Official release from Toronto FC
Toronto FC announced Friday that it has exercised contract options on 12 players, while nine players are already under contract for the 2014 season.
Toronto FC has picked up the contract options on goalkeepers Joe Bendik, Chris Konopka, Quillan Roberts; defenders Gale Agbossoumonde, Mark Bloom, Ryan Ricther; midfielders Kyle Bekker, Reggie Lambe, Jeremy Hall; forwards Bright Dike, Emery Welshman, and Andrew Wiedeman.
The nine players already under contract for the 2014 season are: defenders Jonas Elmer, Ashtone Morgan, Doneil Henry, Richard Eckersley, and Steven Caldwell; midfielders Matias Laba, Jonathan Osorio, Manuel Aparicio, and Alvaro Rey.
Toronto FC has declined options on midfielders Bobby Convey, Darel Russell, Michael Thomas and forward Robert Earnshaw.
The three players that are now out of contract are forwards Danny Koevermans and Justin Braun along with goalkeeper Stefan Frei.
"We are writing a new story for TFC, and it begins with our current players," said Toronto FC General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko.
"We have not had a solid core group like this in a long time, and this core is prepared and excited about taking this Club to the next level. We will continue discussing the possibility of returning next season with those players whose options were declined."
