More than a match: Game night with the Sarasota Paradise

Written by Lisa Neff

The sun began to set, burning orange like a Florida Highwaymen painting, and then came the shouts—a kick, a roar as the ball hit the net.

This is Paradise. Specifically, it’s game night for the Sarasota Paradise at Premier Sports Campus, 5895 Post Blvd., Lakewood Ranch.

The club took on Corpus Christi FC on April 22 and scored a goal in the 41st minute, just before halftime. Sarasota would score another before the match ended, defeating Corpus Christi 2-1 to the delight of fan Devon Fernos of Bradenton.

“This was a really good night for the guys,” said Fernos, who played soccer through high school and has long wanted a pro club in his hometown. “It’s always a great night here. Just love it. Professional in every way.”

The club, which began play in 2023, is now in its second season at Premier Sports Campus and its first as a USL League One professional club, having opened that chapter on March 7. That night drew a record crowd of 2,791 fans — the largest in club history — to Premier Sports Campus, as the team played its first professional game.

And that’s after Sarasota Paradise completed a season of firsts in 2025: its first season at Premier Sports, its first U.S. Cup play, a dominant regular season record of 9-1-2, and its first playoff win.

“It’s a giant step forward for us,” said Paradise founder and CEO Marcus Walfridson. “From the level of players we’re able to attract from all around the world to the incredible game-day experience we have created … the standards have increased across the board.”

Walfridson said the club’s priorities are clear: building community, establishing an identity on the field, expanding a youth academy, and becoming a pillar for soccer in the region—while, as he put it, “having a lot of fun doing it.”

Such was the case on April 22.

With whistles sounding, vuvuzelas buzzing, fans applauding, the players stepped out onto the pitch, hand in hand with children from a local soccer program.

Concessions were crowded, with fans lined up for popcorn, hot dogs, sodas, and giant pretzels. Beers were served and a food truck selling specialty coffees did brisk business.

“It’s a Wednesday night. And I’ve got a long drive home. So, it’s coffee for me,” said fan Shelly Callahan of Arcadia.

Behind the stands, kids in replica jerseys kicked soccer balls, imitating the pros on the pitch.

Those pros, led by head coach and technical director Mika Elovaara, come to Lakewood Ranch from around the world.

“In addition to our core of domestic players, we’ve been able to recruit from Brazil, England, Ireland, Ghana, Sweden, Norway, and Finland,” Walfridson said. “We’ve been very intentional about the type of individuals we bring in, including within our expert coaching staff. We want players and coaches who share our vision on the field, and who are able to connect with the community and represent us.”

In late March, less than a month into the new season, the club announced the signing of Swedish defender Hugo Bäckstrand, a national champion and two-time domestic cup winner in the Swedish youth ranks, according to a news release.

Bäckstrand’s arrival added to a growing Nordic contingent that includes Maximus Tainio, Jørgen Pettersen, and Sander Røed.

Bäckstrand said at the time, “This season is gonna be a great one, so why not be a part of it by coming to our games and supporting us? We’re gonna play entertaining and high-quality soccer.”

In mid-March, the club announced the signing of Ghanaian goalkeeper Rockson Amedeka, 18, to a multi-year contract. He came to Lakewood Ranch from the Right to Dream Academy system, a leading talent development program.

“I chose this club because I want to grow as a player, especially at a place that focuses so much on developing young talent like myself,” he said at the time.

Walfridson said developing young talent and engaging local youth is a huge part of what the club is building.

“We want Sarasota Paradise to be a club that kids in this community feel connected to and proud of, whether that’s through walking out with players, attending matches, or participating in our programs,” he said.

So, the club is invested in developing a youth academy, with nine teams from Under 10 to Under 18, that will launch in the fall and provide professional development for the region’s top young talent.

“We’re recruiting players now,” Walfridson said.

According to Elovaara, the academy will emphasize the club’s core values of inspiration, discipline, transparency, accountability, and growth.

“I am excited to build a pathway for the local players, helping them in the pursuit of their dreams with our club leadership and staff,” he said.

That pathway could arrive at a pivotal moment for the sport in the United States.

Walfridson believes the momentum surrounding the 2026 World Cup will further accelerate interest in soccer at every level.

“The momentum around the World Cup is a massive opportunity for us and for the sport in the United States,” he said. “Increased interest in the world’s most popular sport is the reason we’ve been able to turn pro, and we fully expect that to continue building. Our role is to give people a local club they can connect with, and where they can experience that unique excitement week in, week out. If we do that well, the World Cup is a catalyst for long-term growth, just like it was when the U.S. hosted in 1994.”

For fans in Lakewood Ranch, that global moment already feels local—a midweek match, a crowd under the lights, and a team building something beyond 90 minutes.

And in those moments—the horns, the goals, the kids chasing balls behind the stands—the club’s identity comes into focus: “We are Paradise.”

Walfridson said, “Who wouldn’t want to spend time in Paradise? It’s our way of saying we want this to feel like the most fun, welcoming, and exciting place to watch soccer in Florida. It’s the players, the fans enjoying a craft beer in the sunshine, the kids blasting the horns, everyone. If you’ve been to a game, you’re one of us.”

About Sarasota Paradise

Sarasota Paradise is a professional soccer club competing in USL League One, playing its home games at Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch, a 3,000-plus seat stadium.

Founded by Swedish entrepreneur Marcus Walfridson, the club transitioned to the professional ranks in 2026.

For more information on tickets and the inaugural professional season, visit sarasotaparadise.us.