The Audi MLS Cup Playoffs are ongoing, but 13 teams already have their focus on the offseason and 2024 planning.
On an ongoing 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. 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)
In Discussions (Nov. 2)
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)
Ongoing Conversations (Oct. 25)
Dixon Arroyo (M)
Leandro González Pirez (D)
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