CARSON, Calif. – Chivas USA declined the contract options for six players on Wednesday, making them available for the MLS Re-Entry Draft on Dec. 5 and Dec. 12.
Highlighting the list is left back Ante Jazic, who enjoyed the finest season of his six-year MLS career. Jazic made 28 appearances for the Goats in 2011 and led the club with seven assists. The choice to decline Jazic's option is a monetary decision, and Chivas will likely try to bring the defender back at a reduced salary.
The Rojibancos also declined options on Mariano Trujillo, Chukwudi Chijindu, Zach Thornton and Andy Boyens, while opting not to renew Simon Elliott’s contract. Of the five, only Elliott — a veteran of MLS, the English Premier League and New Zealand's 2010 World Cup run — saw significant time last season, and none seem likely to return to the fold.
The club can negotiate new agreements with players until Dec. 2. Players have until then to opt out of the Re-Entry Process.
Four Chivas Academy players named to Academy Showcase Select roster
Four members of the Chivas USA youth program were selected for the Winter Academy Select roster at the 2011 Winter Academy Showcase in Sarasota, Fla., on Dec. 3. Midfielder Marki Delgado, goalkeeper Jake McGuire and forward Ben Spencer from the Chivas U-18s were selected while U-16 forward Malcolm Jones was also chosen.
The four Chivas academy standouts will join a group of 78 players selected from across the country which will be divided into four teams to play two games during the showcase. The rest of Chivas' U-16 and U-18s will face off against the Dallas Texans, Houston Dynamo youth and Clearwater Chargers (Fla.) during the weekend-long tournament.
Adam Serrano covers Chivas USA for MLSsoccer.com. He can be reached at adam.m.serrano@gmail.com.
