VANCOUVER, BC
– Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that the club
has re-signed striker Caleb Clarke
. The club also confirmed it has finalized the
future considerations trade with Toronto FC from last March
that saw Vancouver acquire
Matías Laba
, exercised the 2015 contract options on nine players, and declined the contract options on five players.
“Last year we built a solid core group of players and we continue to head in the right direction,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. “Consistency is important and we are excited to have the vast majority of our roster returning next season.”
Whitecaps FC picked up the options on goalkeepers Marco Carducci, David Ousted and Paolo Tornaghi, defender Ethen Sampson, midfielders Mehdi Ballouchy, Gershon Koffie and Andre Lewis, as well as strikers Erik Hurtado and Darren Mattocks.
The club also announced that it has declined the options on centre back Johnny Leverón, attacking midfielders Sebastián Fernández, Nicolás Mezquida, and Mauro Rosales, as well as striker Mamadou Diouf. The club remains in contact with all five players, as well as out-of-contract centre back Andy O’Brien, 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,” added Robinson.
Per MLS roster rules and regulations, Rosales will be eligible for the MLS Re-Entry Process unless he opts out or signs a new deal. Phase One of the Re-Entry Draft will occur on December 12; Phase Two is set for December 18. Meanwhile, Diouf will be eligible for the MLS Waiver Draft on December 10 and should he clear waivers, he will be invited to the ’Caps 2015 preseason training camp.
In addition to the Re-Entry Process and Waiver Draft, the 2014 Expansion Draft will take place on December 10.
Stay tuned to whitecapsfc.com and follow Whitecaps FC on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news throughout the offseason.
The following 21 Whitecaps FC players are under contract for the 2015 season.
Goalkeeper (3): Marco Carducci, David Ousted, Paolo Tornaghi
Defenders (6): Sam Adekugbe, Steven Beitashour, Christian Dean, Jordan Harvey, Ethen Sampson, Kendall Waston
Midfielders (8): Mehdi Ballouchy, Marco Bustos, Kianz Froese, Gershon Koffie, Matias Laba, Andre Lewis, Pedro Morales, Russell Teibert
Strikers (4): Caleb Clarke, Erik Hurtado, Kekuta Manneh, Darren Mattocks
Participate in the best sporting experience in Vancouver! 2015 Whitecaps FC Season Tickets are on sale now. In addition to Season Tickets, Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including Half-Season Packs, 5-Packs, Student Half-Season Tickets, and a Youth Soccer Half-Season Ticket. For more information on 2015 Season Tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
