Major League Soccer (MLS) team Seattle Sounders FC boasts a strong roster, featuring both highly skilled and upcoming players. Analyzing their salaries offers insight into how the team invests in talent and remains competitive in the league.
The average base salary of a Seattle Sounder player is $654,935 with an average annualized guaranteed compensation of $728,748 on a roster of 26 players. The highest-paid player is Nicolás Lodeiro, with a base salary of $2,640,000 and guaranteed compensation of $3,256,667.
Comparing these figures to other MLS teams, a pattern emerges that sheds light on the strategic allocation of resources for acquiring and retaining key players. This investment delivers results for the Sounders, as they consistently perform well year after year. In contrast, younger and less experienced players often receive lower salaries as they work to prove their worth on the field.
By examining Seattle Sounders FC’s salary structure, one can better understand how this club balances long-term player growth with immediate on-field success, distinguishing itself from other MLS teams in the process.
Table of Contents
- Seattle Sounders FC Salaries
- Top 3 Highest-Paid Players
- The proportion of spending on the Highest Earners
- Seattle Sounders FC Salaries Compared to Other MLS Teams
Seattle Sounders FC Salaries
Here is a breakdown of The Sounders players’ base salary and guaranteed compensation.
Top 3 Highest-Paid Players
The Seattle Sounders FC has some of the highest-paid players in Major League Soccer. In this section, we will take a look at the top three earners within the team,
- Nicolás Lodeiro – $3,256,667
- Raúl Ruidíaz – $3,201,120
- Albert Rusnák – $1,871,667
discussing each player’s position, base salary, and guaranteed compensation.
1. Nicolás Lodeiro – $3,256,667
Lodeiro was signed by Seattle Sounders FC in July 2016 as their Designated Player. His impact on the team was immediate, as he helped lead the team to the MLS Cup championship in his first season. He has since become a key player for the team and has been instrumental in their success in recent years.
Lodeiro’s compensation is reported to be $3,256,667, making him the highest-paid player on the team. According to Transfermarkt, Lodeiro’s current market value is €1.8 million.
2. Raúl Ruidíaz – $3,201,120
Raúl Ruidíaz, born on July 25, 1990, in Lima, Peru, was signed by Seattle Sounders FC in June 2018 as their Designated Player. He has represented Peru at the international level and has been described as a clinical finisher with excellent movement and positioning in the box.
According to Transfermarkt, Ruidíaz’s current market value is €4 million. Ruidíaz’s compensation is reported to be $3,201,120, making him the second-highest-paid player on the team, not too far from the top earner Nicolás Lodeiro.
3. Albert Rusnák – $1,871,667
Rusnák, born on July 7, 1994, in Velky Meder, Slovakia, was signed by Seattle Sounders FC in January 2022 as their Designated Player. He has represented Slovakia at the international level and has been described as a creative playmaker with excellent technical ability and vision.
Rusnák’s compensation is reported to be $1,871,667, making him one of the highest-paid players on the team. According to Transfermarkt, Rusnák’s current market value is €3 million.
Rusnák has had a successful career both domestically and internationally. He has won several titles throughout his career, including the Dutch Cup and the Slovak Super Liga. He was also named to the MLS Best XI in 2018.
Prior to joining Seattle Sounders FC, Rusnák played for several clubs, including Groningen in the Netherlands, Manchester City in England, and Real Salt Lake in the United States.
The proportion of spending on the Highest Earners
The Seattle Sounders FC allocates a significant proportion of their spending on a select group of top earners.
Among the 26 players in the squad, the top six players receive a combined base salary of $11,082,000, which accounts for more than half of the team’s total wage bill of $18,947,463 per year. This group of highest earners consists of Nicolás Lodeiro, Raúl Ruidíaz, Albert Rusnák, Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldán, and João Paulo Mior.
In particular, Nicolás Lodeiro stands out as the highest earner, receiving a weekly salary of $72,610 or a base salary of $2,640,000 annually. His guaranteed compensation amounts to $3,256,667, making him a critical investment for the Seattle Sounders FC as he accounts for 17% of the whole team payroll.
Looking at the proportion between designated players and the rest of the team, they account for 44% of the Sounders payroll.
Despite the designated players representing a good percentage of the overall payroll, it is not the highest compared to cases like Chicago Fire with 58% of their payroll towards their 3 designated players.
While the highest earners do receive substantial salaries, it’s important to note the variance among the squad. The lower end of the team’s payroll consists of younger and less experienced players like Obed Vargas and Sota Kitahara, who earn $67,360 annually.
This discrepancy highlights the club’s approach to balancing investment in proven talent while also nurturing and developing newer players.
Seattle Sounders FC Salaries Compared to Other MLS Teams
When comparing the Seattle Sounders FC with other MLS teams, it’s important to consider the team’s overall salary cap. For the 2023 season, the Sounders find themselves up against the salary cap. This challenges the team to make strategic decisions on player retention, trades, and acquisitions while staying within the cap limits.
Comparing Seattle Sounders FC’s spending to other MLS teams, the club is ranked 7th in terms of highest base salary spending, according to the MLS Teams and Players Salary Report. This investment in top talent is balanced with the growth of rising stars, indicating a well-rounded approach to team development.
In contrast, Toronto FC players bag the highest average salary of $739,946 per player. This puts Seattle Sounders FC in a competitive, yet not extravagant, position in terms of payroll.
Toronto FC and LA Galaxy have a payroll of over $25 and $23 million respectively. That’s a difference of over 6 and 4 million in payroll between the most expensive team in the MLS and Seattle Sounders FC.
