Much like their expansion brethren Indy Eleven, the question is one that revolves around just how they'll fare this season. There is no baseline to base any predictions on, so we'll have to analyze the side, piece by piece, and try to gather if the parts add up to a greater sum.
Goalkeepers
It will be interesting to see how the goalkeeping situation develops throughout the season for Ottawa, as Devala Gorrick and Marcel DeBellis will likely both see time. Gorrick is by far the more experienced goalkeeper, having played in the USL and in Thailand and Sweden. DeBellis, while younger, has featured with the likes of Ascoli and Benfica's U-19 squad. With his upside, it's hard to see how DeBellis would be kept out of the lineup on a regular basis.
Chad Bush, having developed with the Ottawa Fury PDL side, will be the number three goalkeeper and will benefit from a season of just simply being in a professional environment.
Defenders
On paper, Ottawa looks to be formidable in the back, but again, we'll see how this evolving unit will stack up as the season goes on.
Former Tampa Bay man Omar Jarun will spearhead the defense from his center back spot, and in being as strong in the air and as physical as you'd like, he'll give Ottawa the tough figure any back line would want. Based upon team selections in the Fury's friendlies, it would appear that Canadian international Mason Trafford will partner Jarun after returning to North America following a spell with China's Guizhou Zhicheng. Canadian youth international Drew Beckie, who can also play at right back, has arrived after spending last season with Columbus. Though he only played with the Columbus reserves, he should be a viable option at this level.
Right back Andres Fresenga returns to Canada after having played the last couple of years with Racing Montevideo of Uruguay, and there is every reason to think that the former Canadian U-20 player will do well. The left back situation could be interesting thanks to a couple of very viable candidates in the form of Spaniard Ramon Soria and Brazilian Maykon. Soria developed in the Villareal youth setup and was a mainstay in Mallora's B squad for two seasons. Maykon could easily be deployed on the left wing instead of left back thanks to his aptitude for getting forward.
Midfielders
Marc Dos Santos has done a great job of assembling a midfield that stands a chance to give opponents fits this season.
Defensive midfielder Richie Ryan has made such a great impression on his new club after arriving from Sligo Rovers that he has been named captain for Ottawa's inaugural season. He'll be feisty and combative, and his experience drawn from winning the FAI Cup and playing in Europa League matches is a fantastic asset. Canadian international Phillipe Davies, formerly of Vancouver, will also get plenty of action centrally, while Canadian U-20 product Mauro Eutaquio offers promising cover.
Nicki Paterson will be the playmaker in the midfield, and after a stellar spell with Charleston that saw him tally ten goals last season, the expectation will be for him to duplicate that sort of production in the NASL. Don't be surprised if he does. Montreal loanee Zakaria Messoudi would be well advised to heed Paterson's example.
Wide options abound, though these spots could be revolving doors in the early stages of the season. Sinisa Ubiparipovic has shown his propensity for the long shot and the good cross in his previous spells with the Red Bulls and Montreal. Tony Donatelli can play wide right or centrally, and his eye for the incisive pass will earn him solid minutes. The aforementioned Maykon could start on the left, as could Pierre-Rudolph Mayard, who provides pace and previous NASL experience with Montreal.
Strikers
Ottawa's striking quartet is perfectly balanced, featuring two target forwards and two smaller, quicker candidates.
The towering presence of Tom Heinemann is certainly a welcome one following his arrival from Vancouver. Goals were hard to come by during his time in MLS, but thanks to his previous experience in the USL, he should fit in just fine at this level. Brazilian Vini Dantas will also fight to be the leading aerial threat up top.
Though Oliver Minatel is an unknown to many on this side of the Atlantic, many in Ottawa think that this won't be the case for long. All indications are that he is as quick and tricky as they come and will accordingly be a revelation in the NASL this season. Former Montreal draftee and Ottawa PDL player Carl Haworth could find his minutes rather sparse if Minatel lives up to the initial billing.
Verdict
Like Indy Eleven, the unknown about Ottawa revolves around just how quickly a completely new side can form some semblance of cohesion. Simply integrating new players into a team can be tough enough; never mind building a side from scratch.
However, Ottawa does have the luxury of having a manager with experience and a good record at this level, and unlike Indy, they have experience all throughout the roster. Like Indy, Ottawa will probably end up on the outside of the postseason looking in, but I would expect them to be the better of the NASL's two new clubs.
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