Goalkeeper: San Antonio appears set to go with Matt Cardone as its No. 1 for the new season after he deputized regularly for Josh Ford in the club’s inaugural season. Cardone became noted within the league for his proficiency when facing penalty kicks, but he will want to improve a .696 save percentage and 1.69 goals-against average this season as he enters his third professional season.

Defense: Cardone should get some help in improving those numbers thanks to a back line that has seen some major additions this offseason. Returning center back Stephen McCarthy is joined by former OKC Energy FC player Cyprian Hedrick and Sebastien Ibeagha, who brings experience from MLS and overseas. Ben Newnam, formerly with Louisville, and the returning Greg Cochrane offer solid options at fullback.

Midfield: San Antonio’s midfield was its strongest area in 2016, but the club still made significant additions that should further improve the group around the returning Rafael Castillo (5G, 2A) and Michael Reed (3G, 1A). Billy Forbes and Kris Tyrpak are both well familiar to San Antonio fans, with Tyrpak coming off a trip to the USL Cup Final with the Swope Park Rangers, while local product Devin Vega could be a player to watch as he arrives from the FC Dallas Academy.

Forward: Cesar Elizondo and Shawn Chin both return to the front line for SAFC, after Elizondo made a good return to the side late in the season with two goals and one assist in nine games. Chin notched three goals and one assist in 17 games while missing a good portion of the season because of injury. The duo is joined by former Orange County forward AJ Ajeakwa, who had a goal and two assists last year, and veteran forward Aly Hassanm, who found the net for the Charlotte Independence in last season's USL Cup Playoffs. Both could be looked at to replace Jason Johnson, who headed to Phoenix Rising FC this offseason.