After a trying 2015 campaign, Wilmington Hammerheads FC is hoping to start a new chapter this season. The Hammerheads have undergone a number of changes following a three-win performance and last-place finish in the Eastern Conference a year ago, starting with the hire of former Wilmington midfielder Mark Briggs as the team’s head coach. The club is celebrating its 20th anniversary this season, and returning to the club’s earlier success would be a fitting response.

Head Coach: Mark Briggs
Stadium: Legion Stadium
2015 results: 3-15-10 record; 12th in Eastern Conference
2015 postseason: Did not qualify for USL Playoffs

Goalkeeper: Wilmington will have a completely new goalkeeping corps this season and sought out the services of two players who should push each other for minutes this year. Canadian John Smits is coming off a four-year stretch with FC Edmonton, and has a tremendous track record that includes winning the 2014 NASL Golden Glove award for the lowest goals-against average that season. Signing a month before Smits was Eric Ati, who spent three years with the Atlanta Silverbacks, winning a spring championship with the club in 2013, and then last year played for the USL’s Charlotte Independence. Ati’s also a member of the U.S. Futsal National Team, so he has the added track record of being able to work and react in tight spaces.

Defense: Scottish footballer Tom Parratt has been a staple of the Wilmington defense since 2011, and that element won’t change heading into 2016. Parrett posted two assists in 23 games last year for the Hammerheads. Everything surrounding him will be brand new. One of the Hammerheads’ early offseason signings with Peabo Doue, who spent the past two seasons with OKC Energy FC and helped the club reach the Western Conference Final last year. His go-ahead overtime goal was crucial during the team’s eventual shootout win against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the Western Conference Semifinals. Wilmington also brought in Ferrety Sousa, who has spent the past two seasons with the Atlanta Silverbacks. 

Midfield: One of the more interesting aspects of Wilmington’s midfield this season is the signing of Liam Miller, who brings 120 Premier League games to his resume – a background that any USL club could ask for. He was nursing an injury through the preseason, so Miller’s immediate impact is to be determined. Other newcomers include Jeff Michaud, who is on a season-long loan from the Tampa Bay Rowdies as he prepares for his second professional season. Among the returning corps is Justin Moose, who posted two goals in 24 games last season, and Stefan Defregger who posted two goals in 15 games, and Will Heaney who was mostly a reserve last season, posting a goal in 22 games (nine starts). Zev Taublieb split his 2015 with Sacramento Republic FC and Wilmington.

Forward: Qudus Lawal was traded from Seattle Sounders FC 2 last summer, and while he registered a modest two goals and two assists in 11 games, a full season with a revamped club will be a better barometer to measure his intangibles. Lawal will have a number of new faces alongside him, including a heavily experienced striker in Matthew Barnes-Homer. The 30-year-old, who actually had a stint with the Rochester Rhinos back in 2004, would spend most of the next decade in his native England. He represented more than a dozen clubs, spending most of his years with fifth-tier Kidderminster Harriers FC and fourth-tier Luton Town FC. Also among this group is Bryce Taylor, who was a 2012 USL Rookie of the Year finalist with the Hammerheads that season.

Strengths: Perhaps too early to dub a strength – but definitely worthy of tagging as a major improvement – the Hammerheads seem to have found some nice upgrades in the midfield and attack to have an impact on the scoring side. There really is nowhere to go but up following a 22-goal season from a year ago. Lawal, Barnes-Horner and potentially Liam Miller could turn into the driving force to dramatically improve this number.

Weaknesses: One big question heading into the season is can this completely retooled defense form a collective bond in such a short time frame? Outside of Parratt’s return, Briggs and the Hammerheads literally stripped and rebuilt the roster in the defense and at goalkeeper. While individually many of the players have enjoyed some previous success, quite a bit has been thrown on their plate heading into the season.

Key number: 2009 – In 2009, Briggs earned team MVP honors and helped lead Wilmington to the USL Second Division Regular Season title with a 12-5-3 record.

Noteworthy matchups: The North Carolina derby against the Charlotte Independence, which resumes on May 11 at Legion Stadium, will be a matchup of two teams that were both absent from the postseason picture a year ago and hope to break into the other side of the playoff line.

Coach’s view: “It’s going to take time for us to understand things, but with each day, with each week, it’s getting better. It’s getting stronger.” – Mark Briggs

Current roster (updated: March 24, 2016):
Goalkeepers: Eric Ati, John Smits
Defenders: Peabo Doue, Tom Parratt, Michael Mecham, Bruno Perone, Ferrety Sousa
Midfielders: Mael Corboz, Stefan Defregger, Will Heaney, Jeff Michaud, Liam Miller, Justin Moose, Logan Miller, Josue Currais Prieto, Zev Taublieb
Forwards: Matthew Barnes-Homer, Qudus Lawal, Austin Martz, Kyle Parker, Bryce Taylor