Shaqiri tops MLS salary list at US$8-million

Swiss star midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri, who joined the Chicago Fire in February from France’s Lyon, tops the Major League Soccer salary list at US$8.153-million in 2022, according to figures released Tuesday by the ML S Players Association.

Toronto FC’s Spanish playmaker, Alejandro Pozuelo, ranks No. 4 at $4.693-million, one of five TFC players making $1-million-plus – six if you include forward Jose Altidore, whose $4.265-million ranks fifth in the league.

Toronto bought out Altidore’s contract in February, one day before he joined the New England Revolution. At the time, New England noted 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 are sharing his cost this season and next, with Toronto paying what he was owed on his existing deal minus the portion of his New England salary.

Toronto is paying Mexican defender Carlos Salcedo $2.351-million, captain Michael Bradley $1.5million, French-born Congolese defender Chris Mavinga $1.038million and Canadian midfielder Jonathan Osorio $1.026-million.

Salcedo is the league’s highestpaid defender while Mavinga ranks 11th. Toronto’s defence, which like the rest of the roster has been rebuilt under new coach Bob Bradley, ranks 25th in the league, conceding 1.92 goals a game on average.

Jesus Jimenez is a Toronto bargain at $934,927. The Spanish striker is tied for second in league scoring with Austin’s Sebastian Driussi ($2.317-million) and San Jose’s Jeremy Ebobisse ($766,617) at seven goals. FC Dallas’s Jesus Ferreira ($1.499-million) leads with nine goals.

There are 91 players making $1million or more and 263 who earn less than $100,000.