The MLS Players Union released its up-to-date salary numbers, and they just underscored the huge gap between the two New York teams on the league’s pay scale – and the wildly different returns on investment.

It should be noted that because of allocation funds and other hidden monies, these figures are not exact. But New York City FC’s aggregate salary of $17.41 million is the third-highest in MLS and one of the most expensive teams in league history, but their 9-14-7 record is third-worst.

With captain David Villa making $5,610,000, and summer additions Frank Lampard ($6,000,000) and Andrea Pirlo ($2,315,694) pulling in hefty salaries, they’re not exactly getting a lot of bang for their buck. But that’s not a huge surprise, since nine of the 11 MLS expansion clubs have failed to post winning records or make the playoffs. NYCFC will have to play well in its final four regular-season games to avoid a similar fate.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Red Bulls slashed payroll from $11.8 million last year to just about $4.22 million this year, if these numbers are accurate. But on the second-lowest payroll in MLS (ahead of only Dallas’ $4.09 million), sporting director Ali Curtis (and coach Jesse Marsch) have assembled a team that sits atop the Eastern Conference and tops the league in points-per-game at 1.71.

They brought in Argentine midfielder Gonzalo Veron and veteran English winger Sean Wright-Phillips this summer, both of whom got their first starts of the season in the 2-0 win at Portland and both of whom are on cost-efficient contracts.

Veron is a Designated Player because of the reported $2.2 million transfer fee paid to San Lorenzo. The Argentine is making a pro-rated $200,004, while Wright-Phillips – who was once sold from Manchester City to Chelsea for $30 million – is making $145,704.

Another noteworthy summer signing is Montreal’s Didier Drogba, who is making $1.67 million base and $2.17 million guaranteed.