Toronto FC declines options on eight players including Cooper, Cheyrou

Toronto FC has declined its contract options for Armando Cooper and Benoit Cheyrou following the team's successful 2017 season. Goalkeeper Mark Pais, defenders Brandon Aubrey and Oyvind Alseth, midfielder Sergio Camargo, and forwards Ben Spencer and Tsubasa Endoh also have not had their options picked up for 2018.

The Reds did exercise options for Alex Bono, Justin Morrow, Jonathan Osorio, Jay Chapman, and Jordan Hamilton, keeping them under contract through next year.

That quintet join Clint Irwin, Ashtone Morgan, Chris Mavinga, Nick Hagglund, Nicolas Hasler, Michael Bradley, Marky Delgado, Victor Vazquez, Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore, and Tosaint Ricketts to make up the current roster.

Meanwhile, Drew Moor, Steven Beitashour, and Jason Hernandez will be out of contract at the turn of the year, with all three eligible for free agency. Defender Eriq Zavaleta is also out of contract, but as yet ineligible for free agency.

The club can continue to negotiate with each of those four players, as well as the aforementioned eight players whose contract options were not exercised, but they would need to sign new deals in order to return in 2018.

Head coach Greg Vanney and general manager Tim Bezbatchenko will want to keep as much of the team together as possible after Toronto FC completed a historic treble by capturing the MLS Cup, the Supporters' Shield, and its domestic trophy by winning the Canadian Championship.

Cooper's contribution to the 2017 MLS Cup title was most noteworthy, as his run set up Vazquez to score the second goal of the match and seal the triumph in the closing minutes. Meanwhile, Moor is reportedly confident of a return for next season.