Benny Feilhaber Makes $400K

The New England Revolution just signed Mr. Feilhaber to a new contract for where he will make $400,000 a year. Where does Benny Feilhaber fit in the pay scale of current MLS players?

Recently, Kyle Martino called the MLS out on their spending habits, saying why is the MLS willing to shell out this much money for a player who didn’t make it Europe and then not play their home grown talent just has handsomely.

But Failhaber is on the United States national team. He just played in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Perhaps that salary is a warranted, especially when you take those two factors into account. But, would they have got him for $250,000? I don’t know the ins and outs of the MLS negotiation tactics of the MLS. However, if you look at the top players in the league, they are making a fair sum of money:

David Beckham LA Galaxy $6,500,000
Thierry Henry NY Red Bulls $5,600,000
Rafa Marques NY Red Bulls $5,544,000
Landon Donovan LA Galaxy $2,127,778
Juan Pablo Angel NY Red Bulls $1,918,000
Julian De Guzman Toronto FC $1,717,546
Mista Toronto FC $987,337
Branko Boskovic DC United $516,200
Shalrie Joseph New England $475,000
Dwayne DeRosario NY Red Bulls $443,750
Brian Ching Houston Dynamo $350,000
Carl Robinson Toronto FC NY Red Bulls $315,000
Bobby Convey San Jose Earthquakes $307,500
David Ferreira FC Dallas $300,000
Alvaro Fernandez Seattle Sounders $300,000
Kasey Keller Seattle Sounders $300,000
Fred Philadelphia Union $282,000

What’s more, making it in Europe is very hard. Players have to find the right team and the right coach. And timing has a lot to do with it. It is surprising that Feilhaber couldn’t find a team after a successful World Cup, yet there are lot of good players who have trouble making their way in Europe right away.

Even a player like Stuart Holden didn’t make it right away in England, yes there was an off the field incident, as he was hit in the eye outside a club I believe, and that held Holden back, but he needed to come to the MLS to get some more games under his belt. Look at a player like Gomez, finding his place in Mexico, it didn’t happen immediately but eventually with a new coach he earned his place again. Even a player like Michael Bradley is having a hard time fitting in right from the start at Aston Villa. How much would the MLS pay Michael Bradley to play back in the MLS, I’m guessing maybe $500,000-$700,000.

I think it’s a bit too early to say Feilhaber is making too much money, let’s give him ten or so games and then make that call. If he can score goals like the one he scored versus Mexico in the Gold Cup a few years ago, then I think New England will be happy with what they are paying him.