Who's in, who's out? Austin FC, Portland Timbers continue 2025 roster moves

As the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs continue, 17 teams (eliminated or didn't qualify) are focused on the offseason and planning for 2025.

On an ongoing basis, MLSsoccer.com will update this year-end roster tracker. Players who are staying, going or in-flux are included.

MLS Transfer Tracker presented by Avant

NOV. 5 – Austin FC declined contract options for winger Ethan Finlay, center back Matt Hedges and midfielder Alex Ring. All three players are 33 or older and have combined to play in 920 MLS matches.

Meanwhile, midfielder Dani Pereira's 2025 contract option was picked up. The Venezuelan international and former SuperDraft No. 1 overall selection is entering his fifth professional season.

The bigger picture? Austin have just 21 players under contract and recently named Nico Estévez head coach, officially starting their post-Josh Wolff era.

Expect the club to be active in the winter transfer market, building off a summer window that saw DP winger Osman Bukari, right back Mikkel Desler and center back Oleksandr Svatok arrive from European teams.

Contract Options Exercised (Nov. 5)

• Jimmy Farkarlun (F)
• Dani Pereira (M)

Contract Options Declined (Nov. 5)

• Matt Bersano (GK)
• Ethan Finlay (F)
• Matt Hedges (D)
• Alex Ring (M)
• Jhojan Valencia (M)

In Discussions (Nov. 5)

• Hector Jimenez (D)

Austin FC roster

NOV. 1 – Much of the Portland Timbers' 2024 roster is returning, at least for now, after snapping a two-year postseason absence.

That includes club legend Diego Chara, who recently signed a contract extension. Conversely, striker Mason Toye and midfielder Marvin Loría had their contract options declined.

Up above, we say "at least for now" because there's an ongoing contract saga with star midfielder Evander. The Brazilian No. 10 wants a deal that reflects his Landon Donovan MLS MVP finalist season of 15g/19a in 28 matches.

Elsewhere? A U22 Initiative attacker and midfielder are reportedly both offseason targets.

Contract Option Exercised (Nov. 1)

• Hunter Sulte (GK)

Contract Options Declined (Nov. 1)

• Tega Ikoba (F)
• Marvin Loría (M)
• Mason Toye (F)

Portland Timbers roster

OCT. 28 – Nashville SC fully enter the B.J. Callaghan era in 2025, moving forward from a midseason coaching change and missing the playoffs for the first time in their five-year history.

Nashville should have several new central midfielders next season, with Aníbal Godoy, Dru Yearwood and more departing the club. Center-back depth could look different, too, though they're in active discussions about Josh Bauer returning.

The club brings back all three DPs: Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge and Walker Zimmerman. Canadian international Jacob Shaffelburg is another key piece.

Contract Options Exercised (Oct. 28)

• Julian Gaines (D)
• Lukas MacNaughton (D)

Contract Options Declined (Oct. 28)

• Forster Ajago (F)
• Tah Brian Anunga (M)
• Aníbal Godoy (M)
• Ben Martino (GK)
• Amar Sejdić (M)
• Joey Skinner (D)

Out of Contract (Oct. 28)

• Josh Bauer (D)
• Brent Kallman (D)
• Dru Yearwood (M)

Nashville SC roster

OCT. 28 – There's little turnover (so far) for Toronto FC, who ended head coach John Herdman's first season outside the playoff picture looking in. They last qualified in 2020.

But that shouldn't rule out bigger moves in the months ahead, especially as Toronto seek to fine-tune their club identity. Namely, will DP forward Lorenzo Insigne be back?

In the meantime, conversations are ongoing with select players about returning. There's also not yet a formal decision on striker Prince Owusu, who has a 2025 option.

Contract Options Exercised (Oct. 28)

• Alonso Coello (M)
• Kobe Franklin (D)
• Luka Gavran (GK)
• Deandre Kerr (F)
• Kevin Long (D)
• Tyrese Spicer (F)
• Kosi Thompson (M)

Contract Options Declined (Oct. 28)

• Aimé Mabika (D)
• Shane O'Neill (D)
• Greg Ranjitsingh (GK)
• Brandon Servania (M)

To Be Determined (Oct. 28)

• Prince Owusu (F)
• Luke Singh (D)

Toronto FC roster

OCT. 25 – After some Decision Day heartbreak ensured a fifth-straight season of playoff-less soccer, D.C. United have cleared the decks.

The Black-and-Red have just 17 players on their roster. They declined contract options for Alex Bono and Tyler Miller, leaving them with zero goalkeepers. Defense is a clear area of need, having allowed 70 goals in 2024 (third-most in MLS).

D.C. bring back reigning Golden Boot presented by Audi winner Christian Benteke, plus DP midfielders Mateusz Klich and Matti Peltola. Who joins them?

Contract Options Exercised (Oct. 25)

• Aaron Herrera (D)
• Garrison Tubbs (D)

Contract Options Declined (Oct. 25)

• Alex Bono (GK)
• Nathan Crockford (GK)
• Cristian Dájome (F)
• Jeremy Garay (D)
• Christopher McVey (D)
• Tyler Miller (GK)
• Martín Rodríguez (M)
• Hayden Sargis (D)
• Luis Zamudio (GK)

Out of Contract (Oct. 25)

• Russell Canouse (M)
• Pedro Santos (D)

D.C. United roster

OCT. 22 – A busy winter awaits Chicago, where Gregg Berhalter takes over as director of football and head coach.

The former USMNT boss has given the Fire more roster flexibility, highlighted by center back Rafael Czichos, midfielder Fabian Herbers and winger Ariel Lassiter not being offered a new deal. Additionally, defender Allan Arigoni will return to Swiss partner club FC Lugano after his season-long loan.

How many new players does Berhalter sign this winter, whether from within MLS or abroad? Do they land a new DP after mutually parting ways with midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri in mid-August?

As this new era begins, Chicago eye their first playoffs since 2017.

Contract Options Exercised (Oct. 22)

• Jonathan Dean (D)
• Jeff Gal (GK)

Out of Contract (Oct. 22)

• Rafael Czichos (D)
• Fabian Herbers (M)
• Ariel Lassiter (M)
• Spencer Richey (GK)

Loan Expiration (Oct. 22)

• Allan Arigoni (D)

In Discussions (Oct. 22)

• Javier Casas (M)
• Wyatt Omsberg (D)

Chicago Fire FC roster

OCT. 22 – After a busy summer transfer window, St. Louis exercised the contract option for seven players and enter next season with 27 players on guaranteed deals.

Midfielders Chris Durkin and Indiana Vassilev are returning, joining a core that includes goalkeeper Roman Bürki, midfielders Marcel Hartel, Eduard Löwen and Cedric Teuchert, and striker João Klauss.

Priority No. 1 for CITY SC is finding a new head coach, potentially keeping interim John Hackworth in the position. The club finished 12th in the West, a significant slide from their record-setting, conference-topping expansion season in 2023.

Contract Options Exercised (Oct. 22)

• Chris Durkin (M)
• Hosei Kijima (M)
• Ben Lundt (GK)
• Jay Reid (D)
• Akil Watts (M)
• Michael Wentzel (D)
• Indiana Vassilev (M)

Contract Option Declined (Oct. 22)

• John Klein (M)

Ongoing Discussions (Oct. 22)

• Jake Nerwinski (D)

St. Louis CITY SC roster