During a city commission meeting earlier this week, the City of Sarasota and city commissioners officially declared August 19 as Sarasota Paradise Day in recognition of the team’s excellence and achievements this past season. Under the leadership of Marcus Walfridson and head coach Mirko Dakovic, Sarasota Paradise, a USL League Two team based in Sarasota, went undefeated in their last 11 games of the 2024 season, including significant wins against Miami, Tampa and St. Petersburg. For the first time in the team’s history, Sarasota Paradise was also named division champions and attended playoffs in Asheville, North Carolina, a remarkable accomplishment for the team, organization and the City of Sarasota. Launched in 2023, Sarasota Paradise is a men’s pre-professional soccer team that 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. 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.