Sarasota Paradise learn some professional lessons

The transition from amateur to professional soccer wasn't likely to be a smooth for the Sarasota Paradise. Certaily there was a higher likelihood of early failure than immediate success.

Mika Elovaara, the head coach for the Paradise, understood that when he was hired to lead the Lakewood Ranch-based club. He’s been with USL League One since its founding in 2019.

Other clubs have come and gone in seasons past, and Elovaara has seen many of them struggle with the learning curve that comes with being a first-time professional organization.

“It’d be foolish to think there isn’t one,” Elovaara said of the learning curve. “I know this is a league where anybody can beat anybody on any given day.”

His players have quickly learned that the hard way.

The Paradise, which play home games at Premier Sports Campus, are 2-4-1 as of April 24 in their inaugural season of USL League One play. Their 2-1 victory over winless Corpus Christi FC on April 22 snapped a three-game losing streak.

FC Naples, Westchester SC and One Knoxville SC constituted their worst stretch of the season so far. Against those three foes, the Paradise scored one goal combined and surrendered six.

Photo by Jack Nelson

Putting the ball in the net has been a struggle. They’ve averaged just 0.8 goals per game. It’s not for a lack of opportunities, though, since their 91 shots are third-most in the league behind One Knoxville SC’s 105 and AV Alta FC’s 98.

Midfielder Sander Røed, who was sidelined with an injury for a month before returning April 22, watched those offensive struggles from the bench.

“We had some chances in each game, but it’s like, ‘Are we clinical enough to put them away?’” Røed said. “It’s been unfortunate where we have been conceding the first goal and have to try to chase."

His absence no doubt hindered the Paradise’s ability to produce offense. The 25-year-old Norwegian is tied with forward Jonathan Bolanos for a team-high two goals this season — one of which was the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Corpus Christi FC.

Røed’s two assists lead the squad, and despite missing a month, his eight shots are fourth-most behind Bolanos’ 18, forward Garrett McLaughlin’s 17 and midfielder Maximus Tainio’s nine.

Naturally, Elovaara sought to set a winning standard when he made the move to Lakewood Ranch. But he was tasked with building a roster from the best young talents he could find in a mere matter of months. 

It was a tall order for this team to pile on wins from the get-go. The record books dictate that, too.

Photo by Jack Nelson

Clubs playing their first seasons in USL League One have historically posted mixed results, and by no means is there a positive trend among them.

FC Naples, Portland Hearts of Pine, AV Alta FC and Westchester SC were all newcomers in 2025 and combined for a 37-42-41 record. The best finish came from FC Naples, which ended up in fourth place and reached the playoffs.

Spokane Velocity FC, One Knoxville SC and Charlotte Independence arrived to the league in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. None of them posted a winning record or finished higher than sixth place in those seasons.

The Paradise are ninth in the 17-team league, as of April 24. They’re just below the eighth and final playoff spot and trail the leaders — FC Naples and One Knoxville SC — by seven points.

“It’s a goal-scoring game, as they say,” Elovaara said. “Every time we’ve lost a game, their goal has been preceded by a really good chance by us. If you don’t take your chances, most of the time, the opponent will.”

If there’s a time for this team to turn the corner, now seems like it.

With head assistant Trevor Sinclair and defender Amadeus Sögaard now in the fold, April 22 was the first time this season the Paradise had their full staff and entire roster at their disposal, per Elovaara. Having Røed back is a major boost.

Signs of success are evident defensively. The squad still hasn’t allowed more than two goals to any opponent, while goalkeeper Alexander Sutton’s 20 saves are tied for third-most in the league.

“As a defender, your first priority is always not to concede,” Sögaard said. “What I can bring to the team is that hunger and that urgency to not do that and to really protect the goal — whatever it costs.”

Photo by Jack Nelson

Depth continues to be a point of pride for the Paradise. Sixteen different players have taken shots, as of April 24. Elovaara has been intentional about that.

He lauded Jordan Bender following the team’s victory over Corpus Christi FC.

The 24-year-old defender didn’t travel with the team for its previous contest April 11 at Naples FC. He played eight minutes April 22, by the coach’s estimate.

But Elovaara saw how Bender used fresh legs to sustain pressure on their opponent down the stretch, helping the Paradise keep their one-goal lead.

“Iron sharpens iron,” Røed said. “That shows the quality around the whole team. I don’t even know the best starting 11 we have, because we have been trying a lot.”