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With the Major League Soccer Players Union releasing salary numbers for all players in the league this weekend, I thought it would be interesting to compare the money earned by Whitecaps FC players with their on-field contributions at this early point in the season.
Who is earning their keep? Who contributes the most bang for the ownership’s buck? Who is earning more than they should?
Let’s have a look at the Whitecaps starting XI, when everybody is fit.
Jay Nolly: The Caps starting keeper earns $65,000.
Analysis: Nolly, while in a good run of form the past few games, has shown poor positioning at times and in my view has cost the team some points. He’s had a few consistent games in a row now but I’m surprised head coach Teitur Thordarson hasn’t had more of a look at two-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Joe Cannon, who is making a staggering $209,756.25 to sit on the bench. In terms of value for money $65,000 seems about right given his lack of experience at the top level and his inconsistent play this campaign.
Jonathan Leathers: The starting right back earns $42,000.
Analysis: For $42,000, Leathers provides consistency and stability as a right fullback for the Whitecaps. He’s played every minute of every game so far and has looked steady without being particularly dynamic offensively. In terms of value he looks like a savvy pickup from Caps management.
Jay DeMerit: The Whitecaps oft-injured captain earns a guaranteed salary of $350,000.
Analysis: DeMerit has looked good in the two games he’s played, but with his salary hit the club will be hoping his injury problems so far have been a hiccup rather than the beginning of a trend.
Mouloud Akloul: The French centreback earns $150,000 annually.
Analysis: Akloul is a player with skill on the ball and a strong personality. Every top team needs a centreback with creativity to help generate offense from the back and he has the necessary skills. However, he’s just back from injury so it’s difficult to evaluate how good he will be when he hits full form. At times his decision making and focus have been suspect in recent games, but this is most likely rust after missing so much time due to injury. Fans should be very excited to see him play alongside DeMerit when both are fit as their styles should complement each other well.
Alain Rochat: The versatile Swiss international earns $150,000 annually.
Analysis: Rochat has been a rock at the back and has offered an offensive threat when played at his favoured left fullback position. While $150,000 isn’t cheap, he has been one of the Whitecaps best performers this season and if anybody has looked full value for a six-figure wage, it’s him.
Davide Chiumiento: The tricky attacking winger earns a hefty $280,000.
Analysis: Chiumiento is an elite talent by the standard of MLS and is worth the $280,000 he earns. He is on the team to create and is currently second in the league in assists with five alongside David Beckham, and just behind Brad Davis. As a comparison Davis earns a guaranteed salary of $278,063 and Beckham earns a guaranteed salary of $6.5-million.
Terry Dunfield: The Vancouver-born central midfielder earns $65,000 a year.
Analysis: When Dunfield plays, the team is better. In the matches he missed due to injury, the midfield looked a bit dysfunctional. That said, the Caps have struggled to keep possession in many games he’s been involved in which he must take some responsibility for. Given his injury history and age, $65,000 seems to be a good figure for both player and club.
Gershon Koffie: The Ghanaian midfielder earns a guaranteed salary of $79,764.38.
Analysis: Koffie has been very good for the Whitecaps and was clearly missed when away with the Ghana under-20 international side. Nearly $80,000 for a 19-year-old is a lot of dough but Koffie will only improve with time and could go on to be a key player for the Caps for years to come.
Russell Teibert: The Canadian U-20 international earns a guaranteed salary of $55,604.
Analysis: In terms of value for money, it doesn’t get better than this. Teibert is a young talent who is only going to get better for the Whitecaps and hopefully for the Canadian national team when he’s ready. To make things even better, Teibert is a Generation Adidas player, meaning his modest salary doesn’t even count against the salary cap.
Eric Hassli: The Whitecaps designated player has a staggering guaranteed annual salary of $900,000.
Analysis: He’s making a lot of money, and it’s been a case of more raised eyebrows than raised arms in the stands this season when it comes to the big Frenchman. That said, he clearly has class on the ball and a powerful physique. If he can learn how to walk the fine line of being physical without being reckless he could play to his potential. He started the year too aggressively and is now playing as if he’s walking on eggshells. Once he finds his groove he’ll look like a more sensible signing.
Camilo Sanvezzo: The Brazilian striker earns a guaranteed salary of $130,420.
Analysis: Camilo has three goals this season but now finds himself in a rut. While talented as an individual, it’s unfortunate Atiba Harris went down injured when he did, as the two seemed to have a great understanding. Unfortunately that chemistry doesn’t seem to be there with Hassli but perhaps this will improve with time. Right now it seems like an awful lot of money but the player clearly has talent and has struggled to receive much in the way of quality service from the midfield in recent games.
Players outside the starting XI with interesting salary considerations:
Omar Salgado: The first overall pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft earns a guaranteed salary of $121,868.67. Like Teibert, he is a Generation Adidas player so this figure does not count against the salary cap.
John Thorrington: The experienced central midfielder has hardly played but earns a significant $207,200. When fully fit I think he’s just as good or better than the current incumbents in central midfield but if he continues to struggle with injury this figure won’t look good.
Joe Cannon: As mentioned above, Cannon is one of the highest earners at $209,756.25 after bonuses are taken into consideration. He’s a very good keeper and while I admire Thordarson’s loyalty to Nolly as he was the Caps No. 1 the past few seasons, I think Cannon would be the better choice based on his talent and experience.
Alexandre Morfaw: The young Cameroonian earns a hefty $90,000 but has hardly played for the Whitecaps so far due to injury. He is a very talented player but injury has been an issue throughout his young career. If Thordarson gives him a chance to play he might add some dynamism to an often defence-first midfield but until that opportunity comes that $90,000 looks excessive.
Here is the complete salary information for Whitecaps FC. To see salaries from around the league, visit the MLS Players Union website.
Name Position Base Salary Guaranteed Compensation
Akloul Mouloud D $150,000.00 $150,000.00
Boxall Michael D $42,000.00 $42,000.00
Brovsky Jeb M $42,000.00 $42,000.00
Cannon Joe GK $199,500.00 $209,756.25
Chiumiento Davide M/F $280,000.00 $280,000.00
Davies Philippe M $32,600.00 $32,600.00
Demerit Jay D $300,000.00 $350,000.00
Duckett Bilal D $32,600.00 $32,600.00
Dunfield Terry M $65,000.00 $65,000.00
Harmse Kevin D $42,000.00 $42,000.00
Harris Atiba M-F $77,590.00 $80,590.00
Hassli Eric F $660,000.00 $900,000.00
Janicki Greg D $45,000.00 $45,000.00
Khalfan Nizar M $60,000.00 $61,250.00
Knight Wes M/D $50,000.00 $50,000.00
Koffie Gershon M $75,000.00 $79,764.38
Leathers Jonathan D $42,000.00 $42,000.00
Morfaw Alexandre M $90,000.00 $90,000.00
Nanchoff Michael M $60,000.00 $95,000.00
Nolly Jay GK $65,000.00 $65,000.00
Rochat Alain D $150,000.00 $150,000.00
Salgado Omar F $80,000.00 $121,868.67
Salinas Shea M $44,000.00 $44,000.00
Sanvezzo Camilo F $127,920.00 $130,420.00
Sylvestre Brian GK $32,600.04 $32,600.04
Tan Long F $32,600.04 $32,600.04
Teibert Russell M $50,004.00 $55,604.00
Thorrington John M $194,700.00 $207,200.00
Wagner Blake D $42,000.00 $42,000.00
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