Fury FC Roster Taking Shape

With kickoff on its sophomore campaign in the NASL just over two months away, Ottawa Fury FC continues to finalize its roster heading into the 2015 Spring Season, adding Brazilian defender Rafael Alves while also announcing that Jamaican defender O’Brian Woodbine will not be returning.

Though merely speculation, it appears that the club is close to signing 2014 loanee Ryan Richter to a full-time deal after Richter’s former club, Toronto FC, opted not to sign him to a contract extension.  It also appears as though American midfielder Tony Donatelli will not return in 2015.

Rafael Alves Signs

Fury FC manager Marc Dos Santos has landed Brazilian centreback Rafael Alves on a free transfer after the Fort Lauderdale Strikers surprisingly did not extend the 30 year-old’s contract.  Alves started twenty-four matches for the Strikers in 2014, including both of Fort Lauderdale’s playoff matches.  The 6’3 Alves, a solidly-built native of Praia Grande, will likely start in the heart of the Fury FC defence alongside Mason Trafford.

Alves appeared in Fort Lauderdale in 2013, at age twenty-eight and seemingly out of nowhere.  Before his debut season with the Strikers, Alves had just one statistical season in Brazil; in 2010 he appeared five times with Serie D (Brazilian fourth division) side Ituano.  He was also a member of Boa Esporte Club (Serie B) and Goías (Serie A), though he does not have any official appearances for either side.

Regardless of his pre-NASL pedigree, Alves has consistently proven over his two seasons in Florida with the Strikers that he is a serviceable NASL defender.

In an interesting twist of fate, Ottawa Fury FC’s first conceded goal was scored by Alves – then with the Strikers – in April of 2014.  Fury FC lost their professional debut, an away match against Fort Lauderdale, 2-0, with Alves scoring the eventual winning goal just thirteen minutes in on a set piece.

The signing of Alves likely pushes veteran Omar Jarun out of the first team, and it will be interesting to see how the 31 year-old Jarun – left out of the Palestine team that competed at its first-ever AFC Asian Cup after making sixteen appearances for the Lions of Canaan – will respond to his new role.

Donatelli Likely Not Back

As per one of the club’s French beat writers, Tony Donatelli will not be returning in 2015.  The presumed decision to decline Donatelli’s option is an unsurprising one, as the 30 year-old American midfielder’s form dipped substantially during what was a poor Fall Season for most of the footballers at Fury FC.

Donatelli, who had never played above the USL before joining Fury FC, surprised many during the Spring Season with his timely and oft-spectacular goals.  However, as the season wore on Donatelli’s form faded and many pundits were left wondering if there would be a spot for him on an NASL roster in 2015.

While the Glenside, Pennsylvania native has excelled this offseason in Baltimore with the MISL’s Blast, it seems unlikely he will return.  In all likelihood, he will end up in USL Pro.

Ryan Richter Signing Only a Matter of Time

“We will bring Ryan Richter back,” said Marc Dos Santos to the Ottawa Sun’s Chris Hofley.  Why not?  Competition for playing time can only be a good thing, and the more capable defenders at Fury FC’s disposal, the better.  Richter looked to be a serviceable defender in his fifteen appearances with the club on loan last season, and could push for a first team spot at rightback.

Of course, there was this gaffe against Indy during the Fall Season.  By the same token, he also scored a crucial equalizer late-on during a Fall Season match against the eventual-champion San Antonio Scorpions.

Bringing Richter back is essentially a no-brainer; the move will create intersquad competition for playing time, and at twenty-five, Richter still has time to grow.

O’Brian Woodbine Gone

In another unsurprising move, Fury FC announced via Twitter that Jamaican defender O’Brian Woodbine will not be back at TD Place in 2015 – at least not in Fury colours.  The 27 year-old was signed during the Fall Season amidst a rash of injuries on the backline, and went on to make five appearances for Ottawa.

While Woodbine proved to be a useful stopgap, it’s likely he was never in Dos Santos’ plans beyond the end of 2014.

More Moves Coming

As highlighted by Chris Hofley in his article for the Ottawa Sun, Fury FC still have six roster spots open.  Dos Santos told the Sun that a deal for another forward is nearly finalized, and that he hopes to bring in another centreback.

That would leave Ottawa’s central defensive corps strong, with the likes of ironman Mason Trafford, Rafael Alves, Omar Jarun, Drew Beckie, and the to-be-named-later centreback all on the roster and competing for two spots.  Beckie’s versatility and ability to shift to the right flank will naturally give him more opportunities for minutes.

As for the rumoured forward, it would be another necessary signing.  With the release of Vini Dantas, Fury FC currently have just one striker on their roster in frontman Tom Heinemann.  While Heinemann did net some timely goals in 2014, the offence as a whole struggled mightily at times and Dos Santos is doing his due diligence in attempting to diversify his attacking options.