While captain Ryan Gauld remains Vancouver's highest-paid player, the Whitecaps now have a second $2-million man (all figures in U.S. dollars) in fellow Scottish international Stuart Armstrong.
The MLS Players Association, in its updated salary report released Thursday, lists the 32-year-old Armstrong's 2024 salary at $2.878 million — although that would be pro-rated given he didn't come on board until early September.
Gauld is making $2.985 million this season.
Gauld (three goals and one assist) and Armstrong (one goal and two assists) earned their keep Wednesday in leading Vancouver to a 5-0 win at Portland in MLS playoff action.
Defensive midfielder Andres Cubas, the Whitecaps' other designated player, is earning $1.146 million.
Inter Miami's Lionel Messi continues to top the MLS salary table at $20.5 million, ahead of Toronto's Lorenzo Insigne ($15.4 million), Miami's Sergio Busquets ($8.775 million), Austin's Sebastian Driussi ($6.732 million) and Toronto's Federico Bernardeschi ($6.295 million).
TFC's other designated player is fullback/wingback Richie Laryea ($1.329 million) the highest-paid Canadian in the league. U.S. defender Henry Wingo, who joined Toronto FC in July, is listed at $521,030.
Midfielder Victor Wanyama ($1.8 million) leads the CF Montreal salary list, ahead of forward Josef Martinez ($1.309 million).
English midfielder Tom Pearce, who joined Montreal in July, is listed at $507,625 although his pay would also be pro-rated.
Canadian midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye is making $750,000 with New England while winger Jacob Shaffelburg is earning $395,000 in Nashville. Portland's Max Crepeau is on $618,333 while fellow Canadian 'keeper Dayne St. Clair is making $481,875 with Minnesota.
Former Toronto star striker Jozy Altidore is still listed on the MLSPA salary table at $2,242,574.
Toronto bought out Altidore's contract in February 2022, with the New England Revolution announcing the same day that it had signed him as a free agent. New England noted at the time that Toronto "will remain responsible for a portion" of Altidore's salary through 2023, which covers the term of his TFC contact.
Essentially the two teams shared his cost for two seasons, with Toronto paying what he was owed on his existing deal minus the portion of his New England salary.
New England extended Altidore's deal an additional year, through the 2024 season. The Revs subsequently loaned him to Mexico's Club Puebla and then bought out his contract in June 2023.
MLS clubs are allowed one off-season contract buyout that does not count against the salary cap.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2024.
Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
