Media members discussed which teams will either be most improved or this year's sleeper in 2016

Photo credit: Matt May/Tampa Bay Rowdies

The NASL is getting set for an exciting year in 2016 with new teams, new players, and more intriguing storylines. NASL.com polled media members on several topics. The second media roundtable consists of the most improved teams and “sleeper” teams in 2016.

Most Improved Team

Jake Nutting, Unused Substitutes and Empire of Soccer

The moves done by the Carolina RailHawks this offseason may not have been the splashiest, but their value cannot be easily diminished. After finishing tied for most goals allowed in the NASL last year (49), Carolina managed to pluck Drew Beckie from the league-leading Ottawa back line and, in addition to that, the pickup of Simon Mensing and Paul Black from what was a consistently stout Atlanta Silverbacks defense also marks significant improvement.

Wes Burdine, Northern Pitch

Minnesota, absolutely. Lance Laing, Stefano Pinho, Ben Speas, Danny Cruz, Bernardo Añor, am I missing someone? If they don't score five goals a match, I'll be disappointed. (Now, can they keep five goals from their own net is the question.)

Franco Sui Yuan, Telemundo OK

Without counting the expansion teams, I think the Tampa Bay Rowdies. They had significant signings and they should be a fun team to watch.

Dave Martinez, Empire of Soccer

With new leadership in the front office and the touchline, Jacksonville has gone back to basics, establishing a professional club environment and picking up key contributors that will assist the team in its dramatic offseason facelift. Tony Meola has been at the head of this transformation. While the team shed 16 players this offseason, they have brought in key talents like Richie Ryan, Pekka Lagerblom, Bryan Burke, Tyler Ruthven, Junior Sandoval, and Matt Fondy to solidify their spine. They have also re-signed Mechack Jérôme who will be a key contributor.

Greg Rakestraw, 1070 The Fan’s Soccer Saturday

I think the Eleven would be in that mix, but Tampa Bay looks to be significantly improved, and I'm not sure how much better Minnesota can get from the last two years, but you add Laing and Pinho into the mix, and they're loaded. I think Carolina had a quietly good offseason, too, although they loaded up on a lot of league vets a year ago and it really didn't pay off for them.

Jose Armando, Deporte Total USA

The Tampa Bay Rowdies with the additions of Frankie Sanfilippo, Walter Ramírez, Tom Heinemann, and Junior Burgos have managed to strengthen the squad in every way possible.

Clayton Freeman, Florida-Times Union

Looks like a toss-up between Minnesota and Jacksonville. Of course, Minnesota has brought in two seriously dynamic players in Lance Laing and Stefano Pinho, which alone makes the club a strong championship contender. But the additional acquisitions of Danny Cruz and Bernardo Añor gives United even more weaponry to go with Christian Ramirez, who was on fire through much of the 2015 Fall Season. For the Armada, meanwhile, there's nowhere to go but up after last year's 11th-place campaign. Former Best XI midfielder Richie Ryan and a slew of signings from the USL ranks, including defenders Beto Navarro and Bryan Burke and striker Matt Fondy, should help solidify the squad and drive the Armada in the right direction. Of all the clubs in the NASL, Jacksonville is a good pick to climb the most places in the standings compared to 2015.

Neil Morris, WRALSportsFan

In regard to player personnel, I like the numerous player improvements made by the Carolina RailHawks, especially on the defensive end of the field. Meanwhile, the RailHawks only lost one key contributor from last year, Nacho Novo, unlike key player losses suffered by most teams in the league.

Sleeper Team

Théo Gauthier, Total NASL

I think most people are looking with amazed curiosity at Rayo OKC. Their franchise announcement seemed to come out of nowhere, they only had five months to put a team together (and even then left it late), proceeded to sign an impressive group of known international and domestic players, and we're left wondering: “What if?” They're my sleeper pick, because the only ingredient that's a question mark is chemistry.

Steven Sandor, Plastic Pitch and The11.ca

I’ll be an unabashed homer here and take the Eddies. Coach Colin Miller said this has been the team’s best offseason in terms of signing. Having a more balanced schedule means that the team won’t start off the season on the three-week road trip, either. Nik Ledgerwood will add a lot as the holding midfielder and the Brazilian, Gustavo, is the real wild card here. If El Salvador international Dustin Corea builds off a promising debut NASL season, the Eddies could raise some eyebrows.

Ryan Tomich, SBI Soccer

Even though they just narrowly missed out on the postseason last year, I think the Tampa Bay Rowdies are a somewhat under the radar pick to have a solid run. I'm really looking forward to seeing how Freddy Adu performs in his first full season, while I also believe the Tom Heinemann signing will prove to be one of the more important moves of the offseason. With as much talent as there is at the top, it's hard to see a true repeat of Ottawa Fury FC's ridiculous run last season, but the split-season format ensures anything is possible.

Kartik Krishnaiyer, World Soccer Talk

It would have to be either Carolina or Indy Eleven. Both made impressive offseason moves which might have been less than flashy but will ultimately lead to success.

Ian Pierno, News & Observer

Going to have to go with Rayo OKC if their back line can get the job done. With former USMNT player Robbie Findley, NASL household name Billy Forbes and of course Greek international Georgios Samaras up top, this team has a very potent offense on paper. Also a fan of the Derek Boateng signing. Maybe not a playoff team, but if they can avoid a slow start, I see no reason why Rayo OKC can’t finish in the top half of the league.

Bob Williams, Telegraph

In double-quick time, the expansion side Rayo OKC have built a roster - and coaching staff - packed with NASL experience and in Georgios Samaras have a striker who could be their X Factor. The Greece international has not played competitively since last summer and has had back problems, but he is still only 31 and if he can return to form and fitness he can run riot against NASL defenses.

Pedro Heizer, 90 Minutes Strong and Boca Tribune

Miami FC.

Andrew Thompson, The Game Beckons

My "sleeper pick" goes to Indy Eleven since I think they have the potential to win the Fall Season. Much like the Ottawa Fury FC's run last season, I think it's going to take a little time for all of the Eleven's roster changes to come together properly, but there are a lot of pieces there that could help provide them better, and more consistent, results than they've had in their first two seasons.

James Cormack, Bloody Shambles

High profile ownership and coach and a good roster so far, I think Miami FC is going to surprise a lot of teams.

Stuart Webber, Action News JAX

Years past have proven the difficulty first-year teams can have in the league and we saw it first hand in Jacksonville in 2015. All that said I don’t know if I consider Rayo OKC a first-year team. They have an experienced NASL coach and a roster full of league veterans. I think that sets them up for surprise success in Year 1.

Previous editions:

League/Club Storylines, Most Impactful New Player