After coming up short in overtime last September, the Redwoods made the biggest trade of the offseason, acquiring Myles Jones from Chaos LC.

Returning Players: 17

Brent Adams, Tyler Dunn, Garrett Epple, Ryder Garnsey, Eddy Glazener, Pat Harbeson, Kyle Harrison, Jules Heningburg, Matt Kavanagh, Jack Near, Nick Ossello, Sergio Perkovic, Clarke Petterson, John Sexton, Tim Troutner, Gunnar Waldt, Joe Walters

Additions: 5

Hugh Crance, Myles Jones, Greg Puskuldjian, Peyton Smith, Finn Sullivan

Positional Battle: Faceoff

In the wake of Greg Gurenlian’s retirement, the Redwoods were left with a giant question mark at the faceoff stripe. They brought in two options: Greg Puskuldjian (via the entry draft) and one of Gurenlian’s protégés, rookie Peyton Smith (Marist).

Projecting faceoff percentage is a fool’s errand. Neither Puskuldjian nor Smith has competed with the PLL’s faceoff rules. Puskuldjian has familiarity with the competition; Smith doesn’t (officially). Will one emerge, a la Connor Farrell in 2019? Or will they split time throughout the tournament?

Best Unit: Two-way midfielders

The Redwoods’ postseason run was fueled by two-way midfield play. Brent Adams was a stud between the arcs all summer. Sergio Perkovic made the move to play more defense later in August; that allowed him to play in space, attempt more 2-pointers on breaks, and dodge in four-on-four situations without a slide ready. Nick Ossello plays offense, defense, and faces off.

Even the Redwoods’ true “SSDMs” are two-way-ish: Pat Harbeson and Jack Near. Those two trap opposing old school offensive midfielders on the field. Every extended rep in a two-week tournament will take longer to recover from; the Redwoods will wear teams down and should once again peak at the right time because of it.