Goalkeeper: The Independence return both of their goalkeepers, with Cody Mizell the presumptive starter after splitting time with Colorado Rapids loanee John Berner a season ago. Mizell recorded 10 appearances and logged a 1.00 goals-against average last season, with Berner taking the other 20 starts on loan, while Kyle Renfro has yet to make a league appearance for the club.

Defense: Three members of the Independence’s starting back line from a season ago return, with the club’s minutes leader Bilal Duckett (29GP, 2,577 mins) being rejoined by Henry Kalungi (27GP, 2,279 mins) and Joel Johnson (25GP, 2,097 mins) after the Independence conceded 29 goals in 30 regular-season contests a season ago. The club currently has three candidates to fill the space left by Patrick Slogic’s departure, with Austin Yearwood having made three appearances a season ago and rookies Luke Waechter and Jared Odenberk both bringing solid resumes from college and the PDL.

Midfield: The Independence’s midfield was key to the club’s playoff berth, with Enzo Martinez’s nine goals and five assists tying for first on the team in both categories. Add in the return of Jun Marques Davidson and David Estrada, both of whom logged more than 2,000 minutes of action, and the potential for a breakthrough by Lewis Hilton – who recorded three goals and four assists in only 1,186 minutes of action – and the potential for the Independence to remain just as strong this year is clearly present.

Forward: The Independence will need to find a replacement for Jamaican forward Brian Brown, who matched Enzo Martinez’s goal and assist marks last season before signing with USL expansion side Reno 1868 FC this offseason. Veteran Jorge Herrera was an option off the bench last year – the Colombian appeared in every game, and recorded seven goals and two assists in 1,109 minutes – and while he might be listed as a midfielder Head Coach Mike Jeffries has been experimenting with using Yann Ekra in an advanced role. Figuring out this conundrum is likely the biggest question for the Independence’s preseason.