The day we were all waiting for finally arrived.
On Thursday afternoon, the MLS Players Union released its long-awaited 2014 salary list. This year’s list indicates the “base salary” and “guaranteed compensation”, a number which factors in any guaranteed bonuses, of 555 players. According to a Sports Illustrated article, both mean and median average salaries have increased to unprecedented levels, unsurprising considering the shopping spree that has been the last few months for many sides.
Here are my award selections, along with other takeaways, from the MLS Salary list, which can be viewed here. All figures noted are guaranteed compensation.
1. Best Bang-for-your-Buck Star: $1 million+ Category
Because when Clint Dempsey’s payroll exceeds that of all but four teams in the entire league, there needs to be a bit of separation.
In this category are twelve players. Of note, four are American, 10 of them play for Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, or Toronto, and only one (Omar Gonzalez from the L.A. Galaxy) is not a forward or midfielder.
When it comes to value, I could make a case for ten of them (Gonzales and Toronto FC forward Gilberto are the exceptions) being the best.
Clint Dempsey now looks like a man on a mission in Seattle. Other players, like Toronto’s Michael Bradley, are the lifeblood of their clubs. Thierry Henry’s value stretches well beyond the field of play, as the New York Red Bulls star has become a dedicated advocate for the league.
But narrowing it down to one, I have to go with Vancouver’s Pedro Morales. His passing continues to be otherworldly, and having a fast frontline ahead of him will make his work even easier. As the third-lowest earner in the million dollar club, the amount the Caps are paying for each of Morales’ passes could be down to pocket change by season’s end.
2. Best Everyday Standout: Salary Between $100,000 and $1 million
As always, my indecisiveness is my downfall. But here are 10 players that particularly caught my eye when running down the list.
Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City): $200,000
Mauro Diaz (FC Dallas): $411,000
Diego Fagundez (New England Revolution): $137,000
Justin Mapp (Montreal Impact): $175,000
Lamar Neagle (Seattle Sounders): $110,000
Jaime Penedo (L.A. Galaxy): $139,000
Kelyn Rowe (New England Revolution): $181,000
Shea Salinas (San Jose Earthquakes): $133,000
Jonny Steele (New York Red Bulls): $135,000
Erick Torres (Chivas USA): $152,000
Besler and Penedo are arguably the league’s best defender and goalkeeper, respectively. The stars of New England’s youth movement have currently fallen victim to both poor team form and penny-pinching ownership. Torres has been banging them in for the Goats this season, and fans will surely be praying the man called “Cubo” won’t be returning to C.D. Guadalajara when his loan expires in the summer.
The rest of the players on my list are key string-pullers for their clubs. Like Morales, I talked up Diaz a while back, but will not hesitate to do so again. Even at over $400,000, Diaz has been one of the biggest bargains of the season. Already having scored twice and assisted three times, Diaz’s numbers could get scary if Dallas can continue their current run of form.
My only hope for these ten players is that they don’t become the next stars to ask for more money and flop shortly after. The two most notable players on this current list are San Jose’s Chris Wondolowski ($650,000) and D.C.’s Eddie Johnson ($613,000). 2013 MVP Mike Magee ($417,000) is getting awfully close to entering the discussion too. It would be in everyone’s best interests if the Chicago man closed the door behind him.
3. Champion(s) on Chump’s Change: Salary Less than $100,000
And you thought I would only say one? No, but for those who thought ten was a handful, I’ll compromise and give you six players this time.
Quincy Amarikwa (Chicago Fire): $60,000
Dom Dwyer (Sporting Kansas City): $93,000
Joao Plata (Real Salt Lake): $70,000
Dylan Remick (Seattle Sounders): $37,000
Harrison Shipp (Chicago Fire): $95,000
DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders): $92,000
The first three on the list know how to score. Amarikwa seems to have finally settled in Chicago, scoring three times already while cementing his place as the club’s go-to goalscorer. As much as people criticize Kansas City’s forwards, Dwyer has come on strong in the last year. He was a scoring machine during his loan spell in the USL Pro League and has shown the ability to take over matches with a single kick of the ball. Until a recent injury, Plata was the missing attacker that RSL fans have longed for since Fabian Espindola left town. Plata will be in for a big raise if he comes back strong.
Shipp is the early Rookie of the Year favourite and has been a shining light in Chicago’s disappointing start. His versatility and vision have been exceptional at times.
Remick and Yedlin could be Seattle’s fullback pairing for the next decade. Remick has been brilliant at times and has shown incredible composure for a rookie. Yedlin has already appeared in an MLS All-Star Game and looks poised for many more. Many analysts are now tipping him for a World Cup place these days.
Remember who tipped him for that same place months back? That’s right. I jump on boats early. Lots of them sink, but the ones that float are as majestic as Yedlin’s many hairstyles.
4. Overall Winner: Seattle Sounders
This one wasn’t a hard decision to come to. Martins and (finally) Dempsey are proving their worth. Remick and Yedlin are only going to get better. The team, despite being gutted this offseason, is loaded with MLS veterans at reasonable prices. Their total payroll is third highest in the league, but if they capture that elusive MLS Cup title it will all be worth it.
With both the television contract and collective bargaining agreement set to expire at the end of the season, MLS salaries could be in for even bigger growth in the near future. And as long as the majority of players continue to earn what they make, that will be a very good thing.
Happy Streak: 2
Talk to you next Monday!
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