Even as the Portland Timbers and their fans revel in the MLS Cup championship, work has started on the 2016 season.
Shortly after the team landed in Portland on Monday afternoon, general manager Gavin Wilkinson announced the Timbers have re-signed midfielder Jack Jewsbury and exercised the 2016 contract options on midfielder George Fochive, defenders Anthony Manning, Taylor Peay and forward Michael Seaton.
Most of the players in the starting lineup for the Cup final are under contract for the 2016 season.
The Timbers declined 2016 contract options on seven players, including forward Maximiliano Urruti and defender Norberto Paparatto.
“We are still in discussions with a number of players whose contract options were declined,” Wilkinson said.
Major League Soccer rules give teams until Thursday to re-sign any players eligible for the re-entry draft, including players whose options were not exercised.
The re-entry process includes two drafts, stage one coming at noon on Friday, and is one mechanism for MLS players moving among teams.
Rodney Wallace, who scored the second goal in Sunday’s championship win at Columbus, and Ben Zemanski are out of contract but have been extended bona fide offers.
In addition to Urruti and Paparatto, the Timbers declined contract options on goalkeeper Andrew Weber, defenders Jeanderson and Andy Thoma, and midfielders Nick Besler and Michael Nanchoff.
Players who are under contract for the 2016 season are forwards Fanendo Adi and Lucas Melano; midfielders Dairon Asprilla, Diego Chara, Darlington Nagbe, Will Johnson and Diego Valeri; defenders Nat Borchers, Liam Ridgewell, Alvas Powell and Jorge Villafa?a; and goalkeepers Adam Kwarasey and Jake Gleeson.
For the first time in MLS, 26 veteran players are free agents who can sign with any team. That list includes Weber, former Timbers Michael Harrington, Kenny Cooper and Alan Gordon who played with Portland in the second-division during his rookie season.
