Sarasota Paradise

Sarasota Paradise

Founded	November 19, 2022
Stadium	Premier Sports Campus Lakewood Ranch, Florida
Owners	Marco Assis and Marcus Walfridson
Head Coach	Mika Elovaara
League	USL League One
Website	https://www.sarasotaparadise.us/
Home colors Away colors

Sarasota Paradise is an American soccer club based in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, competing at USL League One. The club began play in 2023 and plays their home games at Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch.

Sarasota Paradise is principally owned by Marco Assis, CEO of Propio Language Services, with Marcus Walfridson as co-owner.

History

Club branding was announced by founder Marcus Walfridson on January 14, 2023.

Sarasota Paradise made their league debut on May 20, 2023, a 1–0 loss away at Miami AC. ^[1] They made their home debut on June 3, 2023, defeating FC Miami City 2–1 in front of a crowd of nearly 500 spectators. ^[2] The team finished 4th in the South Florida Division, 6 points behind division winners Weston FC. Their final home game of the season garnered 1086 fans in attendance. Defender Hosei Kojima was selected to the 2023 USL League Two Team of the Year, drafted number 17 in the MLS Superdraft, and is now playing for MLS side St. Louis City SC. ^{[3] [4]}

In their second season, Sarasota Paradise secured their first South Florida Division Championship in club history with a 1-0 victory away against St. Petersburg FC. Sarasota Paradise remained undefeated at home throughout the season. Key results included a commanding 4-0 win over Miami AC, a thrilling 4-4 draw with Tampa Bay United, and a decisive 3-0 victory against Weston FC. This success earned the team a spot in the playoffs, where they faced Brave SC. ^[5]

On February 19, 2025, Sarasota Paradise was announced as an expansion team in USL League One of the third division of the United States soccer league system to start play in the 2026 season. ^[6] Garrett McLaughlin was announced as the first professional player signed in club history in November of that year. ^[7]

Stadium

The club currently plays at Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch. ^[8]

Players and staff

Technical staff

Position	Name
Head Coach & Technical Director	Mika Elovaara

Roster (as of December 8th, 2025)

Position	Name
Forward	Garrett McLaughlin
Midfielder	Maximus Tainio
Midfielder	Jørgen Pettersen
Defender	Roberto Burlew

Year-by-year

Year	Division	League	Regular season	Playoffs	Open Cup	Average Attendance
2023	4	USL League Two	4th, South Florida	Did not qualify	Did not qualify	426
2024	4	USL League Two	1st, South Florida	Conference Quarter Finals	Did qualify	521
2025	4	USL League Two	1st, South Florida	Conference Semi Finals	First Round	1,348
2026	3	USL League One	N/A	N/A	Did not qualify	N/A

Honors

League

• USL League Two South Florida Conference
  • Winner (1): 2024

Player

Year	Player	Country	Pos	Honor
2023	Hosei Kijima	JPN	D	Team of the Year

References

1. "Miami AC vs. Sarasota Paradise - Final Score - May 20, 2023". Fox Sports . Archived from the original on November 25, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
2. Kohn, Ryan (June 7, 2023). "Sarasota Paradise soccer team scores on and off field in first home game". Observer. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
3. "Hosei Kijima Selected in THE BEST 11 of The Nation". Sarasota Paradise. August 15, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
4. "Presenting the 2023 USL League Two Team of the Year". USL League Two. August 11, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
5. "Paradise Playoff and Season Recap". Sarasota Paradise. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
6. "Sarasota Paradise to join USL League One". USL League One. February 19, 2025. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
7. "Sarasota Paradise Signs Garrett McLaughlin as First Player in Club History". USL League One. November 12, 2025.
8. "New Home Field for Paradise". SarasotaParadise.us. Sarasota Paradise. December 19, 2024. Archived from the original on February 14, 2025. Retrieved February 19, 2025.