He has forged a more veteran roster.

He spiced up the club's international flavour.

In less than two weeks, London City GM Ryan Gauss will see if his offseason work can gloss over memories of last year's painful winless Canadian Soccer League campaign.

City went 0-19-3, the worst season in the 37-year-old club's history. There's only one way to go from there when they open their season May 24 at Maple against the Italia Shooters and at home May 29 against North York at Cove Road Field.

"Since this is professional soccer, we need to get the best players, period," Gauss said. "It's about proving our organization will take whatever steps necessary to make sure we are successful and contend for a playoff spot, and within time, a league title."


First step is one win.

Four Dominican relatives -- Euclid, Rasheed, Ludwig and Chad Bertrand -- will be counted on for some wins. Euclid played for City in 1995. He's 33 now and has six national team caps.

Kentucky midfielder Patrick Bueno, a former captain at Union College, is the first from his school to join a CSL team. John Zdrunca trained with the Canberra club in Australia and spent two years playing in England for Dunkirk and Gedling Town.

Gauss is still working on international clearances, but expects most to start the season.

"We still have far more local players and Ontario players than we do international," he said, "(but) it is about making sure fans get to see the best possible soccer."

Locally, City has signed Sean Uz, brought back high-energy guy Erik (The Hammer) Elmauer and added Jason Cabrel. Gauss picked up Toronto midfielder Keith Smith and defender Jevon Venderryden.

There are also some available players from the west. The Windsor Border Stars have been disbanded by the league over finances, which makes London the CSL's westernmost team.

"We are currently in negotiations to secure a few of their top players," Gauss said. "We still travel a great deal. Our furthest trip will be to Quebec (July 4)."

Gauss indicates there is a great divide in the London soccer community, one that has existed for many years. But he claims the new FC London under-23 squad poised to play in the United Soccer Leagues' premier development circuit hasn't stolen away the city's top young talent.

"The other London club has had no effect on us whatsoever," Gauss said. "They are not a professional club. We have not lost any players to them on our permanent roster. Even though they have not kicked a ball to date, they are doing one really good thing for the community, bringing in more awareness to soccer."

City has opted not to run a reserve team in the Western Ontario Soccer League this year. Cty has, however, struck up an affiliation with London Marconi.

"We do look to operate a team out of the CSL reserve division next year," Gauss said.

Gauss' brother Sean returns as London's head coach. Andrew Loague, City's lone bright spot after an MVP-calibre, 14-goal season last year, will serve as team captain and on-field general.

London rookie of the year Brian Abudakin, goalkeeper Fedja Dimitrov and midfielder Tshaka Anderson return from last season.

Ryan's father Harry, the heart and soul of the club and a cancer survivor, remains as team consultant.

"If we fail, it is on me," Ryan said. "The players that are returning are those who remember what last season felt like. The level of passion and desire to win . . . to date I have not personally seen anything comparable in my three years."