MLS on a budget: Building a roster of the league’s most undervalued players
This past decade has seen Major League Soccer’s reputation evolve from retirement league status to a highly competitive, unpredictable league with exceptional talent entering the league each year. The league’s upward trend makes it harder for a seemingly established player to break out into the league but more likely for him to earn a well paying salary.
Due to the league’s early season pause, the MLS and the MLS Players Association were forced to agree on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The new deal, which is set to last until 2024, will improve player salaries and allow the MLS to allocate its funds with more flexibility. $1.9 billion was invested in the new deal, which includes expanded free agency, a 55% increase in senior minimum salaries, and an 82% increase in unrestricted money by 2024.
Prior to the deal, the league’s lowest salary was $56,240. A vast majority of player salaries ranging from that minimum to around $65,000 were either recent Homegrown or SuperDraft signings.
Given the recent league-wide salary cap boost, I thought I’d play the role of a financially conservative MLS General Manager and build an 18-man roster exclusively with the league’s cheapest stars. Money aside, these players are dark horses in every club and if put together, could produce a mid-conference placement and perhaps shock a few of the alleged powerhouses in the playoffs. My guidelines: Their base salary has to be no more than $71,000 and they must be an active member on their team’s roster (no loans).
All salaries are as of March 2, 2020 and are according to data from sportekz.com
Starters:
Matt Lampson, Age 30, Goalkeeper, Columbus Crew (Base Salary: $70,250)
The Crew are the league’s deepest team when it comes to goalkeepers with all four having seen a good deal of MLS action. Lampson is the team’s third-string keeper behind starter Eloy Room and backup Andrew Tarbell. The Crew also have the rights to Jon Kempin, who is currently on loan to USL side San Diego Loyal (he would’ve made my list if it weren’t for the loan).
Lampson’s first starting streak began in 2013 where he filled in for injury-prone starter Andy Gruenebaum. He didn’t appear in another MLS game until 2016 for the Chicago Fire. The following year was his first and only season as a number one goalie as he recorded 24 starts and eight shutouts with the Fire. Lampson followed that season up by backing up Minnesota United and then the LA Galaxy in 2019 making just 10 starts in those two seasons. He then returned to his hometown Columbus for the 2020 season.
For a goalie with as much experience as Lampson to be eligible for this list surprised me and he was a no brainer to be my starter. Lampson, a survivor of Stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma, founded the LampStrong Foundation, whose goal is to provide support for cancer patients and their families. His charity work off the field has earned him the MLS Humanitarian of the Year award three times. A strong individual on and off the field, Matt Lampson can bring so much to a team for a small price.
Chase Gasper, Age 24, Defender, Minnesota United (Base Salary: $56,250)
Now as a starter on Minnesota’s back line, Gasper is still earning the league’s entry level salary a year after being the 13th overall pick in the SuperDraft. Gasper won the 2018 NCAA College Cup with the University of Maryland his senior year after three seasons at UCLA. Gasper has experience at various US Youth National Team levels and made one appearance for the USMNT.
It took Minnesota coach Adrian Heath a little bit of time to realize what Gasper’s game was all about. He didn’t make his first appearance until June 8 of last year and wasn’t named a starter until June 29. In 14 regular season starts, the team was unbeaten in 12 and Gasper’s defensive impact was a main reason why that was the case. Because of his impactful stretch with the team, he was called into USMNT’s January camp prior to appearing in the team’s 1–0 win in a friendly against Costa Rica.
Gasper’s salary will definitely increase with more successful appearances with both the USMNT and Minnesota. He’s definitely cemented his spot in the team’s lineup which makes him an absolute steal on any roster.
Maynor Figueroa, Age 37, Defender, Houston Dynamo (Base Salary: $70,250)
Uncontested as the oldest player on this list, 37 year-old Figueroa would add a ton of experience to my team. The Honduran center back has played professionally in Honduras and England in addition to his time in MLS. Now in his second season with the Dynamo, Figueroa has 102 MLS starts since 2015 with prior stints with FC Dallas and the Colorado Rapids.
