Seattle Sounders' salaries: Who is the highest paid Seattle Sounder player?

Seattle Sounders' salaries: Who is the highest paid Seattle Sounder player?

Kenneth Mwenda
June 13, 2024 at 7:28 AM
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Seattle Sounders' salaries deeply examine the team's financial strategy and player valuation. The Sounders are one of Major League Soccer's (MLS) top teams, and they try to keep within the league's budget rules regarding salaries while striving for success on the field. In 2024, their total guaranteed compensation amounted to $12,176,679.

Alex Roldan and Cristian Roldan in St Louis, Missouri
Alex Roldan (Right frame) and Cristian Roldan (Left frame) of Seattle Sounders FC during the match on May 25, 2024, in St Louis, Missouri. Photo: Bill Barrett (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Table of Сontents:

Many MLS supporters and experts closely monitor their beloved teams' financial situations. This article examines the Seattle Sounders' salaries for 2024, highlighting the highest-paid player, key player salaries, and more.

Overview of Seattle Sounders' salaries in 2024

The Seattle Sounders have a structured salary system that offers fair compensation to its talents. For the 2024 season, the total gross players' salaries of the Seattle Sounders (MLS) are $12,176,679 or $234,167 per week.

However, they have a relatively lower expenditure than Inter Miami ($30,913,242). The 2024 MLS teams' salary cap is about $5.47 million.

Highest-paid Seattle Sounder player

At Seattle Sounders, Albert Rusnák is the highest-paid player, with a gross annual salary of $2,150,000, which amounts to $41,346 weekly. He is 29 years old and has one year left in his contract with the team. This table provides information on salaries for all Seattle Sounders players.

Player

Annual salary

Weekly salary

Contract start

Contract end

Albert Rusnák

$2,150,000

$41,346

Dec 4, 2023

Dec 31, 2024

Raul Ruidiaz

$2,000,000

$38,462

Feb 4, 2022

Dec 31, 2024

Jordan Morris

$1,683,750

$32,380

Jan 19, 2023

Dec 31, 2027

Cristian Roldan

$1,420,000

$27,308

Jan 19, 2023

Dec 31, 2027

Joao Paulo

$1,400,000

$26,923

Dec 4, 2023

Dec 31, 2024

Pedro de la Vega

$785,000

$15,096

Jan 31, 2024

Dec 31, 2027

Yeimar Gomez

$750,000

$14,423

Dec 4, 2023

Dec 31, 2025

Stefan Frei

$600,000

$11,538

Dec 5, 2023

Dec 31, 2025

Leo Chu

$550,000

$10,577

Aug 5, 2021

Dec 31, 2024

Nathan

$550,000

$10,577

Jan 11, 2024

Dec 31, 2024

Nouhou Tolo

$550,000

$10,577

Mar 15, 2023

Dec 31, 2025

Alex Roldan

$465,000

$8,942

Dec 15, 2023

Dec 31, 2026

Danny Musovski

$359,091

$6,904

Feb 1, 2024

Dec 31, 2025

Josh Atencio

$350,000

$6,731

Jan 11, 2024

Dec 31, 2027

Danny Leyva

$235,000

$4,519

Apr 9, 2019

Dec 31, 2026

Andrew Thomas

$150,000

$2,885

May 7, 2024

Dec 31, 2027

Jon Bell

$100,444

$1,932

Jan 12, 2024

Dec 31, 2024

Reed Baker-Whiting

$100,000

$1,923

May 12, 2021

Dec 31, 2024

Jackson Ragen

$98,261

$1,889

Feb 14, 2022

Dec 31, 2024

Jacob Castro

$89,716

$1,725

Dec 4, 2023

Dec 31, 2024

Braudilio Rodrigues

$89,716

$1,725

Jan 12, 2024

Dec 31, 2024

Cody Baker

$89,716

$1,725

May 16, 2023

Dec 31, 2026

Obed Vagas

$89,716

$1,725

Dec 14, 2021

Dec 31, 2025

Paul Rothrock

$89,716

$1,725

Aug 15, 2023

Dec 31, 2024

Dylan Teves

$89,716

$1,725

Dec 4, 2023

Dec 31, 2024

Stuart Hawkins

$71,401

$1,373

Sep 13, 2023

Dec 31, 2026

Sota Kitahara

$71,401

$1,373

Oct 28, 2022

Dec 31, 2024

Seattle Sounders' team average salary

Emeka Eneli and Yeimar Gómez at Lumen Field in Seattle
Real Salt Lake's Emeka Eneli (14) and Seattle Sounders' Yeimar Gómez (28) battle for the ball during an MLS game on May 29, 2024, at Lumen Field in Seattle, WA. Photo: Jeff Halstead
Source: Getty Images

The Seattle Sounders have constructed their total salary setup to provide a uniformly distributed payroll while enhancing the team's competitiveness. The average salary for a Sounders player in 2024 is about $555,000.

By signing top-class talents like Albert Rusnák and Raúl Ruidíaz, Seattle Sounders FC shows its desire to compete at the highest level in the league.

Seattle Sounders' team average salary comparison with previous years

According to Capology, the team's total gross salary in 2022 was $14,978,944, while it was $17,181,123 in 2023, indicating a high investment in player talent during those years.

However, there is a noticeable decline in 2024, with total salaries dropping to $12,176,679. This reduction could be due to various factors, such as the departure of high-earning players, strategic cost-cutting, or a focus on developing younger, less expensive talent.

Coaching salaries

The specific figure for Brian Schmetzer's pay remains withheld. However, he reportedly earns good money, considering his many years of service and achievements at the Sounders.

Trivia

Joao Paulo and Vassilev in St Louis, Missouri
Joao Paulo of Seattle Sounders FC (L) fights for the ball with Indiana Vassilev of St. Louis City, SC, during the match at Citypark on May 25, 2024, in St Louis, Missouri. Photo: Bill Barrett
Source: Getty Images

By investing in top players and maintaining a competitive squad, the MLS club can attract more supporters to matches. Such involvement can, in return, increase revenue from sales of merchandise and sponsorship agreements, among other things.

A well-managed payment structure ensures that different operations remain sustainable. Thus, it avoids situations in which some clubs become bankrupt due to excessive spending.

How much does a Seattle Sounders player make?

In 2024, the Seattle Sounders' highest-paid player is Albert Rusnák, with a gross annual salary of $2,150,000.

Who owns the Seattle Sounders soccer team?

The Seattle Sounders soccer team is owned by a group of individuals and entities, with the majority ownership held by Adrian Hanauer, Drew Carey, and Jody Allen's Vulcan Inc. Other minority owners include Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and his wife, singer Ciara.

How much is the Seattle Sounders team worth?

The Sounders have a valuation of $795 million as of 2024.

Final word

Seattle Sounders' salaries played a crucial role in their performance season in and out. Its past roster has featured US international Clint Dempsey, longtime captain Osvaldo Alonso, and all-time assist leader Nicolás Lodeiro.

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Authors
Kenneth Mwenda photo
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a business and sports writer with over five years of experience. At Sportsbrief, he contributes to writing biographies and listicles.