RSL declines 10 contract options, takes 7

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Original publish date: November 21, 2018

RSL declines 10 contract options, takes 7

The times, they are a-changin’.

November 21, 2018

Real Salt Lake’s roster is set for a substantial shakeup in 2019, with a number of players having their contract options declined — and a smaller number having their contract options taken.

The Salt Lake Tribune released the list today, which was provided to reporters during a press availability on Tuesday, pending release from the club.

That list, from an RSL-issued press release:

Connor Sparrow
Tony Beltran
David Horst
Taylor Peay
Demar Phillips
Jose Hernandez
Luke Mulholland
Sunny
Ricky Lopez-Espin
Luis Silva

Of these, Connor Sparrow, Sunny and Jose Hernandez have more-or-less announced their departures. A number of these players suffered from long-term injuries, including Sparrow, Beltran, Horst, Mulholland, Lopez-Espin and Luis Silva.

A handful of players had their contract options taken:

Andrew Putna
Danilo Acosta
Nick Besler
Corey Baird
Joao Plata
Sebastian Saucedo
Jefferson Savarino

And, of course, some other players fit into neither bucket — those players already had their contract guaranteed:

Alex Horwath
Nick Rimando
Justen Glad
Adam Henley
Aaron Herrera
Brooks Lennon
Nedum Onuoha
Marcelo Silva
Kyle Beckerman
Damir Kreilach
Pablo Ruiz
Albert Rusnak

Jordan Allen
Even though a player’s contact option was declined does not mean we won’t see them play for Real Salt Lake again. The club may decline the option to work out another deal, likely one that is more beneficial for the team.