Every year at this time, the MLS Players’ Union unveil the list of salaries and the most recent publication brought Montreal’s DP Marco Di Vaio up three spots into the top 5 salaries. Di Vaio was eighth in October 2012’s list.
No one country of origin really stands out when looking at the Top 20 salaries with French, Irish, Colombian, Argentinian, Dutch and American players tied at two a piece. In terms of clubs, the Red Bulls, L.A., Seattle and Toronto each have two members in the top 20.
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Since last October, the number of millionaires dropped from 12 to 8 (down 33%)
The value of the Top 20 salaries is $ 28 million (31 % of total) compared to 39,4 million in the Fall (down 28.9%)
Eight players are out of the Top 20 since last Fall, including David Beckham (3rd - PSG, D1/France); Kris Boyd (11th - Kilmarnock, D1-Scotland); Julian de Guzman (9th - Jahn Regensburg, D2-Germany); Torsten Frings (6th - retired); Rafa Marquez (2nd - Club Leon, D1-Mexico); Juan Pablo Angel (17th - Atletico Nacional, D1-Colombia); Barry Robson (18th - Sheffield United, D3-England); Eric Hassli (13th – pay cut, Dallas).
The new comers are Nigerian Obafemi Martins, Argentinians Federico Higuain and Diego Valeri, U.S. international Chris Wondolowski, the Netherlands’ Sherjill MacDonald, Brazil’s Kleberson, Costa Rica’s Alvaro Saborio and Frenchman Kalifa Cisse.
MLS Top 20 Salaries (May 1, 2013)
(Fall 2012 position between brackets)
1.(1) Thierry Henry (NY/FRA) $4,350,000
2.(5) Robbie Keane (LA/IRL) $4,333,333
3.(4) Tim Cahill (NY/AUS) $3,625,000
4.(7) Landon Donovan (LA/USA) $2,500,000
5.(8) Marco Di Vaio (MON/ITA) $1,937,508
6.(NC) Obafemi Martins (SEA/NGA)$ 1,725,000
7. (10) Danny Koevermans (TOR/NED) $1,663,323
8. (12) Kenny Miller (VAN/SCO) $1,132,492
9. (14) Fredy Montero (SEA/COL) $856,000*
10.(15) David Ferreira (DAL/COL) $730,000
11.(16) Dwayne DeRosario (DC/CAN) $645,333
12.(36) Federico Higuain (CLB/ARG) $604,000
13. (41) Chris Wondolowski (SJ/USA) $600,000
14. (19) Shalrie Joseph (SEA/GRN) $599,333
15. (21) Sherjill MacDonald (CHI/NED) $527,115
16. (NC) Kleberson (PHL/BRA) $495,000
17. (23) Darren O'Dea (TOR/IRL) $456,250
18. (39) Alvaro Saborio (RSL/CRC) $453,333
19. (NC)Kalifa Cisse (N.A./FRA) $445,000
20. (NC) Diego Valeri (POR/ARG) $400,000
*loaned to Colombia’s Millonarios.
Source: MLS Players’ Union