Ottawa Fury FC named its first-ever captain on Monday, the last significant detail put in place before the expansion club kicks off its inaugural North American Soccer League season on Saturday.

Richie Ryan, the 29-year-old midfielder from Clonmel, Ireland, will wear the captain's armband this season, with fellow midfielder Nicki Paterson and defender Omar Jarun named alternates.

Each player submitted a list of three captain choices to the coaching staff on Friday, with head coach Marc Dos Santos making the final decision.

As individuals and as a trio, the leadership choices make sense. Not only are Ryan and Paterson, both 29, and Jarun, 30, three of the oldest guys on the squad, they each bring a ton of professional soccer and previous leadership experience to the pitch.

While some had Paterson slotted as the likely choice, you can't dispute what Ryan brings to the table. He spent three successful seasons with the Sligo Rovers and in 2010 was named PFAI Player of the year, while also being selected as the team's captain before leading his squad to its second straight FAI Cup.

Ryan said it was good to know his teammates felt he has the quality to lead them.

"It felt great obviously, I'm very honoured and proud," he said from Florida Monday afternoon.

While the somewhat soft-spoken Ryan may not be the loudest guy on the pitch, he's got great knowledge of the game and has the ability to calm things down from his spot in the middle.

He doesn't plan to make changes to how he conducts himself on and off the field.

"I'll keep doing what I've been doing for the last six weeks and hopefully I'll lead by example," Ryan said.

Dos Santos said Ryan is a player the young guys will look up to.

"He has all the qualities that we were looking for in a captain," said the coach. "This decision reflects what players felt good with and we're excited to have Richie as our captain. He is a leader by example -- in everything he does. He's very positive on the field and in the locker room and plays in a certain area of the pitch that can connect the team all the time."

Jarun, meanwhile, will be an anchor of the team's backfield, a towering defender who plays the game with an edge. He believes a number of factors played a role in being singled out as an alternate.

"I think it was just the way I conduct myself every day, just work hard and be professional, be the first guy in and last guy out," Jarun said.

Paterson has repeatedly stated he wouldn't change his game or attitude whether he was named captain or not. Already a vocal leader on the pitch and a quality character off it, Paterson will be someone younger players look up to.

A WINNING NOTE

Dos Santos had an important message for his club as the Fury kicked off its last week of training before the season begins.

"We might be an expansion team, but we're not expansion players," he told the squad.

That's indicative both of Dos Santos' expectations of his players this year, that he won't settle for mediocrity or any first-year team excuses, and how impressed he has been with the team's improving chemistry in training and exhibition matches.

That was on display Saturday as the Fury wrapped up an undefeated pre-season by downing Floridians FC 2-1 in Florida on the strength of an early goal by Carl Haworth and a late winner by Vini Dantas.

The Fury wrapped its preseason with a 3-0-2 record while outscoring opponents 11-5.

"This was a heavy week for us and I am very pleased with our performance (SaturdaY) against a very competitive opponent," said Dos Santos. "We create a lot of chances and opportunities and every substitution we made brought something to our team."

Haworth opened the scoring after intercepting a bad pass by the Floridians and going in on a breakaway. Dantas scored late to seal off a cross from Hamza Elias. Both have had excellent showings in their first two friendlies with the Fury. GK Devala Gorrick made a few big saves in securing the win.

Striker Tom Heinemann left Saturday's match with an injury and didn't train Monday but the team said that, as of now, there's no concern he won't be ready to go by the end of the week.

SIDELINES

The Sun will join the Fury in Fort Lauderdale later this week and will bring you the latest updates from the last day of training and the season-opening match against the Strikers ... In addition to being named captain and alternate, respectively, Ryan and Paterson are also neighbours at their new digs in Gatineau ... It was just slightly below 30C in Florida at kick-off time between the Floridians and Fury on Saturday ... "After starting the final game of the preseason, it seems likely Gorrick will get the nod in the season opener.

chris.hofley@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @chrishofley