How Much Do MLS Players Make? A Deep Dive into the Earnings of Top Players
Major League Soccer (MLS) has seen a significant increase in popularity over the years, and with that comes an increase in player salaries. The question on many people's minds is, "How much do MLS players make?" This article provides a comprehensive look at the highest-earning MLS players as of April 2023.
Top 5 Highest Earning Players in MLS (April 2023)
Here are the top 5 highest earning players in Major League Soccer as of April 2023:
- Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire): $8,153,000.00
- Lorenzo Insigne (Toronto FC): $7,500,000.00
- Javier Hernández Balcázar (LA Galaxy): $7,443,750.00
- Federico Bernardeschi (Toronto FC): $6,295,381.00
- Sebastián Driussi (Austin FC): $6,022,500.00
These players command significant salaries, reflecting their exceptional talent, international profiles, and contributions to their respective teams. As some of the highest-earning players in MLS, they showcase the league's growing allure and its ability to attract top-tier talent from around the world. Their performances on the field are closely followed by fans and have a significant impact on their teams' success in the league.
Atlanta United FC: Top Earners
Atlanta United FC boasts some of the highest earning players in the league. Luiz Araújo tops the list with a whopping $4,483,333.00, followed by Thiago Almada and Esequiel Barco earning $2,332,000.00 and $2,200,000.00 respectively.
CF Montréal: High Rollers
Victor Wanyama leads the pack at CF Montréal with a salary of $3,091,667.00. Romell Quioto and Djordje Mihailovic also make the list with impressive earnings of $1,400,000.00 and $1,035,000.00 respectively.
Chicago Fire FC: Top of the Payroll
Gastón Giménez is the highest earner at Chicago Fire FC with a salary of $1,663,333.00. Stanislav Ivanov and Ignacio Aliseda follow closely with $1,232,000.00 and $1,102,500.00 respectively.
Columbus Crew SC: Leading the Pack
Lucas Zelarayán of Columbus Crew SC earns a staggering $3,800,000.00, making him one of the highest earning MLS players. Cucho Hernández and Darlington Nagbe also earn impressive salaries of $2,886,000.00 and $1,800,000.00 respectively.
D.C. United: Top of the Charts
D.C. United's Christian Benteke leads the team's payroll with a salary of $4,432,778.00. Following him are Mateusz Klich and Taxiarchis Fountas who earn $2,093,588.00 and $1,741,000.00 respectively.
FC Cincinnati: Leading Earners
At FC Cincinnati, Brenner Souza da Silva is the highest earner with a salary of $2,218,600.00. Luuk de Jong and Álvaro Barreal also make the list with earnings of $1,906,000.00 and $1,087,500.00 respectively.
Inter Miami CF: Top of the Payroll
Inter Miami CF's Gonzalo Higuaín tops the list with a whopping $5,793,750.00. Blaise Matuidi and Rodolfo Pizarro follow closely with $1,500,000.00 and $1,362,500.00 respectively.
Nashville SC: High Rollers
Nashville SC's Hany Mukhtar leads the pack with a salary of $2,700,000.00. Jhonder Cádiz and Randall Leal also make the list with impressive earnings of $1,912,500.00 and $885,000.00 respectively.
New England Revolution: Leading the Pack
Carles Gil of New England Revolution earns a staggering $2,337,500.00, making him one of the highest earning MLS players. Adam Buksa and Gustavo Bou also earn impressive salaries of $1,482,300.00 and $1,387,500.00 respectively.
New York City FC: Top Earners
Thiago Martins tops the list at New York City FC with a whopping $2,112,000.00. Esequiel Barco and Alexandru Mitrita follow with $2,200,000.00 and $1,300,000.00 respectively.
New York Red Bulls: High Rollers
Patryk Klimala leads the pack at New York Red Bulls with a salary of $1,274,250.00. Dru Yearwood and Youba Diarra also make the list with earnings of $1,282,500.00 and $1,015,000.00 respectively.
Orlando City SC: Top of the Payroll
Orlando City SC's Alexandre Pato leads the team's payroll with a salary of $1,575,008.00. Following him are Mauricio Pereyra and Pedro Gallese who earn $1,539,000.00 and $1,100,000.00 respectively.
Philadelphia Union: Leading Earners
At Philadelphia Union, Mikael Uhre is the highest earner with a salary of $1,940,000. Dániel Gazdag and Alejandro Bedoya also make the list with earnings of $1,355,000 and $1,060,000 respectively.
Toronto FC: Top of the Charts
Toronto FC's Alejandro Pozuelo tops the list with a whopping $4,693,000. Yeferson Soteldo and Kemar Lawrence follow closely with $2,423,000 and $1,260,000 respectively.
Austin FC: High Rollers
Austin FC's Sebastián Driussi leads the pack with a salary of $2,422,500. Cecilio Dominguez and Tomás Pochettino also make the list with impressive earnings of $2,200,000 and $1,600,000 respectively.
Colorado Rapids: Leading the Pack
Kellyn Acosta of Colorado Rapids earns a staggering $1,100,000. Michael Barrios and Jack Price also earn impressive salaries of $1,077,500 and $1,039,583 respectively.
