Seattle Sounders pick up options on 10 players; Alonso out of contract

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Roster Update

The Seattle Sounders on Monday announced they had picked up contract options for 2019 on a 10 players, including a number of key figures from their second-half surge this year. Meanwhile, club legend Osvaldo Alonso‘s future is yet to be determined, however, with the club confirming that he is out of contract and eligible for Free Agency heading into the offseason.

Among those the Sounders picked up options on was the preferred center back pairing of Chad Marshall, a 2018 MLS Defender of the Year finalist, and Kim Kee-Hee, as well as key midfield contributors Cristian Roldan and Gustav Svensson.

“We’re excited to bring back the majority of players on our squad to make another strong run in 2019,” said Sounders GM & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey in a team statement. “It’s always difficult to make these decisions at the end of every season, but ultimately we’re excited about the group we have in place and what we can accomplish next year.”

Longtime Sounders player and MLS vet Lamar Neagle, who made six substitute appearances in 2018, was the most notable name among those who had their options declined. The others were goalkeeper Calle Brown, defender Tony Alfaro and forward Felix Chenkam. In addition to Alonso, midfielder Aaron Kovar, who spent 2018 on loan with LAFC, is also out of contract.

Alonso and Neagle are eligible for MLS free agency, while forward Clint Dempsey retired earlier this year.

Here’s what the Sounders roster looks like heading into the offseason:

• Already under contract: Stefan Frei – GK; Waylon Francis – D, Kelvin Leerdam – D, Nouhou – D, Roman Torre – D, Brad Smith – D; Handwalla Bwana – M, Nicolas Lodeiro – M, Victor Rodriguez – M; Will Bruin – F, Jordan Morris – F, Raul Ruidiaz – F
• 2019 options picked up: Bryan Meredith – GK; Kim Kee-hee – D, Chad Marshall- D, Jordan McCrary – D; Jordy Delem – M, Alex Roldan – M, Cristian Roldan – M, Harry Shipp – M, Gustav Svensson – M, Henry Wingo – M
• 2019 options declined: Calle Brown – GK; Tony Alfaro – D; Lamar Neagle – M (eligible for Free Agency); Felix Chenkam – F
• Out of contract: Osvaldo Alonso – M (eligible for Free Agency), Aaron Kovar – M