Manager Gregg Berhalter and the Columbus Crew will have the chance to build on a breakthrough 2014 season after announcing on Tuesday that the club has exercised contract options on 16 players.
The group of 16 will join seven other players already under contract (Michael Parkhurst, Ethan Finlay,Wil Trapp, Emanuel Pogatetz, Ben Swanson, Kei Kamara, Mohammed Saeid) as the Crew look to return to the MLS Cup Playoffs after bowing out this year to the New England Revolution at the Conference Semifinal stage.
The players returning in 2015 after seeing their options picked up are: goalkeepers Steve Clark, Matt Lampson and Brad Stuver; defenders Chad Barson, Waylon Francis, Ben Sweat, Tyson Wahl and Josh Williams; midfielders Romain Gall, Kevan George, Hector Jimenez, Ben Speas, Tony Tchani and Designated Player Federico Higuain; and forwards Adam Bedell and Aaron Schoenfeld.
Meanwhile, there were seven players who had their options declined: defenders Matt Wiet and Ross Friedman; midfielders Kingsley “Fifi” Baiden, Daniel Paladini, Agustin Viana and Matt Walker; and forward Jairo Arrieta.
Baiden, Friedman, Viana, Walker and Wiet will be eligible for the MLS Waiver Draft on December 10. Arrieta and Paladini are eligible for the MLS Re-Entry Process, which begins with Phase 1 on December 12 (check out all the MLS roster rules here).
The club also announced that it's currently in discussions with three players who are out of contract: defender Eric Gehrig and midfielders Bernardo Anor and Justin Meram.