FC Dallas: Top Earners
Jesús Ferreira tops the list at FC Dallas with a whopping $1,900,000. Pablo Aránguiz and Matt Hedges follow with $1,251,000 and $900,000 respectively.
Houston Dynamo FC: High Rollers
Tyler Pasher leads the pack at Houston Dynamo FC with a salary of $1,200,000. Maximiliano Urruti and Matías Vera also make the list with earnings of $1,150,000 and $850,000 respectively.
LA Galaxy: Top of the Payroll
LA Galaxy's Javier Hernández leads the team's payroll with a salary of $6,000,000. Jonathan Dos Santos and Kévin Cabral follow him with $2,000,000 and $1,612,500 respectively.
Los Angeles FC: Top Earners
Los Angeles FC boasts some of the highest earning players in the league. Carlos Vela tops the list with a salary of $3,337,500, followed by Denis Bouanga with $2,083,333, and Aaron Long with $1,243,056. Giorgio Chiellini and Ilie Sánchez also make the list with salaries of $1,075,000 and $1,207,500 respectively.
Minnesota United FC: Leading Earners
Minnesota United FC boasts some of the highest earning players in the league. Emanuel Reynoso leads the team with a salary of $2,151,200.00, making him one of the top earners in the club. His contributions on the field and skillful play have made him a valuable asset to Minnesota United FC.
Portland Timbers: Notable Players
Portland Timbers has a talented roster that includes notable players who contribute to the team's success. Let's take a closer look at two key players:
Nathan Yimmi Chará: Nathan Yimmi Chará brings his skill and experience to the midfield for Portland Timbers. With a salary of $1,803,000.00, Chará's contributions on the field are crucial to the team's gameplay and tactics. His technical abilities, vision, and work rate make him a valuable asset for the Timbers.
Evander da Silva Ferreira: Evander da Silva Ferreira is another important player for Portland Timbers. With a salary of $2,230,000.00, Ferreira adds attacking flair and creativity to the team's forward line. His ability to create scoring opportunities and contribute goals makes him a significant presence in the Timbers' attacking strategy.
Real Salt Lake: High Rollers
Jefferson Savarino leads the pack at Real Salt Lake with a salary of $1,749,292. Justen Glad, Marcelo Silva, Rubio Rubín, and Pablo Ruiz also make the list with salaries of $785,031, $600,000, $672,847, and $573,500 respectively.
San Jose Earthquakes: Leading the Pack
Cristian Espinoza of San Jose Earthquakes earns a staggering $1,265,000, making him one of the highest earning MLS players. Carlos Gruezo, Jamiro Monteiro, Jeremy Ebobisse, and Jonathan Mensah also earn impressive salaries of $1,571,086, $1,293,500, $909,863, and $1,165,667 respectively.
Seattle Sounders FC: Top of the Payroll
Nicolás Lodeiro tops the list at Seattle Sounders FC with a salary of $3,256,667. Raúl Ruidíaz, Albert Rusnák, João Paulo Mior, and Cristian Roldán follow with salaries of $3,201,120, $1,871,667, $1,383,333, and $1,441,000 respectively.
Sporting Kansas City: Top Earners
Alan Pulido leads the pack at Sporting Kansas City with a salary of $2,200,000.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC: Leading Earners
Vancouver Whitecaps FC has notable players who are among the highest earners in the league. Ryan Gauld stands out as one of the team's top earners with a salary of $2,505,000.00. His skill and contribution in the midfield have made him a valuable asset to the Whitecaps.
Sergio Córdova is another significant earner for Vancouver Whitecaps FC, earning a salary of $1,050,568.00. As a forward, Córdova brings attacking prowess to the team and adds depth to their offensive capabilities.
Charlotte FC (joined in 2022): Top of the Charts
Enzo Copetti leads the payroll at Charlotte FC with a salary of $1,142,250. Ashley Westwood, Bill Tuiloma, Brandt Bronico, and Adilson Malanda also make the list with salaries of $850,000, $459,938, $348,375, and $303,083 respectively.
St. Louis City SC: High Rollers
Roman Bürki leads the payroll at St. Louis City SC with a salary of $1,632,469. Tim Parker and Tomás Ostrák also make the list with salaries of $1,037,500 and $801,000 respectively.
MLS Best Players: A Reflection of Their Earnings?
It's clear that the highest-earning MLS players are also some of the best in the league. Their salaries reflect their skill, talent, and contribution to their respective teams. However, it's important to note that a high salary doesn't always equate to performance on the field. There are many factors that contribute to a player's earnings, including their marketability, experience, and negotiation skills.
The Future of MLS Salaries
As the popularity of MLS continues to grow, it's likely that player salaries will continue to rise. This increase in player earnings is a testament to the growth and development of soccer in the United States and Canada. It will be interesting to see how this trend continues in the future.
In conclusion, the question "How much do MLS players make?" has a wide range of answers. From the millions earned by top players like Luiz Araújo and Lucas Zelarayán, to the still impressive salaries of their teammates, it's clear that playing in the MLS can be a lucrative career.
Source of information: MLSPlayers.Org.