“We’re excited about playing at home, in front of our fans,” said Hewerton, whose club opened with a 5-4 shootout win in Orlando, lost 9-4 the next night to Florida in Lakeland, Fla., and then fell 7-6 on a last-minute goal in Harrisburg, Pa. “That first trip was tough. Less than 24 hours after an emotional win, we just didn’t have much left. You could see it in the guys’ faces; they knew what they needed to do, but the legs just weren’t there.”

Hewerton has played 14 years of professional soccer and has a strong background in futsal, which is routinely played on a basketball court with no boards. Futsal emphasizes skill, creativity, quickness and movement.

“New season, new challenges,” he said. “It’s more an adjustment for some players that other, but by bringing aspects of futsal into American soccer, I think it can make us less predictable and make us a very difficult team to defend.”

This will be the final season as a player for Hewerton, who led the Ambush in scoring a year ago with 11 goals and 22 assists.

“It was a tough choice, but I’m sticking to it,” he said. “I still love to play, but I’m 39 ... it’s time. And honestly, I’m excited about being behind the bench full time and helping my players in any way I can.”