After playing his first eight professional seasons in Honduras, he was loaned to Wigan Athletic in 2008, when it made the deal permanent. He went on to win the 2013 FA Cup with Wigan and total 148 appearances for the club. The next season, he played for Hull City and contributed to another run to the FA Cup final where they lost to Arsenal, 3–2, after extra time.
Figueroa has been a consistent starter in the MLS and is someone whose experience would be an easy task to build around. His defensive reliability can be overshadowed since the Dynamo have been a bottom of the table team in recent years, but it’s very rare to find a player with such high expertise at very low cost.
Oniel Fisher, Age 28, Defender, DC United (Base Salary: $70,250)
Wayne Rooney’s mid-season acquisition in 2018 wasn’t the only reason why DC United went from last place to securing a home playoff game in the span of three months. DC was left with a surprising amount of defensive depth after an injury to right back Nick DeLeon sidelined him for four-and-a-half months.
Fisher, whose playing time was limited after the early season signing of left back Joseph Mora, became a consistent starter when DeLeon left the lineup at the end of May. The majority of that stretch was a large series of home games after Audi Field was unveiled in mid-July. Once DC was back at home, they looked like a whole new team and everyone, especially Fisher, proved they deserved to stay in the lineup. Fisher became more involved in the team’s attack, a role which saw him record his first career MLS goal.
Fisher sustained an injury in late September of that year in a 5–0 win against the Montreal Impact which sidelined him for the entire 2019 season. He is one of the strongest outside backs in the league and is a two-way player that can make a difference on any team.
Memo Rodríguez, Age 24, Midfielder, Houston Dynamo (Base Salary: $70,250)
Just prior to his 18th birthday, Rodríguez became the Dynamo’s sixth youngest Homegrown signing at the time in December 2014. Six-years later, he has established himself as the club’s most productive Homegrown player with 10 goals and six assists in 56 appearances. That may not look super productive on paper. However, after being released by the Dynamo in 2016, it’s pretty remarkable that he’s now back as the team’s starting left winger.
Rodríguez played his first professional season for the Charleston Battery, the Dynamo’s USL affiliate at the time where he made 17 appearances and scored one goal. It was directly following that season when he was released and ended up signing with the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, who became the Dynamo’s USL affiliates that season. Houston then re-signed Rodríguez in 2017 when he was initially alternating playing time between the Toros and the Dynamo before becoming a mainstay with the team in 2018.
He made 16 starts with the Dynamo in 2019 taking over for the struggling Romell Quioto. Rodriguez is one of the faster and more creative wingers in MLS and won’t be afraid to try a long distance shot a few times a game.
Hassani Dotson, Age 22, Midfielder, Minnesota United (Base Salary: $56,250)
Another member of Minnesota’s stacked 2019 draft class in my starting group, Dotson has established a major part of the Loons’ defensive mid core after a successful rookie campaign. The team’s 31st overall pick, Dotson scored an impressive four goals in 15 starts last season and is now in the conversation among the next wave of USMNT prospects.
Dotson captained Oregon State to a winning season as a senior and was recognized as one of the Pac-12’s best defensive players, securing Second Team All-Region honors. Being able to contribute so quickly to Minnesota’s developing roster allowed the club to finish the 2019 season tied for third with Real Salt Lake. Dotson’s instant impact for Minnesota earned him a call-up to Jason Kreis’ U-23 National team roster last September.
Now as Minnesota is arguably a strong contender to make a deep playoff run, Dotson will be competing for playing time along with experienced defensive midfielders Ján Greguš and Osvaldo Alonso. However, for his current entry level price, I see him being an absolute bargain in light of what he brings to the field.
