Soccer

Toronto FC picks up Clint Irwin contract option, 12 others

Toronto FC has exercised the contract options on 13 players, including goalkeeper Clint Irwin and defender Drew Moor, while declining to exercise veteran Benoit Cheyrou.

Core group of MLS Cup finalists will return next season

Toronto FC goalkeeper Clint Irwin was one of 13 players whose contract option was picked up by the club on Monday. (Nathan Denette/Canadian Press)

Toronto FC has exercised the contract options on 13 players, including goalkeeper Clint Irwin and defender Drew Moor.

The Major League Soccer team also picked up the options for goaltender Alex Bono; defenders Nick Hagglund, Eriq Zavaleta, Mark Bloom; midfielders Jonathan Osorio, Armando Cooper, Jay Chapman and Tsubasa Endoh and forwards Tosaint Ricketts, Jordan Hamilton and Mo Babouli.

The moves ensure the core of the team that advanced to the MLS Cup final will be back next season.

Toronto's designated players — midfielder Michael Bradley and forwards Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore — are under contract for 2017.

Defenders Justin Morrow and Steven Beitashour and midfielder Marky Delgado are also under contract.

The team declined to exercise options on defender Clement Simonin and midfielders Chris Mannella, Daniel Lovitz and Benoit Cheyrou.

Goalkeeper Quillan Roberts, defenders Ashtone Morgan and Josh Williams and midfielder Will Johnson will all be out of contract at the end of the year. Lovitz, Morgan and Williams are eligible for the MLS re-entry draft.