Some key roster spots have opened up for Chicago Fire FC , who enter 2024 hoping to end a six-year streak of missing the MLS Cup Playoffs . This is on top of appointing a head coach and signing a Designated Player striker / No . 9 .
The Eastern Conference club has declined transfer options for defender Alonso Aceves and midfielder Ousmane Doumbia after they were on loan . Aceves , who arrived from Liga MX ’ s Pachuca , held a U-22 Initiative slot . Doumbia , a midseason signing from Swiss sister side FC Lugano , was a DP Additionally , Chicago have exercised their purchase option on winger Maren Haile-Selassie . He joined in preseason from FC Lugano and finished as the Fire ’ s leading scorer with 6g / 4a . As previously announced , veteran striker Kei Kamara is out of contract and seeking a new club . The 39-year-old is third in the all-time MLS scoring charts with 144 goals , trailing Landon Donovan ( 145 ) for second place .
Contract Options Exercised ( Nov . 22 ) Jonathan Dean ( D ) Jeff Gall ( GK ) Fabian Herbers ( M ) Wyatt Omsberg ( D ) Spencer Richey ( GK )
Purchase Option Exercised ( Nov . 22 ) Maren Haile-Selassie ( M )
Loans Expiring , Not Returning ( Nov . 22 ) Alonso Aceves ( D ) Ousmane Doumbia ( M )
Out of Contract ( Nov . 22 ) Kei Kamara ( F )
Contract Options Declined ( Nov . 22 ) Kendall Burks ( D ) Alex Monis ( M ) Allan Rodríguez ( M )
A winter of change looms for the Portland Timbers , who on November 6 appointed Phil Neville as head coach . Their roster reset is headlined by club legend Sebastián Blanco not returning after his contract expired . The Argentine midfielder , who joined the Timbers in 2017 , departs with 41g / 51a in 176 regular-season games .
As general manager Ned Grabavoy previously announced , the club has opened a Designated Player spot by declining oft-injured striker Jaroslaw Niezgoda ' s contract option . Also , striker Franck Boli is gone after he tallied 7g / 2a in 29 games this past season .
Will veteran Honduran midfielder Bryan Acosta return ? He ' s among those still in discussions .
Contract Option Exercised ( Nov . 30 ) Nathan Fogaça ( F )
Contract Options Declined ( Nov . 30 ) Bryan Acosta ( M ) Franck Boli ( F ) Noel Caliskan ( M ) Diego Gutierrez ( M ) Eric Miller ( D ) Jaroslaw Niezgoda ( F ) Justin Rasmussen ( D )
Out of Contract ( Nov . 30 ) Sebastián Blanco ( M )
In Discussions ( Nov . 30 ) Bryan Acosta ( M ) David Bingham ( GK ) Eric Miller ( D )
In Discussions ( Nov . 22 )
Javier Casas Jr . ( M )
GOALNEWS 36