The Carolina Railhawks are set to kick off their 2016 spring season Saturday in Cary against Minnesota United.

After a disappointing 2015 campaign that resulted in a sixth place NASL table standing, the Railhawks are eager for a turnaround.

With the addition of twelve new players and a new owner, the face of the team will look drastically different this year.

Despite the consistent heroics of keeper Akira Fitzgerald, the Railhawks were tied for last in goals conceded last year in the NASL.

In an effort to restore their defense, the Railhawks have signed former Ottawa Fury defender Drew Beckie and former FC Edmonton defender Kareem Moses. In addition, the Railhawks have taken advantage of the recent Atlanta Silverbacks disbandment, by adding two former Silverback defenders: Paul Black and Simon Mensing.

During the 2015 campaign, Black and Mensing served as core members of a Silverbacks defense that conceded the third fewest goals in all of NASL.

Railhawks team captain and defensive player, Connor Turbin, was also re-signed during the offseason.

These new additions and adjustments should construct a more cohesive defense in 2016.

Along with defensive changes, the Railhawks made more additions to their already cluttered Midfield. Matt Watson will be returning to the Railhawks lineup, after a brief string of MLS appearances for the Chicago Fire. The Railhawks are also bringing former Ft. Lauderdale midfielder James Marcelin on board. Marcelin was elected a member of the NASL best XI during 2015.

These new additions will join club returnees Tiyi Shipalane, Nazmi Albadawi, Alex Perez, Austin Da Luz and Marvin Ceballos.

Historically, club manager Colin Clarke has utilized a 4-5-1 formation. This arrangement maximizes the team’s abundance of midfielders and compensates for the team’s lack of strikers.

With this heavy emphasis on the midfield area, there is now likely to be stiff competition for playing time.

One key area of concern for the Railhawks is striker. This position has repeatedly plagued the team. However, concerns regarding this position have grown exponentially following the recent departure of striker Nacho Novo. In addition to serving as the Railhawks’ lone striker and team-leading scorer during 2015, Novo finished third in the league in number of goals scored.

The Railhawks have signed former Tampa Bay Rowdies forward Brian Shriver. Prior to Tampa, Shriver previously played for the Railhawks. During his brief spell with the team in 2013, he was awarded the NASL Golden Boot award. However, after leaving Cary, he suffered a scoring drought. Shriver netted just five goals over the course of 40 appearances for the Rowdies.

Now that he’s back with the Railhawks, Shriver will seek to plug the striker hole and look for a return to form.

Despite all of the new faces on the pitch, perhaps the greatest change for the Railhawks this season is their change in ownership.

With the resignation of previous Railhawks owner Traffic USA; Kinston native and entrepreneur Steven Malik has stepped up to fill that void.

Malik, who is now the fourth owner in Railhawks history, looks to both increase the popularity of soccer in the Triangle Area and “help the Railhawks play at the highest level.”

With numerous adjustments and additions to the team the Railhawks look poised for success in 2016.