The MLS Cup playoffs are slowly drawing to a close after a long yet entertaining season. That said, a lot of teams will now need to shift their focus to the future, and more specifically, the offseason MLS rosters and their squad decisions. With all 29 teams required to announce their moves in the offseason over the next couple of months, expect there to be a lot of activity from the sides.
As we know, a typical MLS season sees the 29 MLS teams divided into the Eastern and Western conferences, which then play a series of home and away matches in a league format. This is what is known as the regular season. The team that finishes the season at the top of the league by the end of the season is awarded the Supporters’ Shield- won by Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in 2024.
Thereafter, we move to the MLS Cup, wherein the top 7 teams from each conference, and one more wildcard entry each are able to compete for the all-important MLS Cup. Much like a UEFA Champions League season, a series of knockout games decide the eventual winner. With the semifinals set to get underway next week, a whole host of teams have already seen their seasons come to an end. As such, there have already been many MLS rosters that have already made some decisions regarding their squads, and today, we will be covering some of them.
MLS Rosters: Decisions, news, and latest team updates
Seeing that many teams are still competing in the MLS Cup, they will naturally be omitted from this list. However, in future updates, we will be keeping you up to speed with all the MLS rosters and whatever new decisions, recruitments, and moves they make. Notably, even the teams mentioned in this list might choose to make further changes and recruitments in the coming weeks, which will again, be covered in our future updates. For now, let’s take a look at what some of the MLS rosters are looking like.
Sporting KC
Contract options exercised (7): Stephen Afrifa, William Agada, Zorhan Bassong, Logan Ndenbe, Memo Rodríguez, Ryan Schewe, Robert Voloder
Contract Options Declined (4): Robert Castellanos, Ozzie Cisneros, Danny Flores, Chris Rindov
Out of Contract (4): Andreu Fontàs, Tim Melia, Johnny Russell, Rémi Walter
Owing to a largely disappointing campaign that saw them finish 13th in the Western Conference, Sporting KC is looking to transition into a younger, hungrier side, which will seemingly not include a couple of their legends.
Among the eight players departing the club will be Johnny Russell and Tim Melia, as both are out of contract and will not be returning. Whilst Russell is the club’s third-highest all-time leading goalscorer, Melia has had the fourth-most appearances. Both of them were heavily involved in 2024, but also two of the oldest players in the squad.
Notably, the recent key signing Remi Walter and former Defender of the Year candidate Andreu Fontas will be departing as well.
FC Dallas
Contract options exercised (7): Antonio Carrera, Herbert Endeley, Logan Farrington, Tsiki Ntsabeleng, Sebastien Ibeagha, Sam Junqua, Nkosi Tafari
Contract options declined (8): Liam Fraser, Omar Gonzalez, Dante Sealy, Ema Twumasi, Eugene Ansah, Isaiah Parker, Amet Korça, Malik Henry-Scott
In negotiations (4): Patrickson Delgado, Asier Illarramendi, Ruan, Jimmy Maurer
Much like Sporting KC, there will be a big turnover at FC Dallas as well. As such, there is expected to be an exodus of at least 8 players, which include big names like MLS veteran Omar Gonzalez and homegrown Dante Sealy, among others as they make way for new recruits.
Notably, there have been talks of a potential return for players like on-loan midfielder Patrickson Delgado and veteran Spanish midfielder Asier Illarramendi.
That said, this is not the full extent of Dallas’ business in the winter as under-contract players are also likely to depart one way or another, all the while the club continues its search for a new head coach.
Houston Dynamo
Contract options exercised (4): Franco Escobar, Sebastian Kowalczyk, Micael, Gabe Segal
Contract options declined (6): Ján Greguš, Héctor Herrera, Júnior Moreno, Brad Smith, Ousmane Sylla, Xavier Valdez
Out of contract (1): McKinze Gaines
In negotiations (5): Latif Blessing, Steve Clark, Daniel Steres, Tate Schmitt, Andrew Tarbell
Despite a fairly competitive season, Houston Dynamo will be looking to make big changes to their MLS roster in the offseason. Most notably, star player Héctor Herrera, formerly of Atletico Madrid, will be making way as the club will not be triggering the option to extend his deal till 2025. Having arrived in 2022, Herrera did a lot of good, breaking into the Best XI season in 2023, helping to lead the club as they won the U.S. Open Cup and went all the way to the Western Conference final.
