Despite the rash of player moves since the start of training camp, the Spirit may not be done yet.
The Spirit went through last season with a stable roster. The only significant changes were the addition of John Abe when Rob Ukrop got hurt, the activation of Mike Stankovic when Tim Wittman injured his knee and the signing of Joe Koziol late in the season.
Five games into this season, the Spirit has matched that.
When Jean Harbor decided not to come to Baltimore, the Spirit brought in Brad Smith. When coach Dave MacWilliams said he wanted a defender, vice president Drew Forrester signed Steve Boardman. When Philip Gyau was released this week, Pat O'Kelly was signed.
Ask MacWilliams if he's finished, if the Spirit's 4-1 start leaves him satisfied with the roster, and he hesitates before answering.
"We're still gauging the team," said MacWilliams as the Spirit prepared for back-to-back road games against the Chicago Power tonight and the Canton Invaders tomorrow night.
"When we put this team together, we didn't know who would be around the whole year. If anyone can help us, or improve us even in just one area, we'll sign him."
Moves were made during training camp, as well. Harbor and Gyau were signed, Eric Dade was traded to the Kansas City Attack for Jon Parry, and Clark Brisson and Ukrop were dealt to the Dayton Dynamo for Kevin Sloan and goalie Joe Mallia.
One reason for all the activity is that MacWilliams is new to the National Professional Soccer League. Even on the Spirit, he was familiar only with Tim Wittman, Cris Vaccaro Chris Morgan.
As he began to get a feel for the team and the league, MacWilliams made a list.
He wanted a capable, experienced goalie, since Vaccaro could not be expected to play 40 games, and got Mallia.
Once MacWilliams saw the roughness of NPSL play in exhibitions against the Harrisburg Heat, he asked for a defender. Enter Boardman.
And from his first day on the job MacWilliams wanted a high-scoring American. In came Parry.
"I'm an American coach and I prefer American players," MacWilliams said. "American kids usually are better defenders and there aren't that many quality scorers. A kid like Jon has had to work that much harder to become what he is."
SPIRIT TONIGHT
Opponent: Chicago Power
Site: Rockford (Ill.) Metro Center
Time: 8:35
Radio: WWLG (1360 AM), WAMD (970 AM)
Outlook: This will be the first of four games in nine days for the Spirit. The Spirit (4-1), tied with the Dayton Dynamo for the lead in the National Professional Soccer League's American Division, beat Chicago in the opening two games of the season to raise its record against the Power to 6-1. Ken Snow leads Chicago (1-4) with 15 points. Joe Mallia will start in goal for the Spirit for the third straight game, replacing the injured (pulled hamstring) Cris Vaccaro. Jon Parry (ankle) and Jamie Christie (hamstring) also are out. Tarik Walker (knee, ankle) is probable.