After the Sounders’ 1-0 loss to the LA Galaxy, current club captain Stefan Frei was asked what emotions were going through his mind. Frei, and I am paraphrasing, said, “One of the things he is going to miss was this group of guys. Professional sports is a business, and there is no guarantee what the team will look like next year.

SOUNDERS ROSTER DECISIONS

While he is no prophet, Frei has been around the game of soccer long enough to know that there is player turnover each season. On Wednesday, that process was put in motion when the Sounders announced their roster decision for the upcoming season.

” Although we’re disappointed not to be playing in MLS Cup this weekend, I’m thankful for the work our players, coaches and staff have put in this season,” said General Manager & Chief Soccer Officer Craig Waibel. “While this organization measures itself in trophies, I’m proud to say we competed and advanced deep into every competition available to us in 2024. We now look ahead to 2025, a massive season filled with tremendous opportunities for this club.”

RETAINED PLAYERS

Waible and his boss, Majority owner Adrian Hanauer, retained the core of their young roster.

Reed Baker-Whiting, Jonathan Bell, Jacob Castro, Léo Chú, Braudilio Rodrigues and Paul Rothrock. 16 additional players are under contract for next season, including Yeimar Gómez Andrade, Josh Atencio, Cody Baker, Pedro de la Vega, Stefan Frei, Stuart Hawkins, Danny Leyva, Georgi Minoungou, Jordan Morris, Danny Musovski, Nouhou, Jackson Ragen, Alex Roldan, Cristian Roldan, Andrew Thomas and Obed Vargas were all retained which is no surprise.

DECLINED CONTRACTS

Veterans Joáo Paulo, Albert Rusnák, and Raul Ruidiaz are out of contract. Ruidiaz packed his bags and said his goodbyes to the Sounders FC fan base via social media. The parting of Ruidiaz is not a surprise is something that was a forgone conclusion once he lost his starting role. Paulo is at the tale end of his career but has value as a close late in the games. The question is whether he will take a pay cut as a substitute .

CAREER BEST STATS

Rusnåk had his best year as a Sounders, finishing the season with a career-high and team-high 16 assists, which placed him in a tie for third in the league with Lionel Messi. Rusnák also scored 10 goals and played a vital part in the Sounders resurgence down the stretch. Letting him go would be two steps backward for the team. The squad also declined contract options for Sota Kitahara, Nathan and Dylan Teves

SOUNDERS CURRENT ROSTER

CURRENT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC ROSTER

GOALKEEPERS (3): Stefan Frei, Andrew Thomas, Jacob Castro

DEFENDERS (7): Yeimar Gómez Andrade, Cody Baker, Jonathan Bell, Stuart Hawkins, Nouhou, Jackson Ragen, Alex Roldan

MIDFIELDERS (9): Josh Atencio, Reed Baker-Whiting, Léo Chú, Pedro de la Vega, Danny Leyva, Georgi Minoungou, Cristian Roldan, Paul Rothrock, Obed Vargas

FORWARDS (3): Jordan Morris, Danny Musovski, Braudilio Rodrigues

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