Vancouver Whitecaps' Camilo Sanvezzo, of Brazil, kisses the team crest on his jersey as he celebrates his second of three goals against the Colorado Rapids during the second half of an MLS soccer game in Vancouver, B.C., on Sunday October 27, 2013.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press
The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Thursday that the club has exercised contract options on 11 players, including MLS Golden Boot winner Camilo Sanvezzo.
The Brazilian striker led the league with 22 goals in 2013, including a memorable hat trick in the season finale to clinch the scoring title.
Vancouver also picked up the options on defenders Jordan Harvey and Carlyle Mitchell, midfielders Aminu Abdallah, Bryce Alderson, Gershon Koffie, Erik Hurtado, Nigel Reo-Coker, Russell Teibert and Matt Watson, as well as striker Omar Salgado.
The Whitecaps currently have 19 players under contract for the 2014 season. Clubs can fill up to 30 spots on their first team roster.
"We're very excited about the core we have in place and the opportunity to build around these players," club president Bob Lenarduzzi said in a statement. "With the combination of young and veteran players in the fold, our 2014 roster is heading in the right direction and we will attempt to strengthen it even further this off-season."
The Whitecaps also announced that they have declined the options for goalkeepers Joe Cannon, Brad Knighton and Simon Thomas, defender Brad Rusin, midfielders Jun Marques Davidson and Daigo Kobayashi, as well as strikers Tommy Heinemann and Corey Hertzog.
"Some degree of roster turnover is expected at this time of year and although we have declined options on certain players, we will continue to have conversations with a couple players about opportunities moving forward," said Lenarduzzi. "We are thankful for the contributions that all of these players made to the club on and off the field."
Meanwhile, the Whitecaps are continuing their search for a new head coach following the dismissal of Martin Rennie, who was axed last month after the club missed the playoffs.
Rennie led Vancouver to its first MLS post-season berth, and the first for any Canadian-based team, back in 2012.