FC Dallas Announces Roster Moves Ahead of 2014 Expansion Draft

Published on December 2, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release

FRISCO, Texas (Tuesday, Dec. 2) - FC Dallas has re-signed goalkeeper Chris Seitz, declined the options on 10 contracts for the 2015 season and exercised the contract options on 11 others, the club announced today.

Coming off his eighth and best season in MLS, Seitz re-signed with FC Dallas after an 8-4-4 season that included two clean sheets. Seitz recorded a third shutout in a 0-0 draw with Seattle Sounders FC in MLS Cup Playoffs. He finished the regular season with a goals against average of 1.45 and 44 saves. Seitz returns to FC Dallas along with newly signed MLS veteran goalkeeper Dan Kennedy and Mexican youth national team product Jesse Gonzalez.

Jamaican international Je-Vaughn Watson was extended a bona fide offer by FC Dallas, which allows the club to retain the player's MLS rights.

The 2015 contracts options for Jair Benitez, Walter Cabrera, Andres Escobar, Raul Fernandez, George John, Peter Luccin, Adam Moffat, Hendry Thomas, Jonathan Top and Nick Walker were declined.

FC Dallas can still negotiate new contracts with players who had their 2015 options declined.

FC Dallas will exercise the 2015 contract options of recently crowned MLS AT&T Rookie of the Year Tesho Akindele, Fabian Castillo, Gonzalez, Moises Hernandez, Ryan Hollingshead, Stephen Keel, Kennedy, Michel, Blas Perez, Brian Span and Victor Ulloa.

Those players join with Kellyn Acosta, Coy Craft, Mauro Diaz, Danny Garcia, Matt Hedges, Zach Loyd, David Texeira, Alejandro Zendejas and Walker Zimmerman to form two-thirds of FC Dallas' 2015 roster.

FC Dallas can protect 11 players ahead of the MLS Expansion Draft, which is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 10. Zimmerman is automatically protected due to his Generation adidas status. Homegrown players Acosta, Craft, Garcia, Gonzalez, Hernandez, Ulloa and Zendejas are also protected automatically.

Major League Soccer Stories from December 2, 2014

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• For Tierney, MLS Cup Appearance is Culmination of Seven-Year Journey - New England Revolution
• New York Red Bulls Announce Contract Options Not Being Exercised - Red Bull New York
• Fifth MLS Cup Trip Has Revs Back in Business - New England Revolution
• Lee Nguyen Named to MLS Best XI - New England Revolution
• Gall Called-Up for U.S. U-20 Men's National Team - Columbus Crew SC
• Moments of the Year: Black & Gold Complete Historic Comeback in Philly - Columbus Crew SC
• Thierry Henry and Bradley Wright-Phillips Named to 2014 MLS Best XI - Red Bull New York
• FC Dallas Announces Roster Moves Ahead of 2014 Expansion Draft - FC Dallas
• Robbie Keane, Landon Donovan and Omar Gonzalez Named to MLS Best XI - LA Galaxy
• Orlando City Defender Tyler Turner Called up by U-20 U.S. Men's National Team - Orlando City SC
• Chad Marshall and Obafemi Martins Named to 2014 MLS Best XI - Seattle Sounders FC
• Earthquakes Forward Tommy Thompson Called to United States U-20 Duty for Fitness Camp - San Jose Earthquakes
• Legends, Young Talents, International Stars and Cornerstone Veterans Make up 2014 MLS Best XI - MLS
• D.C. United's Bill Hamid and Bobby Boswell Selected to 2014 MLS Best XI - D.C. United
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• Crew SC Re-Signs Midfielders Bernardo Anor and Justin Meram - Columbus Crew SC
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• Crew SC Re-Signs Midfielders Bernardo Anor and Justin Meram - Columbus Crew SC
• Chicago Fire Sign Kennedy Igboananike - Chicago Fire FC
• Orlando City SC President Phil Rawlins Voted into USL PRO Hall of Fame - Orlando City SC
• Chicago Fire Soccer Club & the PrivateBank Announce Strategic Multi-year Partnership - Chicago Fire FC
• Ben Olsen Named Major League Soccer Coach of the Year - D.C. United
• After Taking D.C. United to Top of the East, Ben Olsen Named 2014 Coach of the Year - MLS
• Timbers Midfielder Rodney Wallace Named 2014 MLS Comeback Player of the Year - Portland Timbers

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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