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HERRIMAN — It's been just 10 days since Real Salt Lake's season ended against Austin FC, but several decisions involving the team's roster have already been made as the offseason gets underway.
The club announced Wednesday that team options were not picked up on six players: Tate Schmitt, Chris Garcia, Bret Halsey, Johan Kappelhof, Nick Besler and Bobby Wood.
The most impactful of the bunch are the decisions to not bring back Schmitt and Wood, who both started double-digit games for RSL this season. Both players could theoretically come back on new contracts, even after the options were not picked up, but neither were mentioned in the team's announcement as part of the plans for next season.
Schmitt started 10 games and scored two goals, while Wood started 13 and scored three goals for the team. Wood formed a forward duo up top with Sergio Cordova in the first half of the season before injuring his adductor and requiring multiple surgeries.
Cordova and interim team captain Marcelo Silva are currently out of contract, as well, but the team explicitly said the club is having discussions to bring both back for the 2023 season.
"Real Salt Lake is actively engaged with Silva about a potential long-term return," a press release from the team said. "The loan agreement with Bundesliga side FC Augsburg for Venezuelan international Cordova will soon expire, although the club currently remains in discussions regarding his transfer options and contract."
Backup goalkeeper Tomas Gomez is the other player currently out of a contract that the club is actively speaking with to bring back for another year.
The rest of the roster will likely look the same as it did this season, barring any unforeseen changes. Captain Damir Kreilach headlined the team's roster release as he remains under contract for next year, and the club hopes to have him back and healthy by the start of the season in February.
As of Wednesday, RSL's current roster headed into 2023 — listed alphabetically by position — is as follows:
Goalkeepers (3): Gavin Beavers, Jeff Dewsnup, Zac MacMath
Defenders (7): Andrew Brody, Zack Farnsworth, Justen Glad, Aaron Herrera, Erik Holt, Bryan Oviedo, Jaziel Orozco
Midfielders (10): Julio Benitez, Scott Caldwell, Maikel Chang, Bode Hidalgo, Damir Kreilach, Jasper Löffelsend, Diego Luna, Braian Ojeda, Pablo Ruiz, Jude Wellings
Forwards (6): Anderson Julio, Axel Kei, Justin Meram, Danny Musovski, Rubio Rubin, Jefferson Savarino
Key MLS offseason dates/roster mechanisms (Dates, times (MDT) subject to change):
Nov. 5 – MLS Cup 2022
Nov. 7 – 48-hour trade window opens (10 a.m.)
Nov. 9 – Trade window closes (10 a.m.)
Nov. 10 – Expansion Draft protected/eligible Lists distributed to clubs
Nov. 11 – MLS Expansion Draft; trade window re-opens following draft
Nov. 16 – Free agency opens (11 a.m.)
Nov. 17 – Re-entry process, stage 1 (11 a.m.); End of Year Waivers (3 p.m.)
Nov. 22 – Re-entry process, stage 2 (11 a.m.)
Dec. 21 – 2022 MLS SuperDraft
Jan. 3-7 – 2023 MLS preseason begins
Feb. 25 – 2023 MLS season kicks off
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Caleb Turner
