Ottawa Fury FC coach Marc Dos Santos is keeping true to his word early in this NASL season that nearly all positions on the pitch in a given game are up for grabs.

That was the case again in Saturday's home-opener as the coach elected to start Brandon Poltronieri at left back in place of former Atlanta Silverbacks captain Mike Randolph.

While Randolph didn't have great games in either Carolina or Atlanta, giving Poltronieri his second-straight start -- and first on the back line -- had more to do with the play of the 29-year-old Costa Rican than Dos Santos being displeased with Randolph.

"It has to do with Brandon deserving it," Dos Santos said following a massive 1-0 win over Minnesota United FC, last year's regular season champions.

Playing against a skilled, pacey team like Minnesota, Dos Santos wisely chose to put the quicker Poltronieri into the mix and it paid off quickly. With Ottawa jumping out to a quick start in the game, Poltronieri fired down the left side and sent a dangerous cross into the box that caught the wind and forced United goalkeeper Sam Ndjock to make an awkward save, sending the ball out and giving Fury their first of four corners in the half.

What the roster move does show is that Dos Santos isn't messing around in his desire to turn the club into a winning side while the interest in soccer is still on the uptick in this city.

After bringing in a slew of new players in the off-season, Saturday wasn't Dos Santos first significant roster move through three games.

After adding centre backs like Rafael Alves and Colin Falvey to bolster a back line Dos Santos felt lacked leadership last year, mainstay defender Mason Trafford, who played nearly every minute for Fury last year, has yet to make an appearance this season, while his regular partner on the back line last year, Drew Beckie, has started just one of three Fury matches.

When midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic and captain Richie Ryan are back in full form after recovering from injuries, those decisions will get even more difficult for Dos Santos. Expect the coach to shuffle some of his line up Wednesday against FC Edmonton, the first leg of the Amway Canadian Championship.

Starts and stops

Fury's first half Saturday may have been the best one the franchise has played in its young history. Against a team considered part of the cream of the NASL's crop, Fury had nine shots on target to Minnesota's zero in the first half ... Fury keeper Romuald Peiser made his first big save of the game for Fury in the 53rd minute, diving to block a shot by United's Daniel Mendes. He wasn't overly busy in this one as Minnesota had just two shots on target. "For me it was a difficult day because I only had one big save to (make)," said the French keeper. That one big save turned out to be huge ... You could sense the collective breath-holding by the Fury faithful late in the first half but especially during second-half stoppage time of a game Ottawa was leading by one. In three meetings with Minnesota last year, Ottawa twice conceded the winner during injury time. Losing or settling for a draw would have been a blow to Ottawa in this one, considering how well Fury played ... Late in the game with Ottawa up 1-0 and trying to close it out, defender Ryan Richter, before taking a free kick, waved his arms at the supporters in section W to wind them up more than they already were. It seemed to do the trick. "They were loud all game and I wanted to see if they could get louder than that and they did. It was great, it kept us going." ... Sticking with Richter, the former Toronto FC right back turned in one of his best games in Fury colours and definitely his best in three games this season. He gave credit to one teammate in particular for some of that success. "Every game me and (forward) Carl (Haworth) play together I feel more and more comfortable when I can go (up the pitch). We understand each others games more and more."

In closing

A very welcome site took to the pitch with about 15 minutes left Saturday as captain Richie Ryan officially returned from injury in a tight game. The Irishman said he felt good, though he pointed out he should feel good after he "only played 15 minutes." Not one to get too excited, Ryan wasn't buying into the storybook ending of this one: three points in the first game at home against one of the league's best. "It's three points," he said. "That's all it is for us and that's all it should be. It's a win at home which is obviously massive to get us on the board ... but that's all it is." ... This one wasn't all friendly. There were a combined 22 fouls and Minnesota coach Manny Lagos was losing his mind on the touchline late in the game over what he saw as Ottawa delay tactics ... It can't be said too often: the officiating in the NASL needs a lot of work. Both teams had obvious handballs in their opponent's penalty box go uncalled. That can't happen.

chris.hofley@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @chrishofley