Efraín Álvarez, Age 18, Midfielder, LA Galaxy (Base Salary: $70,872)
It makes sense that a teenage Homegrown player is featured on this list. Homegrown signings are obviously on the lower end of the MLS player salary spectrum. However, many of those signings are earning more than Álvarez, including some who haven’t even seen any MLS action yet. Álvarez has already proven that he can be a difference maker in the MLS and I wouldn’t be surprised if he finds himself playing overseas in the next few years.
Álvarez signed with the Galaxy in March 2018, when he was just 15 years-old. He spent that season with the club’s affiliate, LA Galaxy II, where he scored 13 goals in 20 appearances. He became a USL sensation after scoring two hat tricks that season and he became a permanent member of the Galaxy’s first team during the 2019 preseason. Later that year, Álvarez made regular appearances for the Galaxy and led Mexico’s U-17 National team to the World Cup finals and finished the tournament as the team’s leading scorer.
With three MLS goals already under his belt, I can’t wait to see what’s next for this young goalscorer. After receiving advice from his brother Carlos (also a pro) and former teammate Zlatan Ibrahimović, he recently began taking his health more seriously and becoming a more responsible athlete, something very few players his age are working extra hard to improve on. Álvarez is also still USMNT eligible so it’s still possible he can add some more attacking prowess to the US in the near future.
Marvin Loría, Age 23, Midfielder, Portland Timbers (Base Salary: $63,500)
First game, first shot, first goal. That’s all it took for Loría to become established as one of the MLS’s best young players. Loría’s goal was the Timbers’ first of a 4–0 rout over the Dynamo on June 22 of last year. That game was also his first MLS appearance after spending the previous months with Portland’s USL affiliate, Timbers II (T2).
Loría scored eight goals in 1½ seasons with T2 in 39 appearances. He joined T2 on loan from Costa Rican powerhouse Deportivo Saprissa. He debuted with Saprissa when he was 16 years-old and won two league championships during his two-year stint with the club. He was then loaned to Portuguese side, Benfica B, only making one appearance.
Loría is definitely a reliable backup option for attacking midfielders behind Diego Valeri and adds to a strong core of Timber youngsters. With more playing time, Loría will definitely become a prominent MLS goal scorer and add to an already stacked Timbers attack.
Richie Laryea, Age 25, Midfielder, Toronto FC (Base Salary: $56,250)
Laryea undoubtedly brings the element of speed to this squad. His ability to take on defenders in or around the penalty area makes him such a reliable player in or out of TFC’s lineup. Laryea just signed a contract extension on June 24 so he may no longer be eligible for my squad. However, I’m still going based on his starting 2020 salary and frankly, my team would be a lot less dangerous without him.
Laryea is among the many University of Akron products to have made it to the MLS. With 11 goals in 22 starts for the Zips as a sophomore, Laryea caught the eye of MLS scouts and was selected seventh overall by Orlando City in 2016. He spent his first three professional seasons splitting his time between Orlando City and Orlando City B before becoming a free agent after the 2018 campaign. Toronto signed Laryea last season and he went on to start 16 games at the right wing and fullback positions.
He is also the reason Toronto eliminated top seeded New York City FC from the playoffs last season. Laryea used his speed to get the better of City’s Ronald Matarrita, which forced him to foul the speedy winger in the box leading to the late game winner. Laryea is a player gaining confidence as he makes more appearances so I saw him as another cheeky steal.
Brian White, Age 24, Forward, New York Red Bulls (Base Salary: $63,225)
Many would agree that the Red Bulls were lucky to have made the playoffs last season. Finishing exactly .500 and having their key players not at their best, the Red Bulls’ playoff hopes came down to the final weeks of the season. However, it was the emergence of many under-the-radar players, most notably White, who gave the Red Bulls a fighting chance.
