Atlanta United decline contract options on five players

Newly crowned MLS Cup champions (that will never get old typing) Atlanta United have announced their end of season roster decisions today. Five players have had their contract options declined, including club captain Michael Parkhurst. However, the team says it has already begun negotiations with Parkhurst in an attempt to re-sign him.

The four other players who will be sent to the Re-entry Draft include: Mitch Hildebrandt, Sal Zizzo, Oliver Shannon and Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu.

The club exercised contract options on Alec Kann, Mikey Ambrose, Greg Garza, Julian Gressel, Jeff Larentowicz, Darlington Nagbe and forward Romario Williams. They’ve also re-signed Jon Gallagher.

Now the club must compile a list of players they want to protect in Tuesday’s Expansion Draft. That list is expected to be released on Monday. Here’s a projection from DSS’s Sydney Hunte on who Atlanta United could protect.

The current Atlanta United roster stands at this heading into the offseason:

Goalkeepers (2): Brad Guzan, Alec Kann

Defenders (8): Mikey Ambrose, George Bello, Franco Escobar, Jon Gallagher, Greg Garza, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Jose Hernandez and Miles Robinson

Midfielders (10): Miguel Almirón, Ezequiel Barco, Andrew Carleton, Chris Goslin, Julian Gressel, Kevin Kratz, Jeff Larentowicz, Chris McCann, Darlington Nagbe and Eric Remedi

Forwards (7): Lagos Kunga, Josef Martinez, Patrick Okonkwo, Brandon Vazquez, Tito Villalba, Gordon Wild and Romario Williams