Toronto FC exercise options on 16 players

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Toronto FC announced Wednesday that it has exercised contract options on 16 players, while six players are already under contract for the 2015 season.


Toronto FC has picked up the contract options on goalkeepers Joe Bendik, Chris Konopka, Quillan Roberts; defenders Justin Morrow, Mark Bloom, Nick Hagglund, Warren Creavalle, Ashtone Morgan, Chris Mannella; midfielders Jonathan Osorio, Kyle Bekker, Daniel Lovitz, Collen Warner, Manny Aparicio; and forward Luke Moore.


Marco Delgado’s option was automatically exercised following his selection in the Chivas USA dispersal draft.


The six players already under contract for the 2015 season are: defender Steven Caldwell; midfielders Michael Bradley, Jackson, Dominic Oduro; forwards Jermain Defoe, and Gilberto.


Toronto FC has declined options on defender Ryan Richter; midfielder Jeremy Hall; forwards Dwayne De Rosario and Andrew Wiedeman. In addition, forward Bright Dike’s contract will expire at the end of the season. All players listed are eligible for the re-entry draft.


Two players have returned to their clubs following the expiry of their loan, defender Bradley Orr has returned to Blackburn Rovers F.C. of England’s Championship Division, and defender Doneil Henry to Apollon Limassol of the Cypriot First Division. Forward Jordan Hamilton will return to Toronto FC after being recalled from his loan at Portuguese Segunda Liga side Clube Desportivo Trofense.


“Establishing a core group of players is vital for success in MLS and we are confident in the group of players that will be returning to Toronto FC next season,” said Toronto FC General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko.


"While we made some difficult decisions on players, we will continue to discuss and evaluate the possibilities for those players whose options were declined. The expiration of the CBA means we will need to wait and see if and how roster composition will be affected. Until that time, we need to remain flexible.”


Toronto FC’s 2015 roster as it currently stands:


Goalkeepers (3): Joe Bendik, Chris Konopka, Quillan Roberts


Defenders (7): Steven Caldwell, Mark Bloom, Justin Morrow, Nick Hagglund, Warren Creavalle, Ashtone Morgan, Chris Mannella


Midfielders (9): Michael Bradley, Jonathan Osorio, Dominic Oduro, Jackson, Kyle Bekker, Collen Warner, Daniel Lovitz, Manny Aparicio, Marco Delgado


Forwards (4): Jermain Defoe, Gilberto, Luke Moore, Jordan Hamilton