Whitecaps Pick up Options on Ten Players, Decline Six

The busy off-season for the Vancouver Whitecaps has continued, as the club has picked up options on ten players,while declining options on six others.

Both David Ousted and Marco Carducci will be back, while Defenders Jordan Smith, Sam Adekugbe, and Tim Parker also had their options picked up. The club also announced Smith's loan from Deportivo Saprissa in the Costa Rican Primera Division has been extended until the end of 2016. It includes an option to transfer.

In the midfield, Gershon Koffie, and Nicolas Mezquida will be back, while the 'Caps also picked up options on strikers Erik Hurtado, Darren Mattocks, and Kekuta Manneh.

There were a few veterans who did not have their options picked up by the club.

Defenders Pa Modou Kah, Steven Beitashour are on that list ,joined by the young Ethen Sampson. The club also declined options on Andre Lewis, Caleb Clarke, and Goalkeeper Paulo Tornaghi, however, the club says they remain in contact with all six players. The club says they also remain in contact with Mauro Rosales and Robert Earnshaw, who are out of contract.

The 'Caps are also speaking with the parent clubs of Cristian Techera and Deybi Flores about loan opportunities for 2016, and they've also confirmed defender Diego Rodriguez has returned to Uruguay.

My opinion? It's a bit surprising to see names like Hurtado and Mattocks amongst those picked up by the club. Hurtado and Mattocks appeared to have worn out their welcome in Vancouver, but then again, the club may be loathe to part with young talent for nothing. It's also surprising to see Steven Beitashour declined, although I think many would successfully argue he looked like he lost a step in 2015.

The biggest priority for this club should be making sure Cristian Techera is wearing a Whitecaps kit in 2016. He was easily one of the Whitecaps best attacking players despite not even playing a full season, and would be a welcome addition for an attack that needs a boost next year.

What do you think? Any players you want, or don't want to see back?