LA Galaxy 2018 roster moves announced

After notifying the league office this morning in writing, the Galaxy finally released their 2018 roster decisions on Option Exercise Deadline day.

The LA Galaxy announced today the club has exercised contract options for five players from the team’s 2017 roster. An additional seven players remain under contract, bringing the club’s current roster to 12 players under contract for the 2018 Major League Soccer season.

The Galaxy have exercised the contract options on the following players: midfielder Emmanuel Boateng, forward Bradford Jamieson IV, defender Daniel Steres, defender Dave Romney and forward Ariel Lassiter.

Additionally, the LA Galaxy have declined the options of the following players: midfielder Jermaine Jones, goalkeeper Jon Kempin, midfielder Rafael Garcia, goalkeeper Brian Rowe, forward Jose Villarreal, forward Jack McBean, midfielder Raul Mendiola, defender Pele Van Anholt, goalkeeper Clement Diop, midfielder Jaime Villarreal, defender Nathan Smith and defender Bradley Diallo.

Defender Ashley Cole and midfielder Baggio Husidic are signed to contracts that expire at the end of the year.

The squad shake-up is significant, but not surprising. Sigi Schmid had voiced his displeasure with LA’s goalkeeping situation earlier in the season, putting all three goalkeepers at risk. However, its still a bit jarring to see the likes of Bradley Diallo and Rafael Garcia have their options declined.

Note: The twelve players who had their options declined can negotiate with the club during the upcoming Re-Entry draft and potentially come back at a lower salary. However, I would count on most (If not all of them) moving on.