Revolution decline contract options on Kouassi, Angoua and five others

The Revolution declined contract options on Ivorian internationals Xavier Kouassi and Benjamin Angoua on Monday, waving goodbye to a pair of players who failed to meet expectations in Foxboro.

Kouassi, signed as a designated player in 2016, made just 14 starts for the Revolution while battling injuries across his 15 months with the team. Angoua brought grit to the center back position as Antonio Delamea’s primary partner, but often showed too much grit. The 30-year-old defender struggled with disciplinary issues and on-field inconsistencies throughout his only season with the Revolution.

Kouassi and Angoua join five other players—defenders Donnie Smith, Josh Smith, Je-Vaughn Watson and London Woodberry, plus forward Brian Wright—who will not return to Foxboro next season.

During this first phase of the MLS offseason calendar, the Revolution also picked up the option on nine players, including forward Kei Kamara and midfielder Kelyn Rowe.

Revolution Roster Moves

Player options exercised:

Juan Agudelo, FWD
Scott Caldwell, MF
Cody Cropper, GK
Zachary Herivaux, MF
Femi Hollinger-Janzen, FWD
Kei Kamara, FWD
Chris Tierney, DF
Matt Turner, GK
Kelyn Rowe, MF

Players under contract for 2018:

Antonio Delamea, DF
Claude Dielna, DF
Diego Fagundez, MF
Krisztián Németh, FWD
Lee Nguyen, MF

Player options not exercised:

Benjamin Angoua, DF
Xavier Kouassi, MF
Donnie Smith, DF
Josh Smith, DF
Je-Vaughn Watson, DF
London Woodberry, DF
Brian Wright, FWD

Players out of contract on Dec. 31, 2017:

Teal Bunbury, FWD
Andrew Farrell, DF
Brad Knighton, GK (free agent eligible)
Daigo Kobayashi, MF

Player returning to original club:

Gershon Koffie, MF (Hammarby IF)

The Revolution have until Thursday, Dec. 14 to make offers to any re-entry draft eligible players, per MLS rules. This includes players whose options were not exercised or out of contract players.