The MLS Players Association announced revised salary numbers for the 2019 season, reflective of activity during the league’s summer transfer window.
The LA Galaxy’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic remains the league’s highest paid player, with an annual base salary and guaranteed compensation of $7.2 million. The top five is rounded out by Toronto midfielder Michael Bradley ($6m base, $6.5 total), TFC striker Jozy Altidore ($4.9m base, $6.3m total), LAFC forward Carlos Vela ($4.5m base, $6.3m total) and Chicago midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger ($5.6m base and total).
Giovani dos Santos, who had previously ranked second, is no longer on the list following the buyout of his contract by the LA Galaxy and subsequent move to Liga MX side Club America.
Among players who arrived during the summer, the New England Revolution’s Gustavo Bou was the highest paid player, with a base salary and guaranteed compensation of $2.1 million. He’s followed by Montreal Impact midfielder Bojan Krkic ($1.23m base, $1.53m total), Portland Timbers striker Brian Fernandez ($1.2m base, $1.27m total), LA Galaxy midfielder Cristian Pavon ($1.2 base and total) and Toronto FC defender Omar Gonzalez ($918,000 base, $1.19m total).
The average base salary fell a bit to $371,538 from compared to the June mark of $376,174. The same was true for the average guaranteed compensation figure which fell to $411,996 from the June figure of $417,643.
In a sign of the disparity in player salaries, the median base salary is $163,750, while the median guaranteed compensation is $179,498.
Based solely on the guaranteed compensation numbers, Toronto is the team with the highest payroll at $24.3 million, followed by the LA Galaxy ($19.6m), the Chicago Fire ($17.1m), LAFC ($13.8m) and the Seattle Sounders ($13.7m).
The Vancouver Whitecaps had the league’s lowest payroll at $8.1m followed by the Colorado Rapids (8.6m), the New York Red Bulls ($8.7m), the Houston Dynamo ($8.7m) and FC Dallas ($8.8m).