By DAN KARELL
The Major League Soccer Players Union released on Monday their first list of player and team salaries for 2013, and it’s not a huge surprise who is at the top of the list.
Thierry Henry of the New York Red Bulls remains the top earner in the league, bringing in a total of $4.35 million in guaranteed compensation ($3.75m base) this season. Behind him is Los Angeles Galaxy forward Robbie Keane, who has a base salary of $4 million. Though it is higher than Henry’s number, Keane’s total compensation is just underneath the former France international at $4.33 million.
Not far behind those two are Red Bulls midfielder Tim Cahill ($3.625m total), Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan ($2.5m total), and Montreal Impact forward Marco Di Vaio ($1.94m total). Newly-signed Seattle Sounders forward Obafemi Martins ($1.725m total), Toronto FC forward Danny Koevermans ($1.66m total), and Vancouver Whitecaps target man Kenny Miller ($1.13m total) round out the seven-figure earners in MLS.
This year’s first overall pick Andrew Farrell of the New England Revolution earns a base salary of $80,000 but is due to receive twice that number with bonuses and other contractual add-ons. The smallest salary is a paltry $35,125, with a total of 62 players around the league earning that total, including first-year players Adam Jahn of the San Jose Earthquakes and Clint Irwin of the Colorado Rapids.
Here’s a closer breakdown of this season’s MLS salaries:
Top ten salaries in MLS (by total salary):
1. Thierry Henry – New York Red Bulls – $4,350,000
2. Robbie Keane – LA Galaxy – $4,333,333.33
3. Tim Cahill – New York Red Bulls – $3,620,000
4. Landon Donovan – LA Galaxy – $2,500,000
5. Marco Di Vaio – Montreal Impact – $1,937,508
6. Obafemi Martins – Seattle Sounders – $1,725,000
7. Danny Koevermans – Toronto FC – $1,663,323.33
8. Kenny Miller – Vancouver Whitecaps – $1,132,492
9. Fredy Montero* – Seattle Sounders – $856,000
10. David Ferreira – FC Dallas – $730,000
11. Dwayne DeRosario – D.C. United – $645,333.00
12. Federico Higuain – Columbus Crew – $604,000
13. Chris Wondolowski – San Jose Earthquakes – $600,000
14. Shalrie Joseph – Seattle Sounders – $599,333
15. Sherjill MacDonald – Chicago Fire – $527,115
16. Kleberson – Philadelphia Union – $495,000
17. Darren O’Dea – Toronto FC – $456,250
18. Alvaro Saborio – Seal Salt Lake – $453,333
19. Kalifa Cisse – New England Revolution – $445,000
20. Diego Valeri – Portland Timbers – $400,000
*On loan to Millonarios (Colombia).