Steve Purdy and Lovel Palmer Options Declined by Portland Timbers

The Portland Timbers are not slowing down today as they've just announced that Steve Purdy and Lovel Palmer will no longer be with the squad heading into the 2013 season. Both Palmer and Purdy are eligible for this week's Re-Entry Draft.

I suppose this shouldn't come as a huge surprise to most of you. Steve Purdy, for his part, simply didn't get a lot of playing time this past season and was continually surpassed by even rookies such as Ryan Kuwalok. Lovel Palmer, on the other hand, has been a continual point of contention among fans as his popularity dropped drastically this season. His high-flying 40-yard shots certainly won't be missed, but his as a defensive mid, his physicality came in handy quite a few times.

Both players leaving will free up cap space for, hopefully, a new right back as the current squad is looking a little sparse in that position.

Full press release:

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers announced today that the club has declined the contract options for midfielder/defender Lovel Palmer and defender Steve Purdy. Both Palmer and Purdy are eligible for the MLS Re-Entry Process, which begins Friday.

"We’d like to thank both Lovel and Steve for their contributions to the club over the last two seasons and wish them well in the future," said Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson.

Palmer, 28, played in 19 regular-season games (15 starts) for the Timbers during the 2012 campaign. The Jamaican international first joined the club July 21, 2011, in a trade with the Houston Dynamo, and appeared in 34 games, recording one assist, during his time in Portland.

Purdy, 27, logged 188 minutes in three appearances for Portland in 2012. A member of the El Salvador National Team, Purdy made 11 total appearances with the Timbers over two MLS seasons. He first joined the Timbers in 2010, when the club competed as a second-division side.