Sarasota Paradise

Last updated

Sarasota Paradise
Sarasota Paradise Logo.webp
FoundedOctober 26, 2022
StadiumPremier Sports Campus
Lakewood Ranch, Florida
OwnersMarco Assis and Marcus Walfridson
Head coachMirko Dakovic
League USL League Two
2024 1st, South Florida Division
Playoffs: Conference Quarter Finals
Website https://www.sarasotaparadise.us/

Sarasota Paradise is an American soccer club based in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, competing in the South Florida Division of USL League Two. The club began play in 2023 and plays their home matches at Premier Sports Campus.

Contents

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

Sarasota Paradise will join the professional league USL League One in the 2026 season.

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.

Stadium

The club currently plays at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch for their 2025 season. [6]

Players and staff

Technical staff

PositionName
Head coachMirko Dakovic
Assistant coachJamie Hutchison
Assistant coachGlodi Konga
Assistant coachMark Macphee

Roster

PositionNameNumber
Forward Flag of the United States.svg Kai Tamashiro7
Defender Flag of the United States.svg Jaden Berman3
Defender Flag of the United States.svg Mikey Burke2
Defender Flag of the United States.svg Roman Shot47
Forward Flag of the United States.svg Seth Mahlmeister9
Midfielder Flag of the United States.svg JP Jordan6
Midfielder Flag of the United States.svg Valerio Tatafiore10
Defender Flag of the United States.svg Enzo Panozzo14
Defender Flag of the United States.svg Michael Carboni13
Defender Flag of the United States.svg Felipe Rojas12
Midfielder Flag of the United States.svg Victor Van den Broek14
Defender Flag of Japan.svg Hosei Kijima 16
Forward Flag of the United States.svg William Pierce18
Forward Flag of the United States.svg Caleb Powell19
Midfielder Flag of the United States.svg Christian Leon15
Midfielder Flag of the United States.svg Ben Goldberg22
Forward Flag of the United States.svg Ryan Sims26
Forward Flag of the United States.svg Isaiah Easley30
Forward Flag of the United States.svg Oliver Dahlen35
Forward Flag of the United States.svg Andres Friere21
GoalkeeperBrendan Reilly29

Year-by-year

YearDivisionLeagueRegular SeasonPlayoffsOpen CupAverage Attendance
2023 4USL League Two4th, South FloridaDid not qualifyDid not qualify426
2024 4USL League Two1st, South FloridaConference Quarter FinalsDid QualifyN/A
2025 4USL League Two1st, South FloridaConference Semi Finals First Round N/A

Honors

League

Player

YearPlayerCountryPosHonor
2023Hosei KijimaFlag of Japan.svg JPNDTeam 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. ↑ "New Home Field for Paradise". SarasotaParadise.us. Sarasota Paradise. December 19, 2024. Archived from the original on February 14, 2025. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
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