

Posted by

Stuart Mactaggart ,

March 27, 2015 Email

Stuart Mactaggart

On Twitter:

@FuryFanatic

It’s not long before Ottawa Fury FC kick off their sophomore season in the North American Soccer League, starting on the road in Carolina. The Fury squad are over halfway through their preseason schedule, which includes wins against FC Montreal and Toronto FC II. The new additions seem to be fitting in quite well, while the core that Dos Santos has kept around from last season seem to be fitter and more battle ready than ever for the season ahead.



Ottawa Fury FC, a club that rose like a phoenix from the ashes of Ottawa Fury SC (PDL), enter their second year in division 2 much stronger and more organized than they were this time last season. Dos Santos seems excited about being able to fit in a full preseason schedule with his squad, as last season he still had many players on trial and quite a few spots left to fill.



After finishing 8th overall last season, Dos Santos has trimmed some of the fat from the roster, while keeping around a core set of players he would like to build around. These core players include captain Richie Ryan, who signed a two year contract extension before the end of last season, Brazilian Oliver Minatel, Scotsman Nicki Paterson and Canadian defenders Mason Trafford and Drew Beckie.



Dos Santos described his first key move for the 2015 season as the signing of keeper Romuald Pesier in the summer of 2014, with the Frenchman’s contract seeing him beyond the end of the fall campaign. Peiser will be starting keeping this year, with Canadian Marcel De Bellis sitting as number two, following the departure of Devala Gorrick. De Bellis has received strong praise from goalkeeping coach Bruce Grobbelaar, who insists the Canadian is developing very well.



The defence has been shaken up a lot following the departure of Ramon Soria, Kenny Caceros, Andres Fresenga, O’Brian Woodbine, and most recently Omar Jarun. Dos Santos has brought in a lot of experience in the middle with the introductions of centre backs Colin Falvey and Rafael Alves. Both signings take up international spots on the Fury roster, and will challenge Beckie and Trafford for starting positions.



Out wide, Ottawa secured the signing of former Atlanta Silverbacks captain Mike Randolph for the left back position, while signing Ryan Richter from Toronto FC at right back. Brandon Poltronieri, also from Atlanta, is a versatile player Dos Santos has brought in, and he will be battling for a position in both the left back and left midfield positions.



The midfield goes nearly unchanged for this season, with Richie Ryan, Nicki Paterson, Sinisa Ubiparipovic, Phil Davies and Mauro Eustaquio all returning. Patryk Misik, a young Canadian talent, has been brought in to replace Tony Donatelli, who didn’t re-sign for 2015.



Tommy Heinemann will be returning this season in the centre forward role; however he will have competition for a starting position, as Dos Santos has brought in Andrew Wiedeman from Toronto FC. Canadian Carl Haworth and Brazilian Oliver Minatel will also be returning this season, joined up front by Brazilian winger Paulo Jr.



Dos Santos will likely have Fury playing in his regular 4-3-3 formation, with the added speed of Randolph, Paulo Jr. and Wiedeman helping the Fury squad push forward. Alves and Falvey will surely add a lot of stability to Ottawa’s back line, while Ubiparipovic, Ryan and Paterson will provide experience through the middle.



The squad has a good mix of youth and experience, as well as speed and size. Dos Santos will be looking for the squad to be chasing a playoff position this year. However, a 6th/7th place finishing is more realistic. Ottawa Fury have a lot of potential heading into the season, however it will take a strong winning mentality and consistency from a squad that showed a lot of heart and passion last year.



Ottawa Fury FC kick off their 2015 NASL campaign on April 4th in Carolina and have their home opener on April 18th against the newly named MLS expansion side Minnesota United.