However, his last action in Dynamo colors was getting sent off for spitting at the referee in a playoff elimination game.
Other than that, all signs point to another attacker coming through the door with Sebas Ferreira likely to make an exit. With contracts denied and allowed to expire, it is looking like a busy offseason for the Dynamos. That said, the core which is mostly intact, along with an injection of youth is likely to be the target for GM Pat Onstad and co.
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Austin FC
Contract options exercised (2): Jimmy Farkarlun, Dani Pereira
Contract options declined (5): Matt Bersano, Ethan Finlay, Matt Hedges, Alex Ring, Jhojan Valencia
In negotiations (1): Hector Jimenez
By the end of the offseason, Austin FC will be looking a lot different than how they usually do, owing to a number of key departures, declined contracts, and a few extended deals.
Most notably, Alex Ring, an original Austin FC member, and the new club’s very first captain, is set to depart after his 2025 contract option was declined. As such the move frees up a significant amount on the wage cap, made even greater with the departures of veteran defender Matt Hedges, midfielder Jhojan Valencia, and Ethan Finlay.
That said, despite the signings of Osman Bukari (club-record fee), Oleksandr Svatok, and Mikkel Desler this summer, there seems to be room for a significant rebuild for the Austin FC MLS roster. With Nico Estevez at the helm, it will be interesting to see how the squad shapes up.
Portland Timbers
Contract options exercised (1): Hunter Sulte
Contract options declined (3): Tega Ikoba, Marvin Loría, Mason Toye
Despite a hopeful start to the season with Phil Neville at the helm, their 5-0 elimination to Vancouver Whitecaps in the wildcard round brought a sour end to things. That said, there will be a lot to be done in the offseason for their MLS roster and things have already gotten underway.
For one, Mason Toye’s contract option for 2025 has been declined whilst club legend Diego Chara has been signed to a new contract. That said, the club will be looking to make a big-name signing under the Designated Player Rule, and need to figure out a solution to the drama surrounding attacking midfielder Evander and his reported flare-ups with the club hierarchy. All in all, it is shaping up to be a significant offseason for the TImbers.
Nashville SC
Contract options exercised (2): Julian Gaines, Lukas MacNaughton
Contract options declined (6): Forster Ajago, Tah Brian Anunga, Aníbal Godoy, Ben Martino, Amar Sejdić, Joey Skinner
Contract expired (2): Brent Kallman, Dru Yearwood
In negotiations (1): Josh Bauer
For the most part, Nashville SC endured their toughest year in the MLS yet, missing out on the playoffs for the first time in the club’s history. That said, owing to the arrival of head coach BJ Callaghan in the summer, there has been significant movement within the club as they gear up to right their wrongs.
Firstly, the club has declined contract options for 6 players, opening up a significant gap on the wage bill. As such, it will allow them to field a renewed and hopefully much more competitive roster in the new season. Whilst longstanding players like Anibal Godoy and Tah Brian Anunga will be deeply missed, it is time for the club to look in a new direction. Currently, reports suggest that the club is looking to bring back their former center-half Josh Bauer for a return in 2025.
Seeing that their three designated player slots are filled by MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar, five-time MLS Best XI selection Walker Zimmerman, and 2024 leading goalscorer Sam Surridge, the club will now be looking to recruit an adequate supporting cast of players that can help elevate the team to its former standards.
Toronto FC
Contract options exercised (7): Alonso Coello, Kobe Franklin, Luka Gavran, Deandre Kerr, Kevin Long, Tyrese Spicer, Kosi Thompson
Contract options declined (4): Aimé Mabika, Shane O’Neill, Greg Ranjitsingh, Brandon Servania
To be determined by the Nov. 27 deadline (2): Prince Owusu, Luke Singh
Following a disastrous few years, Toronto FC, under GM Jason Hernandez and head coach John Herdman seemingly turned a new leaf last year, making some steady progress. That said, their dropoff in the second half of the season was more than shocking and left a clear indication of what the offseason objective for their MLS roster should look like. With veterans and big-name players like Federico Bernadeschi and Lorenzo Insigne still at the club, it will be a big decision deciding whether to build with or without the Italian duo.
