Entering its third season, the winds of change blew through the World Wide Technology Soccer Park this offseason as 2014 USL Coach of the Year Preki was unveiled as the man to lead Saint Louis FC to its first postseason berth in the USL. With him, the National Soccer Hall of Fame member brought a number of familiar faces from his time with Sacramento Republic FC, and from around the rest of the USL, as the club looks to reward its devoted support with success on the field as it returns to the Eastern Conference for the new season.

Head Coach: Preki
Stadium: Toyota Stadium - Saint Louis
2016 results: 8-12-10, 34pts
2016 postseason: N/A

Goalkeeper: Saint Louis made one of the biggest moves of the offseason with the signing of former Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC goalkeeper Devala Gorrick, who earned USL All-League Second Team honors in 2016 after ranking in the top five for saves, save percentage, goals-against average and minutes a season ago. Gorrick is joined by former Rochester Rhinos goalkeeper Adam Grinwis, the 2014 PDL Goalkeeper of the Year, which should make for a strong tandem in net.

Defense: AJ Cochran is the lone holdover from Saint Louis’ defense, which conceded 44 goals in the regular season in 2016. Joining him is 2016 USL Cup champion Konrad Plewa, who arrives from the New York Red Bulls II, and experienced fullbacks Wes Charpie (Toronto FC II) and Matt Sheldon (Orange County SC). Academy player Aedan Stanley – who made one appearance for the side a season ago – could also be in the mix. Former Ocean City Nor’easters defender Ryan Howe and Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville player Austin Ledbetter also enter their rookie seasons with the club.

Midfield: Saint Louis overhauled the center of the field, with 2014 USL Cup champions Octavio Guzman and Ivan Mirkovic reuniting with their former coach to provide a strong foundation in the defensive midfield. The side also brought in Sebastian Dalgaard, who recorded eight goals and five assists for OKC Energy FC over the past two seasons, and former LA Galaxy II midfielder Dragan Stojkov. A trio of midfielders are currently set to return in Chad Bond, Tyler David and Seth Rudolph, but the new guard will likely lead the way when the season starts.

Forward: With 2016 leading scorer Irvin Herrera sent on loan for the duration of this season, Saint Louis needed to restock its attack adequately, and in the signings of Jose Angulo and Christian Volesky may have done just that. The 2013 USL Most Valuable Player while he was with Pittsburgh, Angulo has scored 34 goals in three seasons in the USL, while Volesky recorded 18 goals over the past two years with the Rochester Rhinos. The combination of the two should provide the attacking bite STLFC needs.

Strengths: Saint Louis focused on building a strong central spine to its team as it rebuilt most of its squad this offseason, and would appear to have accomplished what it set out to with the likes of Devala Gorrick, Konrad Plewa, Octavio Guzman and the duo of Jose Angulo and Christian Volesky on top. The foundation should allow players like winger Sebastian Dalgaard and fullback Wesley Charpie, who had 21 assists for the University of South Florida in 81 appearances before turning pro, to provide quality service and keep the club’s attack driving forward.

Weaknesses: When any team sees major changes to its squad, a major question is how quickly the new roster will come together to form a cohesive unit. That many of the players have either played for Preki, or alongside each other in the case of Ivan Mirkovic and Matt Sheldon with Orange County, should help the process, but making sure the side remains in contention early on as the chemistry builds will be important to allow the team to grow as a group.

Key number: 25 – Saint Louis conceded 25 first-half goals in the 2016 regular season, which left the side regularly having to fight its way back into games. Rectifying that this season will go a long way toward the club earning its first postseason berth.

Noteworthy matchups: Saint Louis’ trip to Louisville on the opening Saturday of the season, with a big set of traveling support set to join them, could be the highlight game of Week 1 in the USL as the battle for the Kings’ Cup is renewed. April 8’s game against the New York Red Bulls II should also give a good impression as to where the team stands in the Eastern Conference’s hierarchy, while a visit from FC Cincinnati on September 23 could be key for both teams in the stretch run to the playoffs.

Coach’s view: “I think we have to be patient and believe in the process that we establish. Once we create an identity and our play reflects that, I believe the results will come. I hope the fans share their patience with me and I promise to deliver team that gives them something to smile about.” – Saint Louis FC Head Coach Preki

Current roster (updated: March 14, 2017):
Goalkeepers: Devala Gorrick, Adam Grinwis
Defenders: AJ Cochran, Konrad Plewa, Austin Ledbetter, Matt Sheldon, Wes Charpie, Ryan Howe, Erick Cabalceta
Midfielders: Seth Rudolph, Sebastian Dalgaard, Dragan Stojkov, Chad Bond, Mats Bjurman, Tyler David, Nick Radosavljevic, Octavio Guzman, Ivan Mirkovic, Denis Ahmetovic
Forwards: Christian Volseky, Jose Angulo, Milan Petosevic