Updated MLS salary data released; Union still rank in lower third of league

The Major League Soccer Players’ Union released the salaries of all league players on Tuesday. As usual, the Union compensation ranks in the lower third of the league. Peaking at the data simultaneously elicits both dismay and pride.

Fans can certainly be dismayed at the lower level of investment in what is considered a major sports market. Fans could also dream of what could be – if these owners could only spend a little more, would that push them over the edge in these painfully close outcomes?

But on the flip side, fans should equally be in awe of what Ernst Tanner and Jim Curtin have been able to accomplish with relatively fewer resources. The Union are currently ranked as the 9th best team in Concacaf according to a new ranking by the confederation. What an accomplishment, and it’s still not finished.

For players on the roster as of April 30, the Union have committed to paying the team $12.8 million, ranking 22nd out of 29 teams. Here’s a view of the Union’s spend since 2013. The Union are represented by the blue line.

Money doesn’t always buy happiness in this league. Toronto FC and the LA Galaxy will spend a combined $49 million this year, and so far have a combined 4 wins to show for it.

Here’s a look at how the Union have distributed their spend across positions over the last 11 years.

One thing that jumps out is that the Union have never spent more on their defense this year, as a percentage of their overall spend. They’ve also never spent a lower percentage on their midfield, despite giving Daniel Gazdag a raise.

Since Tanner arrived before the 2019 season, he has clearly shifted more spend to the defense. He’s also slowly invested a bigger share of his budget to the forwards.

Lastly, here’s the player detail. Mikael Uhre is the highest paid player, followed by Gazdag and Bedoya. Together they tally 34 percent of the team’s budget.