The Biggest Roster Casualties And Shakeups From MLS Contract Deadline Day

Monday marked Contract Deadline Day in Major League Soccer, meaning that all clubs (apart from the four still participating in the MLS Cup playoffs) had to announce which player contract options they’d picked up and which players they’d effectively cut. 

While the Chicago Fire and DC United still haven’t gone public with their decisions, clubs like the LA Galaxy, Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake have completed a myriad of roster moves following disastrous seasons. The scorched earth policy employed by those sides means that 2018 will provide a fresh slate for 2017’s biggest losers.

Apart from the contract options, there are also some big names who are simply out of contract now. Some will explore free agency while others will explore opportunities overseas. 

Here are 20 big changes (10 players whose contracts weren’t exercised/10 players who are out of contract) to start the MLS offseason in earnest.  

2017 MLS Contract Deadline Day Moves

OPTIONS NOT EXERCISED 

Jermaine Jones | LA Galaxy

Photo: @18clubsg | Twitter

Darren Mattocks | Portland Timbers

Photo: @pustulkaa | Twitter

Dillon Powers | Orlando City

Photo: @fanly_orlandofc | Twitter

Mike Grella | New York Red Bulls

Photo: @SleterFC | Twitter

David Ousted | Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Photo: @JohnMolinaro | Twitter

Christian Bolanos | Vancouver Whitecaps FC 

Photo: @HarJournalist | Twitter

Matias Laba | Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Photo: @InsideSportsTD | Twitter

Goalkeepers Clement Diop, Brian Rowe, Jon Kempin | All LA Galaxy

Photo: @fanly_galaxy | Twitter

Coy Craft | FC Dallas

Photo: @ElEnergyFC | Twitter

Charlie Davies | Philadelphia Union

Photo: @TransferLive5 | Twitter

OUT OF CONTRACT

Kyle Beckerman | Real Salt Lake

Photo: @RealSaltLake | Twitter

Nick Rimando | Real Salt Lake

Photo: @HailMaryTD | Twitter

Ashley Cole | LA Galaxy

Photo: @fanly_galaxy | Twitter

Fredy Montero | Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Photo: @futbolMLS | Twitter

Chris Pontius | Philadelphia Union

Photo: @ChuckBoothSport | Twitter

Teal Bunbury | New England Revolution

Photo: @SKCmatchday | Twitter

Erik Palmer-Brown | Sporting Kansas City

Photo: @kansasJayhawkBB | Twitter

Bill Hamid | DC United

Photo: @fre_tips | Twitter

Kaka | Orlando City

Photo: @JulioSheeeD | Twitter

David Bingham | San Jose Earthquakes 

Photo: @StatesideSoccer | Twitter