Paul Arriola and Zoltan Stieber, midfielders acquired by D.C. United during a spending spree this summer, are carrying two of the biggest long-term contracts on the team. But according to figures compiled by the MLS Players’ Union, their current salaries are rather modest.
The reason: They arrived in mid-season when salary cap space was limited and the team structured the deals with escalating amounts over the course of their guaranteed pacts.
Arriola, a 22-year-old right wing from the U.S. national team, is listed at $336,000 in base salary and $350,000 in guaranteed annual compensation. However, he is a designated player who will earn more than $1 million in the future, sources said at the time of his transfer from Mexican club Tijuana. Stieber, a Hungarian international who turns 29 next week, is listed at $100,000 in both categories. He, too, will collect considerably more.
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They were among five players signed by last-place United before the roster freeze last month. The others were midfielder Russell Canouse ($65,000 base), forward Bruno Miranda ($53,000) and goalkeeper Steve Clark ($72,000). Canouse, who arrived from the German circuit, is also slated to earn much more than is listed. Miranda’s figure is probably lower than he is earning because he’s on loan from Universidad Chile through the 2018 season.
United has been among the thriftiest teams in the league for many years, but with the team struggling and a new stadium opening next summer, ownership opened the purse strings this summer and plans to add at least one additional high-priced player this winter.
A structured deal also affects players such as Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan, a fixture in the England leagues and with the U.S. national team. He’s listed at only $340,000 base and $400,000 guaranteed.
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Here are the base salaries and guaranteed annual compensation for 44 players acquired by MLS teams in recent months (rounded off):
ATLANTA UNITED
Brad Guzan: $340,000 base salary, $400,000 guaranteed comp
CHICAGO FIRE
Richard Sanchez: $65,000, $65,000
Jorge Corrales: $65,000, $65,000
COLORADO RAPIDS
Stefan Aigner: $425,000, $471,000
COLUMBUS CREW
Pedro Santos: $684,000, $731,000
D.C. UNITED
Deshorn Brown: $265,000, $337,000
Russell Canouse: $65,000, $65,000
Bruno Miranda: $53,000, $57,000
Zoltan Stieber: $100,000, $100,000
Paul Arriola: $336,000, $350,000
Steve Clark: $72,000, $72,000
Luis Gonzalez: $65,000, $83,000
Eduardo Cortes: $65,000, $65,000
HOUSTON DYNAMO
Tomas Martinez: $315,000, $498,000
Philippe Senderos: $225,000, $243,000
LOS ANGELES GALAXY
Pele van Anholt: $216,000, $216,000
Jonathan dos Santos: $2,000,000, $2,000,000
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Michael Ciani: $600,000, $620,000
MINNESOTA UNITED
Sam Nicholson: $235,000, $281,000
Michael Boxall: $225,000, $242,000
Alex Kapp: $53,000, $53,000
Jose Leiton: $53,000, $68,000
MONTREAL IMPACT
Deian Boldor: $324,000, $324,000
Samuel Piette: $90,000, $99,000
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
Krisztian Nemeth: $547,000, $655,000
Gershon Koffie: $120,000, $120,000
Claude Dielna: $780,000, $910,000
NEW YORK CITY FC
Andraz Struna: $76,000, $76,000
NEW YORK RED BULLS
Fidel Escobar: $95,000, $95,000
Muhamed Keita: $200,000, $256,000
Vincent Bezecourt: $53,000, $53,000
ORLANDO CITY
Yoshimer Yotun: $550,000, $600,000
PORTLAND TIMBERS
Larrys Mabiala: $432,000, $481,000
Bill Tuiloma: $53,000, $64,000
REAL SALT LAKE
Jefferson Savarino: $353,000, $376,000
Marcelo Silva: $675,000, $712,000
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
Valeri Qazaishvili: $1,325,000, $1,454,000
Francois Affloter: $120,000, $154,000
SEATTLE SOUNDERS
Kelvin Leerdam: $351,000, $486,000
Victor Rodriguez: $1,000,000, $1,087,000
SPORTING KANSAS CITY
Cristian Lobato: $180,000, $180,000
TORONTO FC
Nicolas Hasler: $65,000, $81,000
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS
Bernie Ibini: $135,000, $174,000
Stefan Marinovic: $65,000, $78,000
Aly Ghazal: $87,000, $212,000
Nosa Igiebor: $65,000, $98,000
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