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MLS Players Union releases 2012 salaries

Montreal Impact v New York Red Bulls

HARRISON, NJ - MARCH 31: Thierry Henry #14 of the New York Red Bulls acknowledges the fans following his hat-trick against the Montreal Impact at Red Bull Arena on March 31, 2012 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

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We’ll spend some time in the coming days drilling down on MLS salaries, released today by the MLS Players Association.

For now, peruse the Top 20 highest paid players in MLS.

There are two numbers listed here. First is the player’s current base salary.

The second “guaranteed compensation,” which the MLSPA describes as “an annual average guaranteed compensation number [including] a player’s base salary and all signing and guaranteed bonuses annualized over the term of the player’s contract, including option years.”

Just look at the list; no reason to get all lawyer-y about it. I mean, who are you, Jerry freakin’ Maguire?


  • Thierry Henry, New York: $5 million ($5.6m overall)
  • Rafael Marquez, New York: $4.6 million ($4.6m)
  • David Beckham, Los Angeles: $3 million ($4m)
  • Robbie Keane, Los Angeles: $2.9 million ($3.4m)
  • Landon Donovan, Los Angeles: $2.4 million ($2.4m)

  • Torsten Frings, Toronto: $2 million ($2.4m)
  • Julian de Guzman, Toronto: $1.9 million ($1.9m)
  • Kris Boyd, Portland: $1.2 million ($1.5m)
  • Danny Koevermans, Toronto: $1.1 million ($1.6m)
  • Dwayne De Rosario, D.C. United: $617,000 ($663,000)


  • Fredy Montero, Seattle: $600,000 ($756,000)
  • David Ferreira, Dallas: $600,000 ($705,000)
  • Eric Hassli, Vancover: $550,000 ($790,000)
  • Shalrie Joseph, New England: $495,000 ($554,000)
  • Javier Morales, Real Salt Lake: $425,000 ($477,000)


  • Branko Boskovic, D.C. United: $409,000 ($545,000)
  • Freddy Adu, Philadelphia: $400,000 ($519,000)
  • Benny Feilhaber, New England: $400,000 ($446,000)
  • Conor Casey, Colorado: $400,000 ($400,000)
  • Juan Pablo Angel, Chivas USA: $350,000 ($600,000)