CHICAGO (Oct. 31, 2022) – Chicago Fire FC today announced roster decisions for five players on the 2022 squad.
The Fire have exercised the 2023 contract options for center backs Kendall Burks and Wyatt Omsberg.
“We’re very pleased that Kendall and Wyatt will return to the team in 2023,” said Chicago Fire FC Sporting Director Georg Heitz. “Throughout the last three seasons, Wyatt has proven to be a strong and reliable defender who now competes for a starting role. With Kendall, we have been impressed with his development over the course of the season. He is an important part of the backline as we look to bring greater depth across the entire roster.”
Chicago also announced today that it has declined the 2023 contract option for defender Andre Reynolds II. Additionally, defenders Jonathan Bornstein and Boris Sekulić are out of contract and have not been offered a new deal for the 2023 season.
“As a technical staff we felt that these moves were necessary as we continue to prepare for the 2023 season, added Heitz.” “We’d like to thank Andre, Boris and Jonny for their years of service to the Club and wish them all the best for the future.”
Bornstein will be eligible for MLS free agency, while Sekulić and Reynolds will be available for selection in the 2022 MLS Re-Entry Draft. To read more about the MLS offseason roster-building calendar, click here.
Originally joining the Fire via a trade with Minnesota United FC in 2020, Omsberg, 27, made an MLS career-high 14 starts this past season, before suffering a season-ending injury in the team’s 1-0 win over D.C. United on June 18.
Burks, 22, was drafted by the Fire as the No. 11 overall pick in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft, before signing a first-team contract with the Club on Feb. 25. In his rookie season Burks made four appearances (two starts) for the Fire in MLS play, while appearing in 12 matches (10 starts) with Chicago Fire FC II in MLS NEXT Pro.
Transaction: Chicago Fire FC exercises its 2023 contract options on defenders Kendall Burks and Wyatt Omsberg. Additionally, the Club has declined the 2023 contract option on defender Andre Reynolds II.
