SEATTLE, WASH.– Seattle Sounders FC today announced that it is exercising the 2021 contract options of several players, putting the club’s roster at 19 contracted players heading into next season. Following Seattle’s fourth MLS Cup Final appearance in five years, the Rave Green have now officially entered the 2020-2021 offseason, with preparations underway for the next campaign.
“While it wasn’t the ending we were all hoping for, we had good season despite all that the club was faced with. I’d like to thank our players for their hard work, as well as our staff for keeping everyone safe amidst a global heath pandemic,” said General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “As always, we will strive to get better this offseason and come back stronger in 2021.”
The following players saw their options exercised for 2020: Will Bruin, Stefan Frei, Shandon Hopeau, Nouhou, Shane O’Neill and Alex Roldan. Thirteen additional players are under contract for next season, including Yeimar Gómez Andrade, Xavier Arreaga, Josh Atencio, Jordy Delem, Ethan Dobbelaere, Danny Leyva, Nicolás Lodeiro, Jordan Morris, Trey Muse, Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez, Cristian Roldan, Raúl Ruidíaz and Brad Smith.
Sounders FC has declined the contract options of the following players: Justin Dhillon, Miguel Ibarra and Joevin Jones. Additionally, Stefan Cleveland, Jimmy Medranda, Kelvin Leerdam, Gustav Svensson and Román Torres are all out of contract. For a number of these players, conversations about returning to the club in 2021 are ongoing. Sounders FC is also currently in ongoing discussions with Brazilian club Botafogo to extend João Paulo’s stay in Seattle.
Seattle Sounders FC fell in the 2020 MLS Cup Final on Saturday evening with a 3-0 loss to Columbus Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium. Lucas Zelarayán scored twice and Derrick Etienne added one for Columbus, as Crew SC won its second league championship in franchise history. The loss snaps an eight-match Seattle winning streak in the MLS Cup Playoffs, as the Rave Green finish their 2020 campaign with a 14-7-8 record across all competitions. It marked the fourth MLS Cup appearance for Sounders FC in the last five seasons, having previously won in 2016 and 2019, and losing in 2017.
CURRENT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS (2): Stefan Frei, Trey Muse
DEFENDERS (6): Yeimar Gómez Andrade, Xavier Arreaga, Nouhou, Shane O’Neill, Alex Roldan, Brad Smith
MIDFIELDERS (7): Josh Atencio, Jordy Delem, Ethan Dobbelaere, Shandon Hopeau, Danny Leyva, Nicolás Lodeiro, Cristian Roldan
FORWARDS (4): Will Bruin, Jordan Morris, Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez, Raúl Ruidíaz
