The MLS Cup Playoffs are set to get underway, but for the clubs that did not qualify for the postseason in 2024, the clock is ticking on offseason roster decisions. All 29 clubs will need to announce their end of season roster decisions over the next two months. First up will be the club’s already eliminated.
GIVEMESPORT’s MLS insider Tom Bogert has you covered on all the roster decisions around the league as they are announced through the offseason, with live reaction analysis.
D.C. United
Contract options exercised (2): Aaron Herrera, Garrison Tubbs
Contract options declined (9): Alex Bono, Cristian Dájome, Nathan Crockford, Jeremy Garay, Tyler Miller, Christopher McVey, Martin Rodriguez, Hayden Sargis, Luis Zamudio
Contract expired (2): Russell Canouse, Pedro Santos
OCT. 26 (9:53 am ET) — D.C. United will be one of the most interesting teams to watch this offseason. Their roster update was unsurprising in their desire to free up as much flexibility as possible and to overhaul the roster best they can.
Another 11 players departing this winter means, since GM Ally Mackay took over last winter, a whopping total of 30 players have departed the club. Only Christian Benteke, Mateusz Klich, Matai Akinmboni, Ted Ku-DiPietro and Jackson Hopkins remain currently with the squad that Mackay took over (though Kristian Fletcher, on loan at Nottingham Forest, remains under contract as well). Klich still being at the club wasn’t an active decision, with the Polish midfielder’s deal auto-guaranteeing for 2025 due to a contract clause rather than a club option.
D.C. United also now currently have ZERO goalkeepers on the roster. That position was due for an overhaul this winter, but it will need to be complete with a starter, backup and third string.
Of the 13 players who could have left the club this winter, just two are staying as Aaron Herrera and Garrison Tubbs saw their 2025 options picked up.
D.C. United have only 17 players under contract heading to the winter. They have a lot of work to do, but the roster is just about completely turned over from what Mackay and head coach Troy Lesesne inherited, in only three transfer windows.
Chicago Fire
Contract options exercised (2): Jonathan Dean, Jeff Gal
Contracts expired (4): Rafael Czichos, Fabian Herbers, Ariel Lassiter, Spencer Richey
Loan expired (1): Allan Arigoni
In negotiations (2): Javier Cases, Wyatt Omsberg
OCT. 25 (9:25 am ET) — The first roster decisions under director of football and head coach Gregg Berhalter kicks off a winter of change for the Chicago Fire. Some decisions were obvious, others not so much.
Chicago moved on from the likes of Rafael Czichos, Fabian Herbers and Allan Arigoni, amid at least five departures. Only two players saw their contract options picked up.
Czichos was an obvious one. The center back hasn’t been anywhere near what they hoped when he signed to anchor the defense and was the fourth-highest paid player on the team last year. Letting the 34-year-old depart frees up a lot of flexibility.
Herbers? Less obvious. The versatile MLS veteran played 30 matches, a steady presence in the team in 2024. His contract ($421k) wasn’t steep, but it helps free up flexibility for Chicago nonetheless. I imagine a few teams will be in for Herbers in free agency.
Arigoni made 25 starts in his lone season with the Fire on loan from FC Lugano.
Berhalter and the Fire can add up to two designated players this winter as the new regime overhauls the roster into a new era.
St. Louis City
Contract options exercised (7): Chris Durkin, Hosei Kijima, Ben Lundt, Jay Reid, Akil Watts, Michael Wentzel, Indiana Vassilev
Contract option declined (1): John Klein
In negotiations (1): Jake Nerwinski
OCT. 22 (4:20 pm ET) — St. Louis City officially kicks off the roster update portion of the 2024 MLS offseason. All clubs have until November 27 to submit their roster decisions to the league office (except for Conference Final participants), who will still be playing. Typically, one team does so almost immediately after the season to turn the page. St. Louis were first this year.
It was a pretty straightforward process, with St. Louis picking up seven of nine options, with John Klein’s declined. Veteran fullback Jake Nerwinski also saw his option declined but he is in talks with the club about a new contract.
For the players sticking around, Chris Durkin and Indiana Vassilev are the biggest names. Durkin, acquired last winter from D.C. United, was an immediate stalwart in the lineup. He started 26 matches, third-most on the club. Vassilev started the fifth-most matches on the team. Both were no-brainer decisions. Both have contract options for 2026 as well.
Truth be told, the most interesting off the field time for STL was the summer when they made the majority of their significant moves. In came Marcel Hartel, Cedric Teuchert, Simon Becher, Jannes Horn, Henry Kessler and Jake Girdwood-Reich. That’s at least four if not five starting spots.
St. Louis still have to name a full time head coach, with interim John Hackworth among the finalists.