- March 11, 2026
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Dark clouds and thunder and lightning descended upon the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, but this certainly wasn't special effects planned for the Sarasota Paradise's debut as a professional soccer team.
That debut, with a stadium full of fans who had come to celebrate with the team, was pushed back by the dangerous weather — lightning strikes were hitting nearby. Game time was moved from 7:30 p.m. to 9:10 p.m.
The Paradise, who announced their move to professional soccer Feb. 19, 2025, had to wait just a bit longer.
"I would step outside of the locker room and I would see people lining up to get through the gates," said Paradise Coach Mika Elovaara. "That doesn't happen everywhere. They waited through the lightning delay with us, and our guys felt that."
When the gates to the stadium eventually opened, people trickled in, finding their seats in the rain-soaked stands.
Clad in rain jackets and umbrellas, they stuck it out to witness Paradise history.
AC Boise, which also was playing its season opener, eventually prevailed 1-0 in the USL League One game. It was the first match for the Paradise after three seasons of amateur play in USL League Two.
Their debut drew a club-record attendance of 2,791.
"It was unfortunate not to get a goal, but with the amount of chances we created, really playing on the front foot and attacking, I think the fans saw that (that team has talent)," said forward Jonathan Bolanos. "We were just unlucky in the end."
A scoreless stalemate developed and lasted until midway though the second half. Neither team could break through as both goalkeepers held their own.
Boise dictated possession early, including a scoring chance by forward Blake Bodily with his cross into the box in the fifth minute. Sarasota couldn't penetrate the visitors' back line until midfielder Ethan Bryant found himself with a corner kick.
The Paradise scored off it — at least, that's what appeared to happen. Midfielder Jørgen Pettersen headed Bryant's boot into the net in the 33rd minute, but the play was ruled offside.
Their would-be lead was no lead at all, resulting in a 0-0 tie entering halftime.
"It took us some time to figure it out, but that's just the reality of this league," Pettersen said. "You have to analyze the game, how it goes in the first 10-15 minutes and you just have to adapt to that."
Midfielder Denys Kostyshyn of AC Boise was the only player to score, and that came in the 75th minute. He scored off a pass that found him in front of the Paradise net.
Sarasota had opportunities to answer back. There were multiple scoring chances in the final minutes, and on the night, the Paradise outshot Boise, 13-10.
The closest chance for the Paradise was a header from forward Garrett McLaughlin, who sent the ball above goalkeeper Joseph Andema's reach, but just above the crossbar.
"The first half was very even. Second half, we were more in control," Elovaara said. "We created more chances than them and we didn't really allow much."
Bu those chances didn't translate into a win. The Paradise try again for win No. 1 March 14, when Fort Wayne FC comes to town.
That's the next step of a four-game homestand, which also features Portland Hearts of Pine on March 28 and One Knox SC on April 4. All contests are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Premier Sports Campus Stadium.
The opener, though, was a frustrating day for Elovaara, who had waited nearly five months for the day since his hiring Oct. 8, 2025. The weather-muddled occasion was his first opportunity to evaluate the on-field product he's been busy assembling.
"We truly have a team (where) it's really hard for me to keep guys off the field," Elovaara said. "And I hope that they continue to do that. I have told them, 'Make my life miserable. Make me lose the little bit of hair that I have left.' They are very deep."
After the final whistle, defender Declan Watters — co-captain alongside midfielder Aaron Walker — beckoned his teammates to show love to the crowd. Some fans had stayed past 11 p.m. to watch them compete.
The Paradise players walked toward the stands bordering each side of the field and raised their hands in applause. They also gave autographs and took photos behind their bench and on their way to the locker room.
Albeit delayed, they got their long-awaited debut.
"We're playing for them. We're playing to represent the community," Bolanos said of the fans. "(We want) to show them that this is home."
