Goalkeeper: The Monarchs saw Homegrown standout Lalo Fernandez start the majority of the club’s games a season ago, but with Jeff Attinella’s offseason move to Portland, he has moved into the backup role behind Nick Rimando for RSL. That leaves competition for the starting spot for the Monarchs, with returning goalkeeper Connor Sparrow, who made two appearances a season ago, being joined by 2017 MLS SuperDraft selection Andrew Putna, a two-time Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year.

Defense: The Monarchs return both Emilio Orozco and Max Lachowecki, both of whom were regulars in the lineup a season ago, with Lachowecki (2,206) finishing second only to Ricardo Velazco (2,274) in minutes played. Real has also added former Portland Timbers 2 center back Michael Gallagher, who made 24 appearances in the USL last season. The side could also be bolstered by rookies Reagan Dunk and Justin Schmidt, both of whom signed with RSL after being selected in the MLS SuperDraft, and U.S. U20 international Danny Acosta, who has made 21 appearances in the league over the past two seasons.

Midfield: Real made some late-season pickups that had positive impacts in Charlie Adams and James Moberg last year, and the side remained aggressive this offseason and added some potential impact players. Leading the way is creative midfielder Sebastian Velasquez, who returns to the RSL organization – where he made 38 MLS appearances from 2012-14 – as a member of the Monarchs. Velasquez is joined by former Portland Timbers 2 midfielder Nick Besler, a former First Round MLS SuperDraft pick who made 49 appearances for T2 over the past two seasons as the side came up just short of a playoff berth in 2016.

Forward: The Monarchs made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason when they announced the signing of former Louisville City FC forward Chandler Hoffman for 2017. Hoffman, who has recorded more goals than any player in the USL over the past three seasons with 31, tallied 14 goals to help City finish second in the Eastern Conference last season, and should provide a strong replacement for Velazco. Former Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 forward Daniel Haber made for another big addition after he played a key role in WFC2’s run to the Western Conference Final last year, while returning RSL Academy product Andrew Brody will aim to add to his two goals and one assist in his rookie year.