It's that time of year again, Union fans.  As of now, our controversial roster is pretty much what it's gonna be.  Following an offseason of unusual turnover, heart-rending surprises, vicious debate, and a deluge of tweets fit for no man's daughters, we've got ourselves a team.  For better or worse, Union 3.0 has arrived.

Now we've gotta figure out what to do with it.  Undoubtedly, Nowak & Co. are huddling in one of their favorite undisclosed locations, poring over possible lineups under the dim glow of a single ceiling lamp, their voices hushed and urgent as they do their best to create something "fluid" we can all enjoy.  Since the walls are soundproof, the infrared alarm system is armed, and the hired Serbian mercenaries have been given the kill order, we can only surmise what the final product will be. 

Here, we'll do our best to do just that.  Our 3-part series on the lineup begins with…

The defense.  This is the easy part.  A wise man, presumably with an unbroken thing, once said, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."  As his eager young cabin boy sullenly put away his tools, he probably wasn't thinking about the near impenetrable back line that characterized the Union's 2nd-year squad.  But he could've been.

Workin' the Middle

Say what you want about Danny Califf (he's not that good…he's not that big…mohawks are lame…) but in our once and future captain, we've got a bulwark.  There's a reason he wears the armband, and it's the same reason Mondy wore it. 

The measure of a man on the pitch isn't 100% skill-based.  Califf has his weaknesses (as did the Dragon), but at the end of the day, a leader is a leader.  As long as he's got a certain bare minimum of ability, the intangibles do the rest. 

Many would argue that Faryd's organizing of the back line is what made it so insurmountable to opponents.  This ignores the fact that in our first season it didn't include Carlos Valdes, and mostly didn't include Sheanon Williams.  The captain is only as good as the ship. 

Now somebody else has gotta orchestrate this thing, and with Mondra-gone, Capt. Califf is our best bet.  Pair him at center with the inimitable Valdes, and our middle couldn't be tighter if we wore a corset.

The Complete Back Four

The Califf-Valdes center back tandem is one thing on which Nowak, the fans, and the world at large can agree.  The only really new factor in the back is the welcome addition of Porfirio Lopez.  Instead of trotting out the odd midfielder to hold the left while Juan Diego Gonzalez Alzate sits around counting his names, we actually get to play with a full set this year.   Assuming Raymon Gaddis isn't there for decoration either, we can even look to the bench when the situation warrants.  What a luxury!

Meanwhile, on the right…do I need to say it?  Sheanon "The Human Trebuchet" Williams (I will never give up on this nickname; you can pry it from my cold, dead blog) will continue to provide his more than adequate coverage, all the while itching and chomping at the bit, ready for the moment when he can turn defense into offense.  

I bedgrudge not a cent taken from the Seba money that goes to Mr. Williams' paycheck.  Now that he officially makes more than a public school teacher, expect him to charge even harder into the turnovers of his making, launching those Sputnik throw-ins of his, and never again having to worry about having enough cash to keep himself in Jheri curl juice.

Between the Pipes

…and then there's the goal.  A while ago, if you had asked any serious fan about the prospect of Zac MacMath being the starter in 2012, he or she would look at you with a kind sort of pity in their eyes, as if to say "Why ever would we do that?"  Short of Mondy's hip going out, MacMath was presumed to be the starter-in-training until at least 2013. 

Two factors changed this- one of which made MacMath's startership necessary, and another which made it welcome.  Mondragon bid us adios, thrusting young Zac onto center-stage whether he likes it or not.  This would scare us, bringing back long-buried memories of another young 'keeper whose potential was shattered under the weight of premature expectations, if not for factor #2- MacMath's notable performance last year. 

When Mondragon had to sit out a few with a busted-up hand, MacMath shouldered the load with aplomb.  Not only did he maintain respectable stats, he did so fearlessly.  He charged out of the box when he should have, he stood his ground when he should have, and at no point did he seem for a second unsure of himself.  In the split-second world of a goalie, confidence is half the battle.  In MacMath's case, we can consider it won.  The other half is some combination of skill and physical fitness.  Check and check.  He's not Iker Casillas yet, but he'll certainly do in a pinch.

Long story short, the core of our defensive capability remains intact.  It may suffer in terms of organization from the loss of Mondragon, but between the 5 of them, they should be able to figure out where they need to be.  If not…hell, Danny can just throw an elbow.