The Seattle Sounders are letting go of eight players, the team announced Thursday, though some may still have a future with the club.
Among those on the way out include backup goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann, who announced his retirement Wednesday, and veteran defender Djimi Traore.
The contract options of Hahnemann – the Seattle native who hung up his boots after a professional career that spanned more than two decades – Traore, defender Onyekachi Apam, and forwards Tristan Bowen, Sean Okoli, Cam Weaver and Eriq Zavaleta, were declined. Defender Jalil Anibaba is also out of contract.
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"In our league it's a consistent challenge to keep successful teams together, and these types of decisions are always difficult," Sounders FC co-owner and general manager Adrian Hanauer said in a statement. "Having said that, conversations are ongoing with several players about their respective futures with our club, and as we continue to shape the roster for 2015 we'll have additional announcements to share."
The announcement leaves the Supporters’ Shield and US Open Cup-winning Sounders with 23 players on their roster, including recently signed Homegrown product Victor Mansaray.
