2010 MLS Semi-Finals Salary Battle

Let’s see how the 2010 Major League Soccer semi-final teams match up in terms of salaries. We’ll look at the eleven players most likely to start for each team and their base salaries.

From the get go you’ll see that LA Galaxy defender AJ DeLaGarza is probably the steal of the whole group, as he’s making just over $45,000 but is playing like Ashley Cole. I’m guessing he’ll get quite a raise next year if he stays with the Galaxy. And then there’s the Galaxy’s Victor Junior, who seems like a pretty inexpensive Brazilian at just $70,000 per year.

Over in San Jose there’s quite a bargain too, as Chris Wondolowski, the potential MVP of the league is making just $48,000. He too will have a much larger bank account next year.

As far as goalkeepers, there’s some pretty good deals that stand out. Jon Busch is making $84,000 and Kevin Hartman $10K less at $75,000 per year. These are two great keepers for nearly half the price of say LA’s Donovan Ricketts who earns $160,000 or Colorado’s Matt Pickens, who’s making $135,000 to block shots for the Rapids.

Of course, the two big salaries that jump out at you are David Beckham’s $5,500,000 and Landon Donovan’s $2,050,000.

Tough luck for San Jose’s Brandon McDonald, who’s making just $40,000 per year, however, I’m sure this is going to at least double for McDonald as he’s played well all year.

Of course the totals above are skewed since there are a few players whose salaries weren’t listed, but this still gives you a look at how the teams match up when looking at the bottom line.

So, as you watch the MLS playoff games unfold this weekend you can say, aah, there’s no way so and so should be making that much or maybe, so and so sure should be making a lot more than he is.

Schedule:

San Jose at Colorado Nov. 13 at 9:30 pm ET on Fox Soccer Channel

Dallas at LA Galaxy Nov. 14 at 9pm ET on ESPN2