The Scorpions begin preparations for their fourth NASL season with the start of training camp Monday.

More Information In and out A look at the key additions and losses for the Scorpions heading into training camp, which begins Monday: Additions D Eduar Zea G Daryl Satler Departures M Walter Restrepo - signed with New York Cosmos D Greg Janicki - signed with Indianapolis D Jonathan Borrajo - traded to Fort Lauderdale G Josh Saunders - returned to NYCFC (MLS)

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And for the third straight year, they’ll do so having lost the services of perhaps their best offensive player during the offseason.

In 2013, it was league scoring champion and MVP Pablo Campos. In 2014, it was fan favorite Hans Denissen. This season, it’s speedy winger Walter Restrepo, poached by New York after the Scorpions rehabilitated him back into an All-NASL performer and a key cog in their run to last year’s championship.

Despite his departure and that of three other starters, including goalkeeper Josh Saunders and defender Greg Janicki, the lone linchpin from their inaugural season, team president Howard Cornfield said he fully expects the Scorpions to contend once again.

“We enter this year (with) a big target on our back,” Cornfield said. “Last year we were able to … sneak up on people. It makes things more difficult. But that’s what being a champion is all about.”

Restrepo’s departure could disrupt what proved to be a winning formula for the Scorpions, with he and fellow midfielder Billy Forbes tormenting teams with their speed on the flanks while veteran Rafael Castillo, the MVP of last year’s Soccer Bowl, anchored the middle of the field.

Having proven his ability to dig up talent time and time again, Scorpions manager Alen Marcina believes he’s found an adequate replacement for Restrepo with a talented young prospect whose season-long loan from one of South America’s top clubs has yet to be finalized with the league office. (Per NASL rules, such agreements cannot be announced until the paperwork clears, which was not the case as of Saturday afternoon.)

“I don’t want to compare the two, but there are a lot of similarities,” Marcina said. “He’s very, very quick and extremely technical. Excellent at taking players on. He’s a game-changer, and we know he’s going to be a fan favorite.”

With veterans Richie Menjivar and Josue Soto also returning, Marcina said he’s comfortable at midfield while intending to add several more bodies in the preseason.

He also expressed satisfaction with his striker core, which will once again be manned by committee, primarily consisting of Tomasz Zahorski — who is coming off a hugely disappointing season — oft-injured but productive veteran Eric Hassli and solid spot starter Cesar Elizondo.

Marcina said the team has been in contact with Denissen, who was recently released by New York and remains highly regarded in San Antonio, but currently has no international roster spots.

The bigger question marks are the back line and goalkeeper.

Central defender Julius James and left back Stephen DeRoux return, but the departures of Janicki and Borrajo leave big holes in a unit that set the NASL record for fewest goals allowed in a season.

Colombian Eduar Zea has been signed to play in the middle, and captain Adrian Cann could return depending on his recovery from the knee injury he suffered in the semifinals. Marcina said the remaining slots will be monitored during the preseason with the hopes of rebuilding the defensive depth that was such a key last season.

Saunders always was leaving to resume his career in MLS this season with expansion side New York City FC. He’ll be replaced by Daryl Sattler, who hasn’t played regularly since his All-NASL season with the Scorpions during their inaugural campaign in 2012.

“We feel very good with Daryl,” Marcina said. “He was a big part of our regular-season championship in 2012. Josh was fantastic, but we feel very, very good with Daryl.”

dmccarney@express-news.net