MLS homegrown signings: What do they make?

For comparison’s sake, here are the salaries of homegrown players from last year. The full list of homegrown player salaries from this week’s report is at the bottom.

2013/2014
M Harrison Shipp, Chicago Fire – $95,000
M Victor Pineda, Chicago Fire – $66,742
M Chris Ritter, Chicago Fire – $48,500
F Caleb Calvert, Chivas USA – $62,500
M Marco Delgado, Chivas USA – $77,500
D Chad Barson, Columbus Crew – $48,825
GK Matt Lampson, Columbus Crew – $48,825
M Ben Speas, Columbus Crew – $65,100
M Wil Trapp, Columbus Crew – $152,000
D/M Ross Friedman, Columbus Crew – $36,500
M Matt Walker, Columbus Crew – $36,500
D Matt Wiet, Columbus Crew – $36,500
M/D Shane O’Neill, Colorado Rapids – $67,750
M Dillon Serna, Colorado Rapids – $65,500
D Kelly Acosta, FC Dallas – $79,000
M Danny Garcia, FC Dallas – $71,000
GK Jesse Gonzalez, FC Dallas – $48,500
D Moises Hernandez, FC Dallas – $50,450
GK Richard Sanchez, FC Dallas – $72,000
F Jonathan Top, FC Dallas – $36,500
M Victor Ulloa, FC Dallas -$36,504
GK Bill Hamid, D.C. United – $114,750
M Collin Martin, D.C. United – $69,166
D Jalen Robinson, D.C. United – $67,000
M Conor Shanosky, D.C. United – $36,500
F Michael Seaton, D.C. United – $51,500
M Bryan Salazar, Houston Dynamo – $49,825
GK Tyler Deric, Houston Dynamo – $97,666
D Kevin Ellis, Sporting KC – $49,575
GK Jon Kempin, Sporting KC – $77,083
D Erik Palmer-Brown, Sporting KC – $49,000
M/F Bradford Jamieson IV, LA Galaxy – $36,500
F Jack McBean, LA Galaxy – $48,500
M Raul Mendiola, LA Galaxy $36,500
D Oscar Sorto, LA Galaxy – $50,700
F Jose Villareal, LA Galaxy – $50,700 (on loan with Cruz Azul)
F Gyasi Zardes, LA Galaxy – $198,000
GK Maxime Crepeau, Montreal Impact – $48,500
M Wandrille Lefevre, Montreal Impact – $48,500
M Zakaria Messoudi, Montreal Imapct – $36,504
D Karl Ouimette, Montreal Impact – $48,825
D Maxim Tissot, Montreal Impact – $48,500
M Scott Caldwell, New England – $59,813
F Diego Fagundez, New England – $137,200
GK Santiago Castano, New York Red Bulls – $36,500
M/D Connor Lade, New York Red Bulls – $61,963
D Matt Miazga, New York Red Bulls – $71,250
M Cristhian Hernandez, Philadelphia Union – $74,375
M Jimmy McLaughlin, Philadelphia Union – $75,000
M Zach Pfeffer, Philadelphia Union – $85,000
D Ethan White, Philadelphia Union – $80,000
D Bryan Gallego, Portland Timbers – $36,750
M Steven Evans, Portland Timbers – $53,825
D Jordan Allen, Real Salt Lake – $90,000
F Benji Lopez, Real Salt Lake – $51,105
D Carlos Salcedo, Real Salt Lake – $48,500
M Aaron Kovar, Seattle Sounders – $48,700
F Sean Okoli, Seattle Sounders – $48,750
D DeAndre Yedlin, Seattle Sounders – $92,000
M Tommy Thompson, San Jose Earthquakes – $145,000
M Manny Aparicio, Toronto FC – $48,500
F Jordan Hamilton, Toronto FC – $72,500
D Doneil Henry, Toronto FC – $87,083
D Ashtone Morgan, Toronto FC – $92,000
GK Quillan Roberts, Toronto FC – $48,825
D Sam Adekugbe, Vancouver Whitecaps – $55,000
M Bryce Alderson, Vancouver Whitecaps – $115,000
GK Marco Carducci, Vancouver Whitecaps – $36,504
F Caleb Clarke, Vancouver Whitecaps – $60,000 (on loan)
D Ethen Sampson, Vancouver Whitecaps – $36,504
M Russell Teibert, Vancouver Whitecaps – $75,600

2014/2015
Kellen Gulley-­$65,000/$79,000(cut)
Victor Pineda-­$46,500/53,242
Caleb Calvert-­$48,000/$55,500
Marco Delgado-­$50,000/$52,500
Chad Barson-­$46,500/$46,500
Aaron Horton-­$65,000/$80,500(cut)
Matt Lampson-­$46,500/$46,500
Ben Speas-­$62,000/$62,000
Wil Trapp-­$100,000/$127,000
Shane O’Neill-­$49,350/$60,850
Dillon Serna-­$46,500/$59,500
Kellyn Acosta-­$46,500/$70,500
Bradlee Baladez-­$35,125/$36,125(cut)
Jesse Gonzalez-­$35,125/$35,125
Moises Hernandez-­$46,500/$48,125
Richard Sanchez-­$46,500/$63,500
Jonathan Top-­$46,500/$46,500
Victor Ulloa-­$46,500/$49,000
London Woodberry-­$46,500/$46,500(cut)
Bill Hamid-­$75,000/$89,750
Collin Martin-­$35,125/$49,291
Michael Seaton-­$35,125/$38,125
Conor Shanosky-­$75,000/$89,218
Ethan White-­$75,000/$91,000
Bryan Salazar-­$46,500/$47,500
Kevin Ellis-­$46,500/$47,250
Erik Palmer-­Brown­‐$35,125/$35,625
Jack McBean-­$80,000/$101,000
Oscar Sorto-­$46,500/$48,375
Jose Villarreal-­$46,500/$48,375
Gyasi Zardes-­$100,000/$173,000
Karl Ouimette-­$46,500/$46,500
Maxime Crepeau-­$35,125/$35,125
Maxim Tissot-$35,125/$35,125
Zakaria Messoudi-­$35,125/$35,125
Juan Agudelo-­$145,000/$175,000(transfer)
Scott Caldwell-­$46,500/$54,000
Diego Fagundez-­$99,996/$127,196
Connor Lade-­$55,000/$59,213
Matt Miazga-­$60,000/$66,250
Amando Moreno-­$35,125/$35,125(cut)
Santiago Castano­‐$35,125/$35,125
Cristhian Hernandez-­$62,500/$64,375
James McLaughlin-­$60,000/$69,000
Zach Pfeffer-­$65,000/$75,000
Steven Evans-$46,500/$46,500
Brent Richards-­$65,625/$73,992
Benjamin Lopez-­$35,125/$37,730
Eduardo Fernandez-­$35,125/$35,125
DeAndre Yedlin-­$50,000/$53,500
Manuel Aparicio-­$35,125/$35,125
Ashtone Morgan-­$60,000/$72,000
Quillan Roberts-$46,500/$46,500
Doneil Henry-­$50,000/$62,083
Samuel Adekugbe-­$46,500/$51,500
Caleb Clarke-­$46,500/$46,500
Russell Teibert-­$60,000/$65,600
Bryce Alderson-$65,000/$80,000

Here is a list of average starting salaries by discipline 2013:(forbes)

Engineering $63,000
Computer Science $60,000
Business $54,000
Communications $43,000
Math & Sciences $42,700
Education $40,000
Humanities & Social Sciences $37,000

I was in Atlanta this week talking among other soccer fans about Torres. I understand he earns around $200k per week.

If I were a parent looking for the greatest potential return for my efforts, I would send my kid overseas as early as possible. No way you are going to get the proper training or the dollars in the former colonies.

baladez and woodberry have already been cut?    I guess the transition from college to pros just didnt go their way?   

What are the different routes and options for a bb (high school and older)to play overseas?

socmom99 wrote:What are the different routes and options for a bb (high school and older)to play overseas?

Unless a player has parents from Europe, it is very difficult. (Unless they are a national team level player.)

Depends on age. There are pay-to-play camps/tours available. If a player impresses enough, then they are sometimes offered an academy spot.

For 18+, it is even more difficult. (Due to work permit issues.)

18 is when most foreign players sign their first pro contracts.

The Netherlands and Belgium supposedly do not have the same restrictions on foreign players. Holland in particular does a good job with developing younger players.

The rule of thumb is, it is better to go over younger rather than after high school.

These camps/tours can be very expensive. Foreign clubs have begun to realize that too many American parents are willing to write big checks to send their kids to Europe...for the very small chance of being offered a roster spot.

very, very few Americans go overseas and really "make it". Especially Europe. Mexico and South America may be different though.

As far as MLS homegrown salaries, they are usually at least as good as what they would make in the private sector. Assuming they went to college, finished and have a degree in a field with strong starting salaries.

That said, given the level of play of MLS, their player salaries pale in comparison with even the second tiers of England, Spain, Italy. Germany and France.

And MLS is at the same level if not higher than the second tiers of the above mentioned leagues.

It's getting better though.

I've said it many times. getting paid to play beats the hell out of sitting in a cubicle or working construction.

At least for most.

Laimport wrote:

socmom99 wrote:What are the different routes and options for a bb (high school and older)to play overseas?

Unless a player has parents from Europe, it is very difficult. (Unless they are a national team level player.)

For 18+, it is even more difficult. (Due to work permit issues.)

18 is when most foreign players sign their first pro contracts.

The Netherlands and Belgium supposedly do not have the same restrictions on foreign players. Holland in particular does a good job with developing younger players.

The rule of thumb is, it is better to go over younger rather than after high school.

Given the recent ruling against Barcelona, it seems to have become even more difficult to move over younger without that European heritage. Exception may be some of the countries you mentioned like Holland, Belgium. I've heard some or all of the Scandanavian countries may be less restrictive on the work permit issue. Seems like a potential path would be to go to one of the less restrictive countries and try to get a roster spot for a couple of years establishing some European residency then become eligible for a work permit in a more restricted country. Haven't researched it enough (won't matter for my BBs) to know if that's possible, but I've heard anecdotally of some players considering that approach.

http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/01/95/83/85//regulationsstatusandtransfer_e.pdf

See the link above paying close attention to Rule 19 and 19b.  Based upon that FIFA rule, I would say the chances of a young American going over to Europe to train in a pro-academy are slim and none and slim just left the building.  ( this does not include going over to spend your parents  money at a summer camp and saying you trained for a spot on a European academy)

Unless your family has the ability to move to Europe ( discounting your kids soccer), then you  may have a chance.  Assuming you can find a job, set up residency and get a visa, (before your kid ever gets accepted to an academy).  

Also, I believe this is a FIFA rule and not related to immigration status.  So, your heritage does not matter.  You don't live there, you can't transfer to the club.  ( based upon my reading of the FIFA Regs and the recent article about Barcelona)  Also, since FIFA governs all major soccer countries, I don't think it matters if it is Europe, South AMerica, Mexico etc.

The best route for an American kid to get to Europe is to play a few years MLS, be one of the best players, making European clubs really want you and then they can apply for an exception to the immigration rules to bring you over.  After you are 21 or so, the FIFA rules should not be a problem.

With regard to the salaries, I would have gladly taken 45-65K a year to play pro soccer when I was 18-21 years old, not married and no kids. IT is where you go from there that matters. Agreed, it is not REAL PRO ATHLETE money, but it is a start and your foot is in the door.

Sprint wrote:http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/01/95/83/85//regulationsstatusandtransfer_e.pdf

See the link above paying close attention to Rule 19 and 19b.  Based upon that FIFA rule, I would say the chances of a young American going over to Europe to train in a pro-academy are slim and none and slim just left the building.  ( this does not include going over to spend your parents  money at a summer camp and saying you trained for a spot on a European academy)

Unless your family has the ability to move to Europe ( discounting your kids soccer), then you  may have a chance.  Assuming you can find a job, set up residency and get a visa, (before your kid ever gets accepted to an academy).  

Also, I believe this is a FIFA rule and not related to immigration status.  So, your heritage does not matter.  You don't live there, you can't transfer to the club.  ( based upon my reading of the FIFA Regs and the recent article about Barcelona)  Also, since FIFA governs all major soccer countries, I don't think it matters if it is Europe, South AMerica, Mexico etc.

The best route for an American kid to get to Europe is to play a few years MLS, be one of the best players, making European clubs really want you and then they can apply for an exception to the immigration rules to bring you over.  After you are 21 or so, the FIFA rules should not be a problem.

To clarify my earlier comments (which were not written very clearly), it seemed the easier path used to be for minors to get into a youth academy before work permit rules came into play, but with the Barcelona ruling this is now a very difficult path unless as you said, your entire family can move for non-soccer reasons, etc...  Now it seems it would be easier to wait until you're 18 years old at which point the FIFA rule 19 no longer applies.  At this point though you still have to battle the work permit rules which are very restrictive in many Euro countries.  This is where your heritage does matter and having a parent or grandparent can vastly help you get a work permit.  At age 18 is where you might also pursue the method I previously recommended of searching out a country with less-restrictive rules on immigrant work permits.  It might be easier to be a stud in lower leagues of Turkey/Finland, etc and work your way up while establishing some residency that may help towards a work permit.  That seems easier to me than being a USA national team pool player.  Of course, you won't get much compensation in the low leagues of low-competition countries so dad should be prepared to fund this endeavor...

or just go to Mexico and play for a club in a resort town   

debit wrote:

Sprint wrote:http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/01/95/83/85//regulationsstatusandtransfer_e.pdf

See the link above paying close attention to Rule 19 and 19b.  Based upon that FIFA rule, I would say the chances of a young American going over to Europe to train in a pro-academy are slim and none and slim just left the building.  ( this does not include going over to spend your parents  money at a summer camp and saying you trained for a spot on a European academy)

Unless your family has the ability to move to Europe ( discounting your kids soccer), then you  may have a chance.  Assuming you can find a job, set up residency and get a visa, (before your kid ever gets accepted to an academy).  

Also, I believe this is a FIFA rule and not related to immigration status.  So, your heritage does not matter.  You don't live there, you can't transfer to the club.  ( based upon my reading of the FIFA Regs and the recent article about Barcelona)  Also, since FIFA governs all major soccer countries, I don't think it matters if it is Europe, South AMerica, Mexico etc.

The best route for an American kid to get to Europe is to play a few years MLS, be one of the best players, making European clubs really want you and then they can apply for an exception to the immigration rules to bring you over.  After you are 21 or so, the FIFA rules should not be a problem.

To clarify my earlier comments (which were not written very clearly), it seemed the easier path used to be for minors to get into a youth academy before work permit rules came into play, but with the Barcelona ruling this is now a very difficult path unless as you said, your entire family can move for non-soccer reasons, etc...  Now it seems it would be easier to wait until you're 18 years old at which point the FIFA rule 19 no longer applies.  At this point though you still have to battle the work permit rules which are very restrictive in many Euro countries.  This is where your heritage does matter and having a parent or grandparent can vastly help you get a work permit.  At age 18 is where you might also pursue the method I previously recommended of searching out a country with less-restrictive rules on immigrant work permits.  It might be easier to be a stud in lower leagues of Turkey/Finland, etc and work your way up while establishing some residency that may help towards a work permit.  That seems easier to me than being a USA national team pool player.  Of course, you won't get much compensation in the low leagues of low-competition countries so dad should be prepared to fund this endeavor...

or just go to Mexico and play for a club in a resort town   

I agree with you and there are two issues:

1. fifa rules ( prevent kids from moving to European Academies unless parents move for non soccer reasons); and

2. immigrations status. ( prevents kids over 18 from going to Europe unless they have the right heritage or meet one of a few very limited exceptions)
The Turkey or Finland route also makes sense but have no idea how they apply the immigrations rules.

To add to that, this article claims even MESSI would not have been able to go to Barca as a kid under the current FIFA rules.

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1380496/blatter-backs-fifa-over-barca-youth-suspensions?cc=5901.

Sprint wrote:http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/01/95/83/85//regulationsstatusandtransfer_e.pdf

See the link above paying close attention to Rule 19 and 19b.  Based upon that FIFA rule, I would say the chances of a young American going over to Europe to train in a pro-academy are slim and none and slim just left the building.  ( this does not include going over to spend your parents  money at a summer camp and saying you trained for a spot on a European academy)

Unless your family has the ability to move to Europe ( discounting your kids soccer), then you  may have a chance.  Assuming you can find a job, set up residency and get a visa, (before your kid ever gets accepted to an academy).  

Also, I believe this is a FIFA rule and not related to immigration status.  So, your heritage does not matter.  You don't live there, you can't transfer to the club.  ( based upon my reading of the FIFA Regs and the recent article about Barcelona)  Also, since FIFA governs all major soccer countries, I don't think it matters if it is Europe, South AMerica, Mexico etc.

The best route for an American kid to get to Europe is to play a few years MLS, be one of the best players, making European clubs really want you and then they can apply for an exception to the immigration rules to bring you over.  After you are 21 or so, the FIFA rules should not be a problem.

Thanks for the link.

Actually, there are quite a few American (youth) players at European academies. 2 or 3 at Dynamo Zagreb. One at Barcelona. One at Fulham. One in the Liverpool reserves (U21's) and many others.

it does happen. But it is rare for them to make it all the way to the first team.

Jared Jeffrey went to Belgium at 17. Played u19 and then reserves for Club Brugge. Then went to Mainz in the Bundesliga.

For whatever reason, he never broke through into the first team. Now, at 22/23 he is back in MLS last I heard. At DC United I think.

Some years back, a guy named Danny Karbassiyoon was 'spotted' at the Adidas ESP camp at 17. He was considered good but nowhere near national pool level. Anyway, on advice from a coach at the camp, he was invited for a trial with Arsenal. He impressed, came back and finished high school and went over to England and earned a contract with Arsenal.

He was the only American ever to score a goal for Arsenal. Unfortunately, this was the time when Arsenal dominated the EPL. Karbassiyoon was loaned out to lower division sides and eventually forced to retire at 24/25 due to knee injuries.

Now, he's the North American scout for Arsenal. So, there is a happy ending.

My point is that this is not a "new" development. In fact, it is becoming more and more common for American kids to go to European academies.

Now if you can stomach sending your 14-17 yr old overseas to live basically on their own to pursue that dream...well, let's just say that would be a very tough decision in my family.

I'm not against it per se. Just would be very tough. At 18 it's easier but still tough.

IMHO, there are plenty of American players who are just as good as these Academy players in Europe. I think the main difference is that from 18-21 the better players are starting to get first team playing time. (Course the coaching is probably much better.) Nobody cares if the U19 or reserve teams win their games or not.

They are all about getting the most out of the players and getting them into the first team. Or "sell" the ones that won't make it to lower division clubs. That's how academies make money!

Sprint wrote:With regard to the salaries, I would have gladly taken 45-65K a year to play pro soccer when I was 18-21 years old, not married and no kids.  IT is where you go from there that matters.  Agreed, it is not REAL PRO ATHLETE money, but it is a start and your foot is in the door.  

you mean ridiculously way over paid real pro athlete ???   

omega striker wrote:

Sprint wrote:With regard to the salaries, I would have gladly taken 45-65K a year to play pro soccer when I was 18-21 years old, not married and no kids.  IT is where you go from there that matters.  Agreed, it is not REAL PRO ATHLETE money, but it is a start and your foot is in the door.  

you mean ridiculously way over paid real pro athlete ???   

I am all for free markets and whatever the market will allow, so be it. If enough people decided it was not worth $150 a ticket for the cheap seats and a $75 parking pass, I suppose back up QB's would not make more than brain surgeons, but its not my money.    

Final Four for $4500 courtside anyone? No wonder college athletes want a piece of that pie.

Sprint wrote:

omega striker wrote:

Sprint wrote:With regard to the salaries, I would have gladly taken 45-65K a year to play pro soccer when I was 18-21 years old, not married and no kids.  IT is where you go from there that matters.  Agreed, it is not REAL PRO ATHLETE money, but it is a start and your foot is in the door.  

you mean ridiculously way over paid real pro athlete ???   

I am all for free markets and whatever the market will allow, so be it.  If enough people decided it was not worth $150 a ticket for the cheap seats and a $75 parking pass, I suppose back up QB's would not make more than brain surgeons, but its not my money.     

Final Four for $4500 courtside anyone?   No wonder college athletes want a piece of that pie.  

exactly!!!!   

Laimport wrote:

Sprint wrote:http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/01/95/83/85//regulationsstatusandtransfer_e.pdf

See the link above paying close attention to Rule 19 and 19b.  Based upon that FIFA rule, I would say the chances of a young American going over to Europe to train in a pro-academy are slim and none and slim just left the building.  ( this does not include going over to spend your parents  money at a summer camp and saying you trained for a spot on a European academy)

Unless your family has the ability to move to Europe ( discounting your kids soccer), then you  may have a chance.  Assuming you can find a job, set up residency and get a visa, (before your kid ever gets accepted to an academy).  

Also, I believe this is a FIFA rule and not related to immigration status.  So, your heritage does not matter.  You don't live there, you can't transfer to the club.  ( based upon my reading of the FIFA Regs and the recent article about Barcelona)  Also, since FIFA governs all major soccer countries, I don't think it matters if it is Europe, South AMerica, Mexico etc.

The best route for an American kid to get to Europe is to play a few years MLS, be one of the best players, making European clubs really want you and then they can apply for an exception to the immigration rules to bring you over.  After you are 21 or so, the FIFA rules should not be a problem.

Thanks for the link.

Actually, there are quite a few American (youth) players at European academies. 2 or 3 at Dynamo Zagreb. One at Barcelona. One at Fulham. One in the Liverpool reserves (U21's) and many others.

it does happen. But it is rare for them to make it all the way to the first team.

Jared Jeffrey went to Belgium at 17. Played u19 and then reserves for Club Brugge. Then went to Mainz in the Bundesliga.

For whatever reason, he never broke through into the first team. Now, at 22/23 he is back in MLS last I heard. At DC United I think.

Some years back, a guy named Danny Karbassiyoon was 'spotted' at the Adidas ESP camp at 17. He was considered good but nowhere near national pool level. Anyway, on advice from a coach at the camp, he was invited for a trial with Arsenal. He impressed, came back and finished high school and went over to England and earned a contract with Arsenal.

He was the only American ever to score a goal for Arsenal. Unfortunately, this was the time when Arsenal dominated the EPL. Karbassiyoon was loaned out to lower division sides and eventually forced to retire at 24/25 due to knee injuries.

Now, he's the North American scout for Arsenal. So, there is a happy ending.

My point is that this is not a "new" development. In fact, it is becoming more and more common for American kids to go to European academies.

Now if you can stomach sending your 14-17 yr old overseas to live basically on their own to pursue that dream...well, let's just say that would be a very tough decision in my family.

I'm not against it per se. Just would be very tough. At 18 it's easier but still tough.

IMHO, there are plenty of American players who are just as good as these Academy players in Europe. I think the main difference is that from 18-21 the better players are starting to get first team playing time. (Course the coaching is probably much better.) Nobody cares if the U19 or reserve teams win their games or not.

They are all about getting the most out of the players and getting them into the first team. Or "sell" the ones that won't make it to lower division clubs. That's how academies make money!

 

That is interesting with regard to the ones you mentioned. Not sure how they made it over there unless they complied with the regulations set out by FIFA and if so, their amilies made some major sacrifices. I think the Fulham player is the player from Plano and related to former FCD coach, so maybe he could pull some strings. I think this Barca issue may effect the one player from California over there and his name was mentioned as one of the kids that Barca is being sanctioned for.

See http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/espnfcunited/id/13380?cc=5901 It mentions Ben Lederman, as he is the player from California.

I would dispute it is common or easy to do, simply based upon the fact the FIFA rules seem pretty clear, but you have some good examples. I think if anything, it will get harder if this Barca case sets a significant precedence of fines.