The Major League Soccer Player's Union updated the listing of MLS players salaries earlier today, and shed some light on just how much the league's newcomers are costing.
From million-dollar strikers Kenny Miller and Marco DiVaio, to centerbacks making between $200K an $300K like Arne Friedrich, Alessando Nesta and Bakary Soumare, MLS teams did some serious spending to make their mid-season roster improvements.
There are also some interesting bargains, such as New England Olympic star Jerry Bengtson and impressive Houston newcomer Oscar Boniek Garcia, who both are making less than $160,000 in guaranteed salary (though it should be noted that things like marketing and promotional incentives and transfer fees are not included in those figures. In the cases of Bengtson and Garcia, it is a safe bet that the transfer fees that brought them to MLS are what makes both Designated Players).
Here is a rundown of how much money the league's mid-season additions are slated to make in 2012:
MLS SALARIES FOR NEW ARRIVALS
Arne Friedrich (Chicago Fire)- $230,833
Sherjill McDonald (Chicago Fire)-$487,125
Jairo Arrieta (Columbus Crew)- $225,375
Oscar Boniek Garcia (Houston Dynamo)- $151,250
Marco DiVaio (Montreal Impact) $1,937,508
Alessandro Nesta (Montreal Impact)- $225,000
Jerry Bengtson (New England Revolution)- $120,000
Bakary Soumare (Philadelphia Union)- $280,000
Barry Robson (Vancouver Whitecaps)- $596,499
Kenny Miller (Vancouver Whitecaps)- $1,239,316
—————-
If you want to see all the MLS salaries, you can see them here. Players who were signed right at the deadline, like Tim Cahill, are not listed yet.
What do you think of these salaries? Who do you consider a bargain? Who is overpriced?
Share your thoughts below.
I think his deal is back-loaded (if thats the correct term). Basically, hes making 250k now, but next season he’ll be making an over DP salary amount.
It isn’t, only compensation is shown in salary.
Dude has played like 15 minutes in MLS so far. Jeez. See what he can bring before you judge.
Ale Bedoya
transfer fee being added into it. whether or not that makes it acceptable i’m not sure. His resume certainly doesnt seem like someone who’d demand purchasing before his contract runs out. Only time will tell.
Birchall blows
i believe the transfer fee is added into his salary.
my thoughts exactly
How is Friedrich a mid-season addition? He’s been with the Fire all season (signed in March).
Cahill was actually an excellent signing. Definitely still has a lot in the tank and really just wants to play in America and build up the league.
Maybe the Chicago fire owed the belgian club team a favor? who knows…
And Saborio before that.
The two best buys for value are the Hondurans, younger ages, quality players, no retirement league issues hopefully.
However, both Bengston and Boniek are DPs which means that though the salaries are smaller the annual hit is still decent sized. Houston is paying $500K a year for two years for a Boniek fee. Which raises his overall cost to like $650K. In the new era of MLS paying transfer fees that has to be factored in, reflected in DP status.
I also think players like Nesta are a good idea, we want more Henry-types who just want to be in the Americas (including Canada) playing soccer. You’re more likely to get a motivated player from that, than tossing money at free agents.