MATT KREMKAU - EMPIRE OF SOCCER

by ANTHONY J. MERCED

The MLS Players Union has released the updated player salaries for 2016 and the New York Red Bulls still appear to getting the most bang for their buck of any team in MLS.

Currently RBNY is tied for second in the Eastern Conference with NYCFC but spent only a fraction of what their crosstown rivals have spent on talent.

The highest paid player on the team continues to be designated player Bradley Wright-Phillips who appears to be a bargain having scored 20 goals, league high, this season. His salary comes in at $715,000 — just about $5 million less than NYCFC star striker David Villa who has 19 goals. The disparity between pay and production doesn’t stop there as 2016 MLS assist leader Sacha Kljestan is second on the team’s salary list with $687,500.

There are a few players who appear to not be producing on the level that their salaries would suggest. Gideon Baah, who has been injury prone and only making six appearances all season, pulls down $315,500. Also, designated player Gonzalo Veron is finally seeing the money that makes him a DP signing with $500,000 with none of the playing time to match.

As for the newcomers, Omar Damari (DP) is listed at $228,499, Daniel Royer at $365k and Aaron Long at $51,504.00.

In total the New York Red Bulls player spending equals just over $6.2 million, far less than Toronto FC at over $21.5 million and NYCFC at $21.1 million. Ali Curtis and Jesse Marsch have put the much lauded 300 page plan to good use by making the New York Red Bulls both economically savvy and ultra competitive.

TOP FIVE EARNERS

Bradley Wright-Phillips – $710k Sacha Kljestan – $687.5k Aurelien Collin – $525k Dax McCarty – $500k Gonzalo Veron – $500k

BOTTOM EARNERS