Get the scoop on Philadelphia Union salaries and contract terms

Get the scoop on Philadelphia Union salaries and contract terms

Grace Waruguru
June 17, 2024 at 1:36 PM
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What are the Philadelphia Union salaries, and how do they compare to other Major League Soccer (MLS) teams? The team is one of the most prominent franchises, boasting several seasoned players and newbies. Here is a detailed analysis of the player salaries in 2024.

Jakob Glenses, Daniel Gazdag, and Kai Wagner
Jakob Glenses, Daniel Gazdag, and Kai Wagner are team members of the Philadelphia Union. Photo: @jakobglenses, @richdani6, @kaiwaaagner (Modified by author)
Source: Instagram

Table of Сontents:

Football players settle on different terms and contractual agreements when they join any team. The Designated Player policy states the minimum league's salary cap for professionals. Keep reading to discover the list of Philadelphia Union salaries according to the latest roster.

Philadelphia Union salaries

What is the range of Philadelphia Union player salaries? The franchise has many homegrown and international talents who work together to see the team succeed. Each MLS team has up to 30 players on the main roster. Here is a ranked list of the Philadelphia Union salaries as of 2024, per Spotrac.

Name

Salary

Jamir Berdecio

$97,910

Markus Anderson

$102,000

Oliver Semmle

$106,400

Richard Odada

$130,300O

Olwethu Makhanya

$263,875

Jesús Bueno

$312,625

Leon Flach

$314,500

Damion Lowe

$343,333

Joaquin Torres

$349,800

Olivier Mbaizo

$423,589

Alejandro Bedoya

$449,996

Jose Andrez Martinez

$674,167

Tai Baribo

$760,000

Jack Elliot

$893,750

Andre Blake

$919,375

Julian Carranza

$1,000,000

Kai Wagner

$1,032,500

Jakob Glenses

$1,138,125

Daniel Gazdag

$1,757,500

Mikael Uhre

2,040,000

Jamir Berdecio - $97,910

Jamir Berdecio
Jamir Berdecio before a game between Philadelphia Union II and New England Revolution II at Gillette Stadium on May 19, 2024, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Photo: Andrew Katsampes
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Jose Berdecio Mendoza
  • Nationality: Bolivian
  • Date of birth: August 12th, 2002
  • Position: Right-back

Jamir joined Philadelphia on loan in January 2024 and plays for Bolivia's national team. He previously played for Oriente Petrolero.

Markus Anderson - $102,000

Markus Anderson
Markus Anderson warms up before the MLS match between Austin FC and Philadelphia Union on March 16, 2024, at Q2 Stadium in Austin, TX. Photo: David Buono
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Markus Adeniyi Anderson Adedeji
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of birth: December 11th, 2003
  • Position: Left-winger

The MLS club signed Markus in January 2024 from Spanish club Rayo Majadahonda. He started his youth career at Manhattan Kickers FC and joined Club Deportivo Básico Paracuellos Antamira.

Oliver Semmle - $106,400

Oliver Semmle
Oliver Semmle during a match against Minnesota United at Subaru Park on March 30, 2024, in Chester, Pennsylvania. Photo: Tim Nwachukwu
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Oliver Semmle
  • Nationality: German
  • Date of birth: March 28th, 1998
  • Position: Goalkeeper

Semmle is among the club's new arrivals signed in January 2024. The 26-year-old enjoyed a decorated college career, earning the Conference USA Goalkeeper of the Year and the Conference USA Golden Glove Awards.

Richard Odada - $130,300

Richard Odada
Richard Odada during the friendly match between Qatar and Kenya at Al Janoub Stadium on September 07, 2023, in Al Wakrah, Qatar. