RSL declines seven options, exercises four

Real Salt Lake has declined options on seven players, and though the only one with significant experience with the team is Chris Schuler, it’s a substantial list.

Alongside Schuler is Matt VanOekel, second-string goalkeeper, rookies Reagan Dunk and Justin Schmidt, injured midfielder and Generation Adidas player Omar Holness, and forward Chad Barrett and Ricardo Velazco.

Options were exercised for David Horst, Luke Mulholland, Sunny, and Sebastian Saucedo. Kyle Beckerman, Nick Rimando and Chris Wingert are all out of contract and eligible for free agency, with Beckerman widely expected to return to the club despite the status. Brooks Lennon is also out of contract.

Options being declined does not, however, mean that RSL has no opportunity to bring said players back — perhaps Barrett and Schmidt have the best opportunities in that regard. Barrett is the only player who would be eligible for the 2017 MLS Re-Entry Draft.

RSL roster

Goalkeepers (1): Connor Sparrow

Defenders (6): Danilo Acosta, Tony Beltran, Justen Glad, David Horst, Demar Phillips, Marcelo Silva

Midfielders (6): Nick Besler, Jose Hernandez, Luke Mulholland, Albert Rusnák, Sebastian Saucedo, Sunny

Forwards (5): Jordan Allen, Yura Movsisyan, Joao Plata, Jefferson Savarino, Luis Silva