Can Ottawa Fury FC go from an eighth-place expansion team to a playoff contender in its sophomore season?

On paper, they should be right in the thick of the battle for one of four in the North American Soccer League (NASL) post-season.

"When I look at the league, I think there's two clubs that have detached themselves from the pack (and that's) Tampa Bay and the New York Cosmos," Fury coach Marc Dos Santos told the Sun Thursday. "Apart from those two, everyone (is close together)."

"We're in the group that's going to fight to make the playoffs. On paper, this is a playoff team."

There's no question Fury has significantly upgraded its roster in the off-season, with seven of the 21 signed players new to the club.

With players set to report Monday for medicals and pre-training camp fitness testing, here's how Fury FC is shaping up with the regular season opener just a couple months away.

Goalkeepers

Fury brought in French keeper Romuald Peiser midway through last season and he quickly established himself as the club's undisputed starter. Ottawa parted way with Devala Gorrick in the off-season and Ottawa native Chad Bush moved on, meaning the 35-year-old Peiser will be pushed for playing time by 23-year-old Toronto native Marcel DeBellis, whom the club believes has a bright future.

"When I analyze the league, I think that we do have the best goalkeeper," Dos Santos said, pointing out Peiser's vocal presence in the box and his constant desire to get better as his best qualities. "When we don't win a game, he's one hour in my office looking at the video of the game with me."

As for DeBellis, Dos Santos said: "We have very high hopes for him, hopefully he'll do well."

The club is also bringing Ottawa native Waleed Cassis into camp as its third keeper.

Defence

The team's back line will see the most competition of any position this season for Fury.

But unlike last year, which saw a constantly shifting back four because of injuries and poor play, Fury has depth in each defensive role this time. Ryan Richter should enter camp holding down the starting spot at right back, though centre back Drew Beckie is also comfortable on the right, as is Phil Davies. At centre back, it will be a battle between Mason Trafford, who started and played every minute in all but one game last season, Beckie and new signings Rafael Alves and Colin Falvey and returning veteran Omar Jarun. Defender Mike Randolph, one of Fury's biggest acquisitions this winter, should slot in as the starting left back, though he too can play in the middle, while Trafford and midfielder Brandon Poltronieri can also play on the left.

"We wanted (the competition)," Dos Santos said of the back line. "We weren't happy with last year, it lacked leadership.

Bringing in Randolph was big with the mid-season departure of Brazilian defender Maykon and the decision not to bring back Ramon Soria.

"We never had a real left back so we dealt with that situation," said Dos Santos.

Midfield

This was the team's most consistent area of the pitch in 2014, led by captain Richie Ryan in the middle. Sinisa Ubiparipovic returns while Nicki Paterson will have the chance to earn the third starting spot after an injury-plagued 2014 season that saw him lose his spot to the now-departed Tony Donatelli.

Dos Santos wants to see more fight from Paterson to get playing time, which he said was lacking when the Scottish midfielder was healthy last year, but said he knows what Paterson can do.

"He doesn't have anything to prove to me but probably to himself and the fans maybe," Dos Santos said. "I expect better from last year."

Looking to make the midfield more dynamic and faster, Dos Santos brought in Canadian Patryk Misik while Mauro Eustaquio will look to take the next step after impressing in relief of Ryan on a few occasions last season.

Forwards

Striker Tommy Heinemann with battle for minutes with the recently signed Andrew Wiedeman. Both have MLS experience but play different games, which will give Fury options up top depending on the opponent or how a given game is going.

Dos Santos said Tuesday he's never seen Heinemann as fit as he is coming into camp this year.

"He missed pretty much a third of the season (last year) and still scored six goals," said the coach. "Tommy is hopefully going to be better than last year."

Dos Santos wanted to add a striker who is better "running into channels, putting pressure, a little bit more dynamic and faster."

"That's where Wiedeman came up," Dos Santos said.

Forward and last year's Fury leading scorer Oliver is expected to improve on his first campaign in Ottawa while Carl Haworth will look to build on his first pro season. Newcomer Paulo Junior, whom Dos Santos said is a "completely different" player than Haworth and Oliver, will be one to watch in 2015.

""Fury camp officially opens Feb. 23 and the club opens the 2015 spring season April 4 in Carolina.

Twitter: @chrishofley