Expect there to be at least a couple new faces on the Ottawa Fury FC squad come July.

Coming off the club's easily most disappointing loss of the season Saturday against San Antonio, it's clear the first-year club has areas that need some work.

Closing out a game, for example, has been difficult at times, with the Fury now having allowed a game winner in second-half stoppage time twice this season -- the first time in the home opener against Minnesota United and last weekend, when Ottawa gave up a 2-1 80th minute lead and allowed the winner in the 94th minute.

There are plenty of things to like about the team, even if the club's goal of clinching a top-four spot on the NASL table pretty much went up in smoke in light of the most recent loss. Goal scoring, for example, hasn't been an issue despite the loss of striker Tommy Heinemann in the pre-season. Tony Donatelli has been on an offensive tear, while Vini Dantas, Oliver, Philippe Davies and Sinisa Ubiparipovic all chipping in offensively.

It's keeping the ball out of their own net that has become a concern, something head coach Marc Dos Santos says isn't necessarily from a lack of ability.

"I think it's a lack of experience in some cases," the coach said following training at Carleton University Wednesday. "We're a good team, we turned things around against San Antonio, we created opportunities."

But it was after allowing an 83rd minute penalty kick on which San Antonio tied the game that the wheels came off.

"We knew how dangerous they were in set plays," Dos Santos said of the winner, again off a corner kick. "I felt that we lacked experience dealing with that, we were a little bit soft. We have to learn from it."

And while it will certainly be lessons learned from the loss, Dos Santos isn't only going to rely on learning opportunities. He said he'd look to the market during the upcoming transfer window to see what options are available to bolster the squad.

Knowing Dos Santos, he's likely already got a list of names under consideration. For now though, he's not getting into specifics on what needs will be addressed.

"We know where our strengths are but we also know where we have to get better and we're going to sign players in the transfer window to make the team better," he said.

HEINEMANN'S BACK

The big man with the big hair is back in time for a big game.

After suffering a high ankle sprain in the final pre-season game in Florida, Heinemann has returned to full practice and will be an option for Fury FC when the team closes its home spring schedule against FC Edmonton Saturday.

The 6-foot-3 striker left a big hole in the lineup when he went down, and while others have stepped up to score goals in his absence, it's hard to make up for big St. Louis, MO native.

Heinemann has played in the MLS, is a big presence and a quality character, all aspects the team has missed in his absence.

"It's incredible," Heinemann said Wednesday of being back with the squad full-time. "Being out for six, seven, now almost eight weeks, (you're) in the gym, rehab, so it's great to get integrate with the guys again, it puts a smile on my face."

Heinemann, along with Nicki Paterson - who is also close to a return to full training - have had to sit in the press box all year and there's no question it hasn't been easy.

"It's frustrating, but we have a good team and we've taken a couple punches to the chin but we'll bounce back," he said.

Showing the kind of experience the team needs more of, Heinemann said he looks at the time on the injury list as a learning experience.

"You never want to sit out, you ask any of these guys and they never want to sit out, but unfortunately it's part of the game," he said. "So you take it and try to get back as quick as you can and hope that it makes you stronger, and I firmly believe that it does."

Heinemann likekly won't start Saturday but could play at some point in the match.

SIDELINES

With another goal and assist in the loss Saturday, Tony Donatelli was named to the NASL's Team of the Week for the third straight week. His goal Saturday was the first time the Fury have scored on a penalty kick in its young history, in two attempts. He's now tied for the league scoring lead ... Saturday marks the final Fury game at Carleton University. The team closes the spring season on the road June 8 in New York and then moves to the TD Place for the fall season ... Omar Jarun will miss Saturday's match against Edmonton as he will play with the Palestinian National Team in the finals of the AFC Challenge Cup.

chris.hofley@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @chrishofley