White was the 16th overall pick in 2018 out of Duke University and played a majority of his first professional season in the USL with Red Bulls II before debuting in the MLS and scoring in his first start in a 1–0 win against the Dynamo. But it was his impact in 2019 that established him as one of the MLS’s elite goalscorers. White took over the team’s number nine spot after Bradley Wright-Phillips sustained an injury and then struggled to find his goal scoring touch. In 20 appearances, White scored nine goals, among the most by American born players.
With a long career ahead of him, I’d definitely like to see him suit up for the USMNT at some point.
Jesús Ferreira, Age 19, Forward, FC Dallas (Base Salary: $70,250)
I can already imagine what this duo could accomplish given a full season together. Ferreira and White are two of the best young starting forwards in the league whose differences in playing style could complement each other very well. White is a more hard-nosed striker who’s not afraid to put his body on the line to put one in the net. Meanwhile, Ferreira is your typical creative, fast striker that will punish defenders who give him heaps of space.
Ferreira signed a Homegrown deal with Dallas in 2016 when he was just 15 years old. He then joined the wave of players scoring in their MLS debut when he entered a game against Real Salt Lake and scored the final goal of a 6–2 victory. That was his only appearance of the season. The following season, he also appeared in one game with Dallas, but was loaned out to USL side, Tulsa Roughnecks, for whom he scored six goals in 14 appearances.
The son of Dallas legend David Ferreira, Jesús is now a permanent starter for Dallas after an impressive eight-goal season in 2019. He often alternates between attacking mid and forward as the striker position has gotten really competitive over the last year.
Reserves:
Stefan Cleveland, Age 26, Goalkeeper, Seattle Sounders (Base Salary: $70,250)
After playing college soccer at Dartmouth and Louisville, Cleveland has only made five MLS appearances during his time with the Chicago Fire, with most of his time spent in the USL. He provides a solid backup option for Stefan Frei and with limited MLS action and could be a real breakout player if given the opportunity.
Brandon Bye, Age 24, Defender, New England Revolution (Base Salary: $63,574)
One of the most promising young defenders in the league, Bye has been a consistent member of the Revs’ starting lineup since he was drafted in 2018. As one of the key pieces in Bruce Arena’s youthful squad, Bye adds a ton of defensive versatility as a younger starter in the MLS.
DeJuan Jones, Age 22, Defender, New England Revolution ($63,547)
Another talented young Revolution defender who has made it on to my list, Jones made 20 appearances in his 2019 rookie season. Jones starts opposite of Bye on the Revs’ back line and has the ability to get up and down the line with ease and can create dangerous goal scoring chances.
Tristan Blackmon, Age 23, Defender, Los Angeles FC (Base Salary: $70,250)
Drafted third overall in 2018, Blackmon is now Bob Bradley’s go-to right back. Blackmon adds the perfect combo of skill and speed that with a little more MLS experience, can be a solid part of any team’s back line.
Danny Leyva, Age 17, Midfielder, Seattle Sounders (Base Salary: $56,250)
As one of the most promising teenagers in the league, 2003 born Leyva is one of the more impactful substitutes on the Sounders. Already an MLS Cup champion, Leyva has also become a regular on the USYNT teams and has already begun racking up professional starts where he’s held his ground as a solid defensive mid.
Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla, Age 21, Midfielder, Montreal Impact (Base Salary: $70,250)
Tabla has already earned himself a pretty good deal of international experience as he spent a season and a half with Spanish clubs Barcelona B and Albacete. He returned to the Impact, his hometown club, but has failed to break out so far during his time in MLS. A creative 1v1 attacker, any team with Tabla on it is in for a real treat for what he’s capable of achieving in and around the box.
Tosaint Ricketts, Age 32, Forward, Vancouver Whitecaps (Base Salary: $70,250)
Ricketts has brought an impactful amount of experience with him to MLS as he came to the league in 2016 after seven years in Europe. With his time on the Whitecaps and Toronto FC, regardless of whether Ricketts is starting or enters the game as a sub, he can always make an immediate impact when it matters most.
Total Spent: $1,181,995
