CHICAGO
(Nov. 30, 2015)
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The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced today a series of roster decisions. The Club has exercised options on midfielders Kingsley Bryce, Matt Polster and Harry Shipp, as well as defender Patrick Doody.
The Fire also declined options on nine players, including: Adailton, Jon Busch, Razvan Cocis, Greg Cochrane, Jason Johnson, Alec Kann, Jeff Larentowicz, Lovel Palmer and Chris Ritter. The loan deal for Daneil Cyrus has expired.
“History has shown that the key to having a successful team in MLS requires a solid nucleus of players who have been together for some time,” said Fire general manager Nelson Rodriguez. “Returning Harry, Matt, Kingsley and Patrick and combining them with the players we already have under contract begins to move us in that direction. The players adversely affected are talented individuals as well, who we thank for their contributions to our Club and wish well in their careers going forward.”
The Fire retained the services of their entire rookie class -- Bryce, Doody, Fernandez and Polster -- for the first time since 2010.
Nine players were already under guaranteed contracts for 2016, including: David Accam, Collin Fernandez, Eric Gehrig, Gilberto, Kennedy Igboananike, Sean Johnson, Joevin Jones, Patrick Nyarko and Michael Stephens.
The following players are currently out of contract: Ty Harden, Mike Magee and Matthew Watson.
Busch, Larentowicz, Magee and Harden will be eligible for Free Agency. Palmer and Watson are eligible to participate in MLS’ Re-Entry process.
