as Tampa or Orlando, positioning Lakeland United as a sustainable hub for regional soccer development.