The spring North American Soccer League Season is a short one, especially for an expansion club looking to make its mark on the league.

Though nine matches isn't a big sample size to rate a team that's only played together since March, Fury FC was able grow significantly in a short period of time.

Ottawa failed to crack the top five on the NASL table Sunday, dropping a 1-0 decision to the New York Cosmos to close out the spring campaign. Still, the three wins and a draw they earned have to be considered something good to build from in July in beyond.

It's hard not to wonder where Ottawa would sit entering the World Cup break had it not been for a couple disappointing, last-minute losses that could both be chalked up to growing pains.

Here's a breakdown of how Fury FC fared in its first spring season in the NASL.

Goalkeepers

The focus will be, and should be, on Devala Gorrick. The American keeper played every minute of the season in goal for Ottawa. Gorrick is vocal during matches and has responded to losses with stronger outings the following games. His experience, work ethic and solid play has given the coaching staff no reason to change things up. But while Gorrick's play has impressed, so to have the attitudes of fellow keepers Marcel DeBellis and Chad Bush. While Bush, who just turned 20, likely had no illusions of much playing time in his first year, DeBellis must have figured he'd get some playing time. He didn't, but it hasn't seemed to have changed his attitude. He trains hard, is hard on himself and will get his shot in goal at some point. Until then, it's Gorrick's ball to run with with.

Defenders

Perhaps the area where there has been the most shuffling and most talk about the need for improvement. Drew Beckie, who moved between centre back and right back, and centre back Mason Trafford, were workhorses for Ottawa in the spring, playing every minute and helping Fury FC secure three clean sheets (two wins, one scoreless draw) along the way. Omar Jarun has played well at centre back, also scoring a late-game goal when he was moved up to a striker role. Jarun missed two matches while on international duty with Team Palestine. The right and left backs and been shuffled along the way, both to compensate for injury and disappointing performances in matches where defensive breakdowns led to goals against. Most recently, forward Philippe Davies has played as a right back, giving them a speedier option who can attack from the back. Andres Fresenga has been solid when called upon, while Maykon has shown flashes of the player Dos Santos expected when he signed him.

Midfielders

Tony Donatelli was easily the biggest surprised here. Signed while training camp was underway, Donatelli has emerged as a powerful scoring threat in the midfield. He is second in the NASL in goals (four) and tied for the league list in assists (three). Richie Ryan has turned out to be both an excellent choice for captain and a force in the defensive midfield, delivering the ball with impressive calmness and never seeming to get rushed into making a play. Sinisa Ubiparipovic was counted on to score more than the one goal he ended the spring with, but that goal was a beauty and it's clear from his play with the ball that eventually he'll start finding the net more regularly. His injury in the team's final training session of the spring season was another blow to Ottawa as the skilled Serbian wasn't available against New York. Nicki Paterson only suited up for the first match of the season before suffering a knee injury in training. His return to the lineup in July will be another big boost for the club.

Forwards

Fury FC got hit by the injury bug before the regular season started, and in a big way, when top striker Tommy Heinemann -- one of the few players on the team with MLS experience -- went down during training camp with a high ankle sprain. He wasn't able to return until the second-last game of the season and scored the winner in a 1-0 result against Edmonton. There's little doubt the big American would have popped in a few more goals and he left big shoes to fill. Oliver was good in spurts, scoring twice against the Carolina earlier in the year, but Ottawa will need more from him going forward. Dantas also scored once but expect him to continue to develop into a strong offensive presence difficult to defend against.

While he didn't score in the spring, one of the most pleasant surprises has to have been the emergence of Carl Haworth as a starter. Haworth, who played for the Fury's PDL team, wasn't expected to be a mainstay in the starting group, but his skill -- and especially his speed -- has made it hard to keep him off the pitch. He'll just continue to get better.

Coaches

It has become clear in a short period of time what a major get it was for the team to land Marc Dos Santos as head coach. Not only does the media like him because he answers thoughtfully and doesn't speak in cliches, but the players all seem to have bought into the possession-oriented, quick ball movement style of play the Montreal native has put in place along with assistant Martin Nash. The fact that Dos Santos can speak the first languages of every player on his squad -- he speaks Portuguese, Spanish, French and English -- is huge. Nash, though a bit more reserved than Dos Santos, commands similar respect from the team as a former player himself who was won at this level. Goalkeeper coach David Bellemare, who resigned recently, will be missed.

Fall prediction

Dos Santos has created a team that refuses to take steps backwards. They won't accept anything but a better finish in the fall than the 6th place they wrapped up the spring with and will be looking to qualify for the post-season. Expect to see at least a top-four finish on the table in the fall.

Ottawa Fury FC returns to action in Edmonton July 13 and plays its first match from TD Place against the New York Cosmos July 20. "

chris.hofley@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @chrishofley