Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts was one of eight players whose contract option was declined by the Galaxy. (Photo courtesy LA Galaxy)
One day after the Portland Timbers officially ended the 2016 MLS season with an MLS Cup victory, the LA Galaxy announced its first roster changes of the offseason. The club declined contract options on eight players: forward Edson Buddle, defender Tommy Meyer, goalkeeper Brian Perk, goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, forward Charlie Rugg, midfielder Mika Vayrynen, midfielder Kenney Walker and goalkeeper Andrew Wolverton.
Walker has already signed with USL club FC Cincinnati.
Alan Gordon is currently out of contract, but Galaxy president Chris Klein told LAGalaxy.com that he is confident the team will re-sign the 34-year-old forward.
Below is the current Galaxy roster, which only includes one goalkeeper in Brian Rowe.Ā The goalkeeper position was a large concern for the club during the latter stages of the season after Jaime Penedo left in late July. Ricketts started the final 12 MLS games of the season, conceding 21 goals. There were rumblings of the Galaxy signing Galaxy II goalkeeper Clement Diop to the first team roster. The 21-year-old French goalkeeper was third in the USL in goals against average, allowing 1.12 goals per game.
Full Galaxy roster as of Dec. 7
GOALKEEPERS (1): Brian Rowe
DEFENDERS (7): Dan Gargan, A.J. DeLaGarza, Omar Gonzalez, Leonardo, Robbie Rogers, Dave Romney, Oscar Sorto
MIDFIELDERS (6): Rafael Garcia, Steven Gerrard, Baggio Husidic, Juninho, Sebastian Lletget, Raul Mendiola
FORWARDS (6): Giovani dos Santos, Bradford Jamieson IV, Robbie Keane, Ignacio Maganto, Jose Villarreal, Gyasi Zardes