In the meantime, contract options for talented youngsters have already been extended, with the likes of Deandre Kerr, Kobe Franklin and No. 1 SuperDraft pick Tyrese Spicer tied down to new deals. Then comes the question of Prince Owusu, who despite being on significant wages has led the club’s goalscoring tally. Whilst there are still two weeks to determine his future, it will be interesting to see what further updates can come out of the Toronto FC MLS roster.
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D.C. United
Contract options exercised (2): Aaron Herrera, Garrison Tubbs
Contract options declined (9): Alex Bono, Cristian Dájome, Nathan Crockford, Jeremy Garay, Tyler Miller, Christopher McVey, Martin Rodriguez, Hayden Sargis, Luis Zamudio
Contract expired (2): Russell Canouse, Pedro Santos
Once associated with Wayne Rooney, D.C. United has made its plans clear for the offseason and has already started acting upon it with the intention of trying to free up its wage bill as much as possible, as they look to overhaul their MLS roster as best they can.
Taking into account the contract options declined and those that have expired, DC United will be seeing a total of 11 players depart, with the futures of many more still to be decided. Having seen a total of 30 players depart since last winter, there has been a lot of movement at the club, which GM Ally Mackay and head coach Troy Lesesne will need to consolidate and reconsider.
Currently, names like Christian Benteke, Mateusz Klich, Matai Akinmboni, Ted Ku-DiPietro, and Jackson Hopkins remain along with Aaron Herrera and Garrison Tubbs, who saw their 2025 options picked up. That said, the club will actively need to look at goalkeeping recruitments, seeing that the current squad has none. Thus among the incomings, one can expect to see three keepers and a few other names to round out the DC United MLS roster for next year.
Chicago Fire
Contract options exercised (2): Jonathan Dean, Jeff Gal
Contracts expired (4): Rafael Czichos, Fabian Herbers, Ariel Lassiter, Spencer Richey
Loan expired (1): Allan Arigoni
In negotiations (2): Javier Cases, Wyatt Omsberg
Having finished dead last in the Eastern Conference, there is a clear need for a rebuild and a major squad overhaul that the head coach Gregg Berhalter will have to turn his attention to. Whilst there are some clear indications as to what the plan is, there are other decisions that may not be as clear-cut.
Firstly, contract expiries see the departure of 4 players whilst only 2 players have seen their contract options picked up so far. However, with significant space cleared up on the wage bill, there is a lot of hope that the club will do some smart business in the offseason and at the same time make good use of the two designated player slots that they have as they look to usher into a new, hopefully more competitive era.
St. Louis City
Contract options exercised (7): Chris Durkin, Hosei Kijima, Ben Lundt, Jay Reid, Akil Watts, Michael Wentzel, Indiana Vassilev
Contract option declined (1): John Klein
In negotiations (1): Jake Nerwinski
Much like the previous entry, St. Louis also had a torrid time this season, languishing in the bottom end of the Western Conference. That said, they were the first ones to start sorting out their MLS roster in the offseason as they looked to make changes which so far has seen only one outgoing. Notably, St. Louis has picked up seven of nine options, with Veteran fullback Jake Nerwinski in talks for a new contract after his contract option was previously declined.
That said, names like Chris Durkin, and Indiana Vassilev along with the likes of Marcel Hartel, Cedric Teuchert, Simon Becher, Jannes Horn, Henry Kessler, and Jake Girdwood-Reich will likely have important roles to play in the squad moving forward. However, there is still time and need for improvement to the STL MLS roster and it seems as though the new full-time head coach is expected to give his input on the matter. Currently, interim coach John Hackworth is the front-runner for the job, and will likely be confirmed in due time. That said, STL’s final bit of business to round out the roster is expected to follow shortly after that.
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