During a conference call with L.A.-based reporters, LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena stated that he does not expect midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson or forward Chad Barrett back for the 2013 season.
Wilhelmsson made nine appearances for the Galaxy in regular season and postseason play, tallying one goal and one assist. The Swedish midfielder was not at present at the club's championship celebration on Monday to tend to his pregnant wife Oksana in Sweden.
"I don't expect Wilhelmsson to be back," said Arena on Wednesday. "He has other options that he wants to look at."
Meanwhile, Barrett was among the six players -- Brian Perk, Bryan Jordan, Kyle Nakazawa, Pat Noonan, Andrew Boyens being the others -- who were made available for the Re-Entry Draft process. Arena stated that Barrett, who has been on loan with Norwegian club Valerenga since late-July would not return, but the door remained open for the other five players made available for the Re-Entry Draft.
"We will not be re-signing Barrett for sure," said Arena. "The others, we will remain in conversation with and see if we can work it out with them. My advice to a number of them is to go through the first phase of the Re-Entry Draft positions you to be in a more favorable position in all honesty."
Arena also confirmed that he anticipates that some players that were made available for the Re-Entry Draft process may pull out of the draft before the Thursday deadline at 2 p.m. PT.
