The main knock on Ottawa Fury FC last year was how the expansion NASL team performed defensively.

Coach Marc Dos Santos has said he felt the back line lacked leadership in Year 1, that there were too many late-game lapses that led to goals against. Dos Santos vowed to make changes and delivered on that promise during the off-season, signing a pair of veteran centre backs in Rafael Alves and Colin Falvey, inking right back Ryan Richter to a contract after the former TFC defender came to Ottawa on loan last year and added much-needed depth on the left side with Mike Randolph and Brandon Poltronieri.

As Fury prepares this week for its spring season home finale Friday night against FC Edmonton, Dos Santos' go-to back four features Richter, Alves, Falvey and 2014 iron man Mason Trafford, who has slid comfortably into the left back spot after playing last year as a centre back.

Veteran goalkeeper Romuald Peiser has continued to anchor a defensive group that has become increasingly difficult to score against, giving Fury -- which has had trouble scoring this season -- a chance to get results in tight, low-scoring games.

"I think it took a little bit of time (to build chemistry) because it's more or less a complete new back four," Falvey said after training at TD Place on Tuesday. "Credit to the gaffer and club for bringing in the players, I think each piece brings their own little thing."

The Irish defender said he's enjoyed playing alongside Alves, saying he and the Brazilian centre back complement each other well. He's also been impressed with Richter and Trafford.

"(Trafford) came in at left back which is maybe not his natural position but he's slid in as if he's played there a long time," said Falvey, who along with Richter and Peiser are the only three Fury players to have played all 630 minutes of action this year. "Richter's a modern day right back, does everything you ask, up and down, good offensively, good defensively. I think it's worked quite well, each and every one of us has brought something to the table."

Dos Santos said when he signed Richter that he would be a big part of the team moving forward and that has been the case.

"I'm extremely happy here," Richter said. "I love the club, coaching staff, the players. I'm really happy here in the city too (and) the results seem like they're starting to go our way.

"Everything that I chose to (base) my decision on is going the right way right now."

Richter chalked up some early season hiccups to four defenders getting used to each other.

"We weren't on the same page, maybe we were pressing a little bit, we weren't connected in the back," he said. "I think the last couple games we focused on staying connected. Maybe it hasn't created as many chances, but it's given us a chance to get a result. You just need one ball to bounce your way and it gives you a chance to win the game, not chase the game."

Fury has allowed more than one goal in league play only twice this season and have conceded just one in their last three games, in which they are 1-1-1.

"It show us we're building this team the right way, we're building from the back and making sure we're solid in the back and moving forward," Dos Santos said. "We just have to improve offensively."

SICK BAY

After returning from a knee injury Saturday as a second-half substitute against Indy Eleven, Fury captain Richie Ryan was absent from training on Tuesday. Alves also trained away from the main group, but Dos Santos said it was a maintenance day for the centre back. Oliver and Philippe Davies remain out.

As for Ryan, Dos Santos said he expected to know more on his captain's condition later Tuesday, though he said it wasn't his knee.

Last spring season game at TD Place goes Friday

Fury will break from its usual Saturday game schedule this week as it wraps up its home spring season schedule Friday night against visiting FC Edmonton.

The change from Fury's usual 3 p.m. weekend matinee to Friday at 7 p.m was necessary to accommodate preparations for the upcoming 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. FIFA actually assumes control of TD Place - which will be called Lansdowne Stadium during the tournament - on Thursday and Fury had to get special permission to play at home Friday.

But different night or not, Friday's game is a big one for Fury against its one true rival in the league.

"Everyone on this team hates them, personally I hate them," defender Ryan Richter said about the visiting Eddies. "I think everyone has a little rivalry with the player in their position on Edmonton.

"We need a result, it's as simple as that."

Twitter: @chrishofley