Sarasota Paradise announces returning players, coaches and 2025 season tryout date
SARASOTA, Fla. — Sarasota Paradise, a USL League Two team based in Sarasota, recently announced the return of several key players and coaches for the upcoming 2025 season, as well as announced the official date for player tryouts.
Returning players to this year’s roster include 2024 captain and defender Felipe Rojas, who graduated from University of Central Florida; defender Andrew Hollenbach, who attends and plays at Purdue University Fort Wayne; midfielder James Maxwell, who attends and plays at Northern Kentucky University; forward Fabrizio Bernal, who attends and plays at Xavier University; forward Kai Tamashiro, who attends and plays at Liberty University; and defender Enzo Panozzo, who attends and plays at Southern Methodist University.
Those interested in playing for Sarasota Paradise for the 2025 season can attend player tryouts on February 8 – 9, 2025 at Premier Sports Campus. Tryout payment must be submitted in advance online to participate.
This year, Sarasota Paradise is also bringing back all of its coaches, including Mirko Dakovic as head coach, Glodi Konga as assistant coach, Mark MacPhee as goalkeeper coach and Jamie Hutchison as assistant coach. Lilly Mae Stewart, Sarasota Paradise’s team administrator and student at Florida State University, is also returning.
The 2025 season will kick off with its first game on May 17 at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, the team’s new home field.
Located in the heart of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Premier Sports Campus is a true haven for sports enthusiasts, athletes and spectators alike. With world-class facilities and a commitment to fostering a love for sports, the campus is the ultimate destination for sporting excellence.
The property is equipped with 23 FIFA regulation fields that are laser leveled and meticulously maintained, and a stadium with more than 3,000 seats. Each field is comprised of Celebration-seeded Bermuda grass, which has excellent wear tolerance and is the preferred surface for reducing player injuries.
Since its launch in 2023, the pre-professional soccer team has seen much success, including being named New Organization of the Year by the USL in 2023, having its first player in the team’s history be drafted into the MLS, and being named division champions and attending playoffs in Asheville, North Carolina during its 2024 season.
For more information, visit SarasotaParadise.us.
About Sarasota Paradise
Launched in 2023, Sarasota Paradise is a USL League Two team based in Sarasota, Florida. The men’s pre-professional soccer team aims to bring high-level soccer to Sarasota and the surrounding community, with a commitment to nurturing local talent and providing a platform for aspiring players.
Founded by Marcus Walfridson, Sarasota Paradise came to fruition when Walfridson, a devoted soccer entrepreneur from Sweden, fell in love with Sarasota and recognized the need for a local soccer team. Since then, the team has seen much success, including being named New Organization of the Year by the USL in 2023 and having its first player in the team’s history be drafted into the MLS.
To learn more, visit SarasotaParadise.us.