In a major development for soccer in Southwest Florida, the United Soccer League (USL) and Sarasota Paradise have announced that professional soccer is coming to Sarasota. Led by CEO and sporting director Marcus Walfridson, the club will transition from USL League Two to USL League One, becoming Sarasota’s first professional soccer team and the only independent professional sports organization in the city.
The Sarasota Paradise embodies the passion and ambition we value in USL communities, said Justin Papadakis, USL deputy-CEO and chief real estate officer. “This move to the professional ranks isn’t just about elevating the club—it’s about strengthening soccer’s presence in an area with a deep appreciation for arts, entertainment, and sports.”
A longtime advocate for soccer, Walfridson, a devoted entrepreneur from Sweden, fell in love with Sarasota and recognized a community need for a professional sports team that could unite residents. “A sustainable club needs genuine support, and genuine support comes from a shared story—one with ups, downs, surprises, and growth,” Walfridson explained. “Building Sarasota Paradise one season at a time with our fans and our community has prepared us for this next exciting step.”
Since its launch in 2023 as a pre-professional team, Sarasota Paradise has already garnered accolades including being named New Organization of the Year by the USL, producing the first player drafted into the MLS, and winning its division en route to playoff appearances in Asheville, North Carolina.
The club’s future home will be the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch, a state-of-the-art facility featuring 23 FIFA regulation fields and a stadium with over 3,000 seats, all maintained with Celebration-seeded Bermuda grass to minimize player injuries. The campus is set to become a vibrant hub for sports, hosting the upcoming 2025 League Two season beginning in mid-May and running through July, with an eye toward promoting talent for the professional League One roster in 2026.
In addition, on Saturday, February 22 at 5 p.m., Sarasota Paradise will open its team store at Premier Sports Campus. The event, held at the stadium entrance near the concessions area, will feature activities and opportunities for fans to meet staff and get an up-close look at the team.
Commissioner Dr. Bob McCann of the Manatee County Board of Commissioners lauded the move: “As a proud representative of our community, I am delighted that the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch has been named the new home field for Sarasota Paradise. This development highlights the top-tier quality of our local facilities and reinforces our commitment to fostering growth and excellence in sports.”
With the move to USL League One and robust community backing, Sarasota Paradise is set to usher in a new era of professional soccer in Sarasota, enriching the region’s sporting landscape and uniting fans under a shared passion for the beautiful game.