— Come writers and critics, Who prophesize with your pen, And keep your eyes wide, The chance won't come again, And don't speak too soon, For the wheel's still in spin,

And there's no telling who that it's naming, For the loser now will be later to win, Cause the times they are a-changing—Bob Dylan

It’s been an offseason of change around the erstwhile Carolina RailHawks. For starters, they’re now the North Carolina Football Club, an umbrella brand that now also envelopes one of the largest youth soccer organizations in the country after a merger with the Capital Area Soccer League (CASL). Owner Steve Malik applied for an expansion team in Major League Soccer, and he made good on his promise to bring a women’s professional soccer team to the Triangle, acquiring the Western New York Flash, the defending NWSL champions, and retro-branding them the North Carolina Courage. For his part, Malik—a mere 18 months into his tenure as a pro soccer maven—was recently elected onto the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors.

But a winter of off-field evolution ultimately and inevitably turns back to springtime on the pitch. This week, perennial stalwart supporters will trek to the sylvan setting of WakeMed Soccer Park as the North Carolina FC men’s team kicks off its 2017 campaign. North Carolina FC opens its NASL regular season on Saturday when it hosts Miami FC (WRAL2; WRALSportsFan.com; 1550 The Ticket).

There are still the early kinks to work out. Fans continue to debate what unofficial moniker they’ll apply to the née Hawks, and you’ll still see a few RailHawk logos lingering around the soccer park. But while the official badges and kits have changed, the team roster is sharply similar. Fourteen members of the 2016 squad are back for 2017, including team MVP Nazmi Albadawi and leading goalscorer Matt Fondy. Also returning is Colin Clarke for his sixth season as the team’s manager.

While that continuity is a boon for team chemistry, it also includes the core of a club that finished eighth in the 12-team NASL last season, the team’s lowest league finish in eight years. Carolina allowed the most goals in the NASL last year, while averaging the fewest goals scored per game since 2008. Carolina last qualified for postseason play in 2012.

Although the NASL retained its Division II pro league sanctioning from U.S. Soccer, off-season upheaval left the league with only eight teams. The NASL kept its spring-fall split season and four-team postseason formats, so at least North Carolina FC’s odds of making the playoffs are improved this year.

A decision on North Carolina FC’s MLS fate won’t come until the end of the year, if that soon. In the meantime, the last bit of change long-suffering supporters want to see is championship-caliber results on the field.

Goalkeepers

Notable returnee: Brian Sylvestre

Notable addition: Matias Reynares

Notable departure: Akira Fitzgerald

Akira Fitzgerald was a fixture between the pipes over the past five years, until Brian Sylvestre supplanted Fitzgerald as the starting goalkeeper late last season.

Fitzgerald departed the club over the off-season, so Sylvestre will begin his third year in Carolina as its undisputed first-team keeper. Sylvestre spent much of the off-season training with NK Istra 1961 in Croatia. He says the experience sharpened his technique and helped him drop unneeded weight. Judging from his preseason performances, the result is a mammoth, more agile keeper who admits he’s also improved his organizational and reaction skills. The 24-year-old, 6-foot-4 Sylvestre may be on the cusp of becoming a top-flight goalkeeper.

While returnee Macklin Robinson is the backup keeper, 19-year-old Matias Reynares has acquitted himself well in the preseason. Last year, Reynares split time between the Fort Lauderdale Strikers’ NPSL squad and serving as backup keeper for their first team.

Midfielders

Notable returnees: Nazmi Albadawi; Tiyi Shipalane; Austin da Luz; Jonathan Orlando

Notable additions: Lance Laing; Alex Molano; Bolu Akinyode; Marcel Kandziora; Saeed Robinson; Dre Fortune

Notable departures: Matt Watson; Marvin Ceballos

Midfield has long been the mainstay for the RailHawks, and North Carolina FC won’t be any different. The lone departing starter is Matt Watson, the long-time fan favorite who mutually parted ways with the club before signing with Phoenix Rising of USL.

The returning triumvirate of Nazmi Albadawi, Tiyi Shipalane and Austin da Luz anchors the midfield. Albadawi, the team’s captain, was a NASL Best XI selection last season, during which he earned a league-best 10 assists. Albadawi also enjoyed off-season training with NK Istra. Da Luz will begin his fifth full season with Carolina, exceeded on the current roster only by Shipalane, who will be opening his sixth year in Cary.

Joining them is Lance Laing, who signed with North Carolina FC last week. Laing is a three-time NASL Best XI winner from his time with the Strikers and FC Edmonton. The dynamic left-footer, who hails from Jamaica, was arguably the best player in the NASL in 2014 and 2015. Some of his luster wore off last year during a disappointing stint with Minnesota United. If Laing can regain his pre-2016 form, he’ll be a formidable presence and playmaking partner.

Among the several other newcomers, two particularly stood out over the preseason. Alex Molano comes to Carolina following a year with Swope Park Rangers in USL. Molano scored three goals during the preseason and demonstrated his skill as a dead ball specialist. Bolu Akinyode has made a strong case to be the starting defensive midfielder. The 22-year-old Akinyode, who trained in the New York Red Bulls youth system, spent the past two years in USL with Red Bulls II and Bethlehem Steel FC.

Defenders

Notable returnees: Connor Tobin; James Marcelin; Paul Black; Steven Miller; Kareem Moses

Notable additions: Christian Ibeagha

Notable departures: Kupono Low; Simon Mensing; Drew Beckie

This will be the first team in Carolina club history that will open a season without Kupono Low on the roster. Low departed the team early last year, while defenders Simon Mensing and Drew Beckie left over the off-season.

Connor Tobin is back for his fourth season to anchor Carolina’s back line. James Marcelin appeared in line to be Tobin’s center back pairing. However, new arrival Christian Ibeagha proved capable as he saw increasing minutes during preseason scrimmages. Ibeagha, who played for Duke University from 2007-2010, spent last year in USL with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks, where he was teammates with fellow Carolina newcomer Saeed Robinson.

Steven Miller and Paul Black are the starting fullbacks; Miller has looked especially focused during training camp. Recurring health issues bedeviled both players last year—if that continues, Kareem Moses returns to provide depth at either fullback position.

Forwards

Notable returnees: Matt Fondy; Brian Shriver; Billy Schuler

Notable additions: None

Notable departures: Omar Bravo

Gone is Omar Bravo, the Chivas legend and last year’s splash signing (he also landed at Phoenix Rising this year). Carolina did not acquire any new forward over the off-season. Instead, it will rely on returnees Matt Fondy, Brian Shriver and Billy Schuler.

Fondy led the RailHawks in scoring last year after arriving mid-season from the Jacksonville Armada. This will be the first time Fondy has returned for a second year with a club since his limited appearances with Chivas USA in 2013-2014.

Shriver is the leading goalscorer in RailHawks club history. Still, fans are still yearning for him to regain a portion of his 2013 form, when he led the NASL in scoring. Shriver netted six goals last year, second to Fondy.

Schuler, the former UNC Tar Heels All-American, didn’t find the net in 12 league appearances for the RailHawks last year. But Clarke brought him back for a second season, and with only three forwards currently on the roster, Schuler could quickly see minutes.

For more North Carolina FC preseason insight, listen to manager Colin Clarke later this week on the new season of the Inverted Triangle Soccer Podcast.