The 2009-10 season opens Sunday in Monterrey, Mexico, the start of a six-game road swing before the team's inaugural home opener at Temple's Liacouras Center against the Rockford (Ill.) Rampage on Jan. 9.

Many of the same players return to a team that was a few points shy of qualifying for last season's playoffs, a memory assuredly on the minds of such veterans as returning player-coach and North Catholic alum Don D'Ambra, who enters his 13th year with the team - seventh as the player-coach. Also returning is fellow Philadelphia native Pat Morris (North Catholic/ Philadelphia University), the 2008-09 Defender of the Year.

He will solidify a back line featuring Joe DiBuono, Clay Roberts and Kevin Coleman, the La Salle All-America entering his second year with the team.

"I am really happy with how our back line is looking for the upcoming season," D'Ambra said. "We have a nice mixture of youth and veteran leadership to join team captain Pat Morris."

The Kixx return veteran Ptah Myers to the midfield, which also will feature explosive Brazilian Ricardinho (13 goals, 22 assists in 2008) and Angel Rivillo.

"I am very excited that we were able to keep all our veteran midfielders," D'Ambra said. "Ricardinho was among the league leaders in points last season, and all these guys really do a great job of bringing consistency and leadership to the field. "

Leading the charge up front will be 7-year pro Anthony Maher, who finished with 33 points (13 goals, seven assists) last season.

Meanwhile, the team is expected to announce the retirement of veteran goalkeeper Peter Pappas, who began his career with the team in 1996, but has yet to re-sign.*