The Audi MLS Cup Playoffs are ongoing, but 25 teams already have their focus on the offseason and 2024 planning.
On a rolling basis, MLSsoccer.com will update this year-end roster tracker. Players who are staying, those who are going and others who have received new contract offers from their club are included.
NOV. 28 – The moves were previously announced, but Colorado have formally bid farewell to midfielder Jack Price and forward Diego Rubio as their new era begins under head coach Chris Armas. Price was their captain and Rubio has 53 career MLS goals.
Veteran goalkeeper William Yarbrough, who's played in 101 regular-season games for the club, saw his contract option declined. But Colorado remain in talks with him, as well as homegrowns Oliver Larraz and Sebastian Anderson after that duo's featured extensively in MLS NEXT Pro.
With 24 players under contract for next season, expect the Rapids to be busy after finishing last (14th) in the Western Conference in 2023.
Contract Options Exercised (Nov. 28)
- Andrew Gutman (D)
- Calvin Harris (F)
- Ralph Priso (M)
Contract Options Declined (Nov. 28)
- Sebastian Anderson (D)
- Steven Beitashour (D)
- Oliver Larraz (M)
- Jack Price (M)
- Abraham Rodriguez (GK)
- Gustavo Vallecilla (D)
- William Yarbrough (GK)
Out of Contract (Nov. 28)
- Luis Díaz (F)
- Diego Rubio (F)
Loan Expired (Nov. 28)
- Danny Leyva (M)
In Discussions (Nov. 28)
- Sebastian Anderson (D)
- Oliver Larraz (M)
- William Yarbrough (GK)
NOV. 22 – Some key roster spots have opened up for Chicago Fire FC, who enter 2024 hoping to end a six-year streak of missing the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. This is on top of appointing a head coach and signing a Designated Player striker/No. 9.
The Eastern Conference club has declined transfer options for defender Alonso Aceves and midfielder Ousmane Doumbia after they were on loan. Aceves, who arrived from Liga MX’s Pachuca, held a U22 Initiative slot. Doumbia, a midseason signing from Swiss sister side FC Lugano, was a DP.
Additionally, Chicago have exercised their purchase option on winger Maren Haile-Selassie. He joined in preseason from FC Lugano and finished as the Fire’s leading scorer with 6g/4a.
As previously announced, veteran striker Kei Kamara is out of contract and seeking a new club. The 39-year-old is third in the all-time MLS scoring charts with 144 goals, trailing Landon Donovan (145) for second place.
Contract Options Exercised (Nov. 22)
- Jonathan Dean (D)
- Jeff Gall (GK)
- Fabian Herbers (M)
- Wyatt Omsberg (D)
- Spencer Richey (GK)
Purchase Option Exercised (Nov. 22)
- Maren Haile-Selassie (M)
Loans Expiring, Not Returning (Nov. 22)
- Alonso Aceves (D)
- Ousmane Doumbia (M)
Out of Contract (Nov. 22)
- Kei Kamara (F)
Contract Options Declined (Nov. 22)
- Kendall Burks (D)
- Alex Monis (M)
- Allan Rodríguez (M)
In Discussions (Nov. 22)
- Javier Casas Jr. (M)
NOV. 17 – The first offseason for Austin FC sporting director Rodolfo Borrell is underway, and the former Manchester City assistant coach has created some wiggle room.
Austin declined the contract option of nine players, including U22 Initiative winger Rodney Redes and veteran attackers like Will Bruin, Memo Rodríguez and Maxi Urruti. Those moves, as well as the summertime trade of Diego Fagundez to the LA Galaxy, indicate Austin will look to retool their attack around star Sebastián Driussi.
An important note: Alex Ring’s contract option for 2024 was automatically exercised due to the midfielder meeting certain benchmarks.
Amid the shuffling, Austin have 20 contracted players for the 2024 campaign. Expect plenty of movement from the Verde & Black, who are trying to recapture their 2022 heights of making the Western Conference Final.
Contract Options Exercised (Nov. 17)
- Damian Las (GK)
- Daniel Pereira (M)
- Alex Ring (M)
Contract Options Declined (Nov. 17)
- Charlie Asensio (D)
- Will Bruin (F)
- Sofiane Djeffal (M)
- Kipp Keller (D)
- Adam Lundkvist (D)
- Alfonso Ocampo-Chávez (F)
- Rodney Redes (F)
- Memo Rodríguez (F)
- Maxi Urruti (F)
In Discussions (Nov. 17)
- Hector Jimenez (D)
NOV. 17 – Real Salt Lake have declined Damir Kreilach’s 2024 contract option, but the club legend’s MLS career could continue. RSL remain in discussions with their longtime captain about his future with the club. The Croatian midfielder has tallied 47g/24a in 151 regular-season games across the past six seasons, overcoming a back injury that derailed most of his 2022 campaign.
Danny Musovski is out of contract, likely spelling the end of his RSL career. The forward would bring value to another MLS club after producing 16g/9a in just over 3,000 minutes.
RSL, fresh off a third straight Audi MLS Cup Playoffs trip under head coach Pablo Mastroeni, return the vast majority of their 2023 roster. That includes midfielder Pablo Ruiz, whose contract option was exercised as he recovers from a long-term knee injury.
Contract Options Exercised (Nov. 17)
- Mikael Chang (M)
- Emeka Eneli (D/M)
- Tomás Gómez (GK)
- Bode Hidalgo (F)
- Jasper Löffelsend (D/M)
- Bryan Oviedo (D)
- Pablo Ruiz (M)
Contract Options Declined (Nov. 17)
- Julio Benitez (M)
- Damir Kreilach (M/F)
Out of Contract (Nov. 17)
- Scott Caldwell (M)
- Danny Musovski (F)
Loan Expired, Ongoing Talks (Nov. 17)
- Moses Nyeman (M)
NOV. 17 – US international center back Miles Robinson might have played his final Atlanta United game, as the 26-year-old is out of contract and eligible for free agency. Robinson reportedly has interest from European clubs and, if he stays in MLS, could seek a Designated Player deal similar to USMNT center back Walker Zimmerman at Nashville SC.
There’s also uncertainly around Xande Silva, a key part of Atlanta’s summertime rise. The winger’s loan from French side Dijon will expire at the end of 2023, and the Five Stripes haven’t determined his transfer option.
Another big headline is Matheus Rossetto is out of contract after playing 90 games across four seasons. Atlanta could look to strengthen their central midfield group this winter alongside summer signing Tristan Muyumba and Argentine star Thiago Almada, should the latter player not get transferred abroad.
Circling back to Robinson, Atlanta remain in renewal negotiations with him, homegrown defender Efraín Morales and goalkeeper Quentin Westberg. They've also declined the transfer option on Juanjo Purata after the center back was on loan from Liga MX powerhouse Tigres.
Before more offseason dominoes fall, ATLUTD have 22 players under contract for the 2024 campaign.
Contract Option Exercised (Nov. 17)
- Aiden McFadden (D)
Contract Options Declined (Nov. 17)
- Machop Chol (F)
- Jackson Conway (F)
- Clément Diop (GK)
- Justin Garces (GK)
- Efraín Morales (D)
Out of Contract (Nov. 17)
- Ozzie Alonso (M)
- Miguel Berry (F)
- Miles Robinson (D)
- Matheus Rossetto (M)
- Amar Sejdić (M)
- Quentin Westberg (GK)
Transfer Option Declined (Nov. 17)
- Juanjo Purata (D)
NOV. 10 – The Galaxy’s biggest year-end moves were previously announced, meaning winger Douglas Costa and forward Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez aren’t back in 2024. Crucially, that opens two Designated Player spots alongside midfielder Riqui Puig.
But LA’s roster turnover doesn’t stop there after a 13th-place finish in the Western Conference. They declined contract options for right back Calegari and veteran striker Billy Sharp, among others. Calegari is recovering from a torn ACL and occupied a U22 Initiative roster slot while on loan from Brazilian powerhouse Fluminese. Sharp, a Sheffield United legend, had 6g/2a in 711 minutes after joining midsummer.
Further, winger Michael Barrios and defender Tony Alfaro aren’t in the Galaxy's plans and amounted to half-season rentals. They joined via midsummer trades – Barrios from Colorado Rapids and Alfaro from New York City FC – as LA contended with transfer sanctions.
There's uncertainty around winger Tyler Boyd, who was extended a bona fide offer after posting 7g/4a in 34 games during his first MLS season. Wherever those negotiations net out, LA's roster currently stands at just 21 players.
Contract Options Exercised (Nov. 10)
- Daniel Aguirre (M)
- Preston Judd (F)
- Novak Mićović (GK)
- Gino Vivi (M)
Extended Bona Fide Offer (Nov. 10)
- Tyler Boyd (F)
Contract Options Declined (Nov. 10)
- Tony Alfaro (D)
- Calegari (D)
- Jonathan Klinsmann (GK)
- Kelvin Leerdam (D)
- Uri Rosell (M)
- Billy Sharp (F)
Out of Contract (Nov. 10)
- Michael Barrios (F)
- Douglas Costa (F)
- Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez (F)
- Adam Saldaña (M)
NOV. 10 – Vancouver's strong summer transfer business helped fuel a playoff push, acquiring three Canadian internationals. But from that trio, only wingback Sam Adekugbe is guaranteed to return for 2024.
The Whitecaps are in discussions with both wingback Richie Laryea and forward Junior Hoilett about rejoining. Laryea’s loan from Premier League side Nottingham Forest is through December 2023, while Hoilett is out of contract. Reports indicate Laryea might take their Designated Player spot opened by striker Sergio Córdova’s midseason transfer to Turkey, so track that space closely.
In a similar vein, Vancouver are in talks with midfielders Sebastian Berhalter (out of contract) and Russell Teibert (entering option year) about returning. If the number’s right, both players have a role to play under head coach Vanni Sartini.
Elsewhere, goalkeeper Thomas Hasal’s contract option was declined after Yohei Takaoka locked down the starting role. And the ‘Caps maintain depth at forward by retaining forwards Simon Becher and Levonte Johnson. Picking up defender Tristan Blackmon's contract options ('24 and '25) was a no-brainer, too.
Vancouver's roster currently stands at 19 players, with two players out on loan: midfielder Caio Alexandre at Brazil's Fortaleza EC through December 2023 and forward Déiber Caicedo at Colombia's Junior FC through July 2024.
Contract Options Exercised (Nov. 10)
- Simon Becher (F)
- Tristan Blackmon (D)
- Isaac Boehmer (GK)
- Levonte Johnson (F)
- Ryan Raposo (D/M)
Contract Options Declined (Nov. 10)
- Matteo Campagna (D)
- Kamron Habibullah (M)
- Thomas Hasal (GK)
Ongoing Discussions (Nov. 10)
- Sebastian Berhalter (M)
- Junior Hoilett (F)
- Richie Laryea (D/M)
- Russell Teibert (M)
- Karifa Yao (D)
NOV. 2 – Another winter of change beckons for Toronto FC, who are entering their first full season under head coach John Herdman and general manager Jason Hernandez.
The biggest updates involve two veterans – midfielder Víctor Vázquez and striker CJ Sapong – who had their contract option declined. Amid other moves, including club legend Michael Bradley's retirement, the Reds have just 21 players with guaranteed contracts for 2024. And, at first glance, defense and central midfield are areas of need for a big-spending club that last made the playoffs in 2020.
For now, there's no movement on DP forwards Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi. Transfer speculation surrounds the Italians, who arrived midsummer in 2022 and haven't yet met expectations as the cornerstones of president Bill Manning's vision for TFC.
Toronto earned an MLS-low 22 points in 2023, good for the Wooden Spoon (last place).
Contract Options Exercised (Nov. 2)
- Alonso Coello (M)
- Luka Gavran (GK)
Contract Options Declined (Nov. 2)
- Themi Antonoglou (D)
- Greg Ranjitsingh (GK)
- Tomás Romero (GK)
- CJ Sapong (F)
- Víctor Vázquez (M)
Out of Contract (Nov. 2)
- Cristián Gutierrez (D)
In Discussions (Nov. 2)
- Aimé Mabika (D)
OCT. 30 – Rebuilding depth is an early theme of Charlotte FC’s offseason after the second-year club declined contract options for six players, including livewire winger McKinze Gaines.
There’s a SuperDraft thread across the contract options CLTFC picked up, as striker Patrick Agyemang, midfielder Ben Bender and defender Andrew Privett are among those returning for 2024.
Both midfielder Derrick Jones and forward Justin Meram are out of contract and eligible for free agency. Charlotte remain in talks with Meram, who has over 350 MLS appearances, about a new deal. Jones, for his part, earned nearly 1,900 minutes this year.
With 26 players under contract for next season, Charlotte will look to build off their first-ever playoff appearance. And while there’s transfer speculation around DP forward Karol Swiderski, the Poland international remains in the Queen City for now.
Contract Options Exercised (Oct. 30)
- Patrick Agyemang (F)
- Ben Bender (M)
- Hamady Diop (D)
- George Marks (GK)
- Andrew Privett (D)
- Nick Scardina (M)
Contract Options Declined (Oct. 30)
- Harrison Afful (D)
- McKinze Gaines (F)
- Chris Hegardt (M)
- Pablo Sisniega (GK)
- Jan Sobocinski (D)
- Adrian Zendejas (GK)
Out of Contract (Oct. 30)
- Derrick Jones (M)
- Justin Meram (F)
OCT. 30 – Following a disappointing season, New York City FC have retained – at least for now – much of their youthful core that fell just short on Decision Day. Twenty-five players are under contract for 2024, including goalkeepers Matt Freese and Luis Barraza after their contract options were exercised.
But there is some turnover after former US international midfielder Alfredo Morales (part of their MLS Cup 2021-winning squad) saw his contract option declined. Left back Braian Cufré, who was on loan from LaLiga's RCD Mallorca, and attacker Matias Pellegrini, a one-time Young Designated Player signing for Inter Miami, also had their contract options declined.
NYCFC have additional loan situations to determine, with midfielder Nicolas Acevedo (to Bahia) and forward Thiago Andrade (to Athletico Paranaense) in Brazil through December 2023. Deals for midfielders Andrés Perea (from Philadelphia Union) and Richard Ledezma (from PSV Eindhoven) are also expiring.
Contract Options Exercised (Oct. 30)
- Luis Barraza (GK)
- Matt Freese (GK)
- Andres Jasson (F)
- Kevin O’Toole (D)
- Gabriel Segal (F)
Contract Options Declined (Oct. 30)
- Nico Benalcazar (D)
- Braian Cufré (D)
- Jonathan Jimenez (F)
- Alfredo Morales (M)
- Samuel Owusu (D)
- Matias Pellegrini (F)
- Stephen Turnbull (D)
OCT. 25 – After a sensational summer, Inter Miami CF have set the stage for roster reinforcements this winter.
The biggest headline is the club has formally declined Josef Martínez's contract option, potentially making way for their long-rumored signing of Luis Suárez. The Uruguayan star, of course, was teammates with Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba on several legendary FC Barcelona squads in the 2010s. Will Josef, an Atlanta United icon, sign elsewhere in MLS after his solitary season in South Florida?
Dixon Arroyo, acquired midseason after Gregore and Jean Mota's long-term injuries, is out of contract. But IMCF are in talks about the defensive midfielder possibly returning. Discussions are also ongoing with defender Leandro González Pirez after his loan to Argentine side River Plate (who hold a purchase option).
Another wrinkle to watch for: U22 Initiative winger Emerson Rodríguez is under contract for 2024, though Liga MX side Santos Laguna (where he's on loan) have a purchase option. Expect an update there since summertime signings Facundo Farías, Tomás Avilés and Diego Gómez occupy U22 slots.
Finland international winger Robert Taylor, who capitalized on Messi's arrival, had his contract option picked up. Ditto for homegrown Ian Fray, who's recovering from another serious knee injury.
Contract Options Exercised (Oct. 25)
- Ian Fray (D/M)
- Cole Jensen (GK)
- Robbie Robinson (F)
- Ryan Sailor (D)
- Lawson Sunderland (M)
- Robert Taylor (M/F)
Contract Options Declined (Oct. 25)
- Josef Martínez (F)
- Jake LaCava (F)
Out of Contract (Oct. 25)
- Victor Ulloa (M)
Ongoing Discussions (Oct. 25)
- Dixon Arroyo (M)
- Leandro González Pirez (D)
