Philadelphia Union Salary Cap Situation After The Carlos Ruiz Transfer

Two weeks ago the Brotherly Game released information regarding the Philadelphia Union’s roster and salary cap, breaking down what the team looked like after releasing third string goalkeeper Thorne Holder. Selling Guatemalan striker Carlos Ruiz to Veracruz, in Mexico, has created some additional room in the Union’s salary cap for possible moves (but not an additional international player slot, as some people have speculated).

Danny Califf, Brian Carroll, Keon Daniel (International), Gabriel Farfan, Michael Farfan, Juan Diego Gonzalez (International), Sebastien Le Toux, Justin Mapp, Stefani Miglioranzi, Faryd Mondragon (International), Kyle Nakazawa, Veljko Paunovic (International), Roger Torres (International), Carlos Valdes (International) and Sheanon Williams are the only players currently emplyoed by the Union as first team members that count against the cap (also known as the senior team).

Together those 15 players add up to $1907498.17 in guaranteed salary fees, well under the $2.67 million 2011 season’s salary cap. Prior to selling Ruiz, the Union had about $413,831.83 to spend in salaries, sans Paunovic’s salary, which is currently unknown. If Ruiz’s full salary was to be wiped off of the Union’s cap, the team could bring in two designated players and still have a decent amount of money left over. That’s not how MLS rules allow it to work, though.

When a player is sold from a MLS team his salary is removed as a prorated amount. Ruiz played 22 of 34 regular season games for the Union at a rate of $306,607 for the year. That means the Union spent  $198,433.96 on Ruiz through 22 games, meaning that $108,236.71 of his $306,670.67 salary is now free. All told the Union have $522,068.54 in cap room to make moves this season, before factoring in Paunovic's salary.

Additionally, the Union have one discovery claim left for the senior team this year and one international roster spot open, since Holder was waived.