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The training centre under the south stand at TD Place was filled Monday as the new-look Ottawa Fury FC launched its second North American Soccer League season.

Seven newcomers had flown or driven into town to join the 14 men retained from last year.

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On paper this shapes up as a far stronger squad than the one that ended its inaugural season in a disappointing eighth place of the 10 NASL teams. But what appears on paper does not necessarily translate into victories.

“Teams are the combination of profile, character and personality they show on the field every day,” said coach Marc Dos Santos.

Certainly the fight for a starting role will be tougher.

“I told none of the new players they are going to start,” said Dos Santos. “I did say we believe in you. This is our project and we believe you can play this role in our team. But after that it’s a fight.

“And there is nothing to take for granted for the players who are still here from last year. They all have to fight every day. It is the type of competition I always wanted to bring here. We didn’t have enough of it last year.”

In goal, the situation is clear-cut: Romuald Peiser, who arrived last summer from the Portuguese premier league, took a large pay cut to come to Ottawa. He will start, backed up by Marcel De Bellis, a player goalkeeping coach Bruce Grobbelaar rates a quality prospect.

On defence, seven men will chase four places. Three are newcomers:

Experienced NASL left back Mike Randolph captained the Atlanta Silverbacks last season. He is regarded as a tough, physical player.

Aggressiveness is a major part of Colin Falvey’s game. The versatile Irish defender, nicknamed “The Rock” in Charleston where he spent five years, has arrived after a season with Indian Soccer League team Kerala Blasters.