Union Picks Up 9 Player Options for 2017

Report From Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union today announced that they have exercised the contract options on nine players from their 2016 roster, while 11 other contracts were already guaranteed for next season, giving the club a roster that currently features 20 players under contract for the 2017 campaign.

The club picked up the options of goalkeepers Andre Blake and John McCarthy; defenders Fabinho, Raymon Gaddis, Keegan Rosenberry and Ken Tribbett; and midfielders Eric Ayuk, Brian Carroll and Chris Pontius.

Simultaneously, the Union announced that they have declined the contract options of goalkeeper Matt Jones, defenders Anderson and Taylor Washington and midfielders Cole Missimo and Walter Restrepo. All five players will be eligible for the MLS Waiver Draft, to be held on Thursday, December 15 at 2:00 p.m. ET. A full League list of players eligible for Free Agency, the Waiver Draft and the Re-Entry Draft will be announced by MLS.

Midfielder Leo Fernandes and forward Charlie Davies are out of contract at this time and the Union are currently in discussions with both players. Additionally, Tranquillo Barnetta and Kevin Kratz are both set to depart the club.