VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that the club has exercised the 2016 contract options on 10 players and declined the contract options on six players.
“We made a number of positive steps forward the last couple seasons and have a solid core in place,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. “However, we are constantly looking for ways to take this club to the next level and this offseason will be no exception. I’m confident that we will continue to build, improve, and bring even more success to Vancouver in 2016.”
Whitecaps FC picked up the options on goalkeepers Marco Carducci and David Ousted, defenders Sam Adekugbe, Jordan Smith, and Tim Parker, midfielders Gershon Koffie and Nicolás Mezquida, as well as strikers Erik Hurtado, Kekuta Manneh, and Darren Mattocks. The ’Caps also confirmed that Smith's loan has been extended through the end of 2016 with an option to transfer from Costa Rica’s Primera División side Deportivo Saprissa.
Meanwhile, the club confirmed that it has declined the options on keeper Paolo Tornaghi, defenders Steven Beitashour, Pa-Modou Kah, and Ethen Sampson, midfielder Andre Lewis, and striker Caleb Clarke. The club remains in contact with all six players, as well as out-of-contract midfielder Mauro Rosales and striker Robert Earnshaw, regarding their future with the club.
“There are still a number of discussions that are currently taking place and we will continue to provide updates when available," Robinson said.
The ’Caps are also in talks with the parent clubs of midfielders Deybi Flores and Cristian Techera regarding their loan opportunities for 2016, while defender Diego Rodríguez has returned to his Uruguayan Primera Division team Club Atlético Juventud de Las Piedras.
“We are thankful to the contributions Diego made to the club during his time here,” Robinson said. "He was a joy to work with and a great professional. We wish him all the best."
Per MLS roster rules and regulations, Beitashour, Kah, Rosales, and Tornaghi will be eligible for the MLS Re-Entry Process unless they opt out or sign a new deal. Stage One of the Re-Entry Draft will occur on December 11; Stage Two is set for December 17.
Meanwhile, Clarke, Earnshaw, Lewis, and Sampson will be eligible for the MLS Waiver Draft on December 9.
Stay tuned to whitecapsfc.com and follow Whitecaps FC on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news throughout the offseason.
The following 20 Whitecaps FC players are under contract for the 2016 season:
Goalkeepers (2): Marco Carducci, David Ousted
Defenders (6): Sam Adekugbe, Christian Dean, Jordan Harvey, Tim Parker, Jordan Smith, Kendall Waston
Midfielders (8): Marco Bustos, Kianz Froese, Gershon Koffie, Matías Laba, Ben McKendry, Nicolás Mezquida, Pedro Morales, Russell Teibert
Strikers (4): Erik Hurtado, Kekuta Manneh, Darren Mattocks, Octavio Rivero
Be a part of the best sporting atmosphere in Vancouver! 2016 Whitecaps FC Season Tickets are on sale from $39/month all in. In addition to Season Tickets, Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including Half-Season Packs, 5-Packs, a Youth Soccer Half-Season Ticket, and single match tickets. For more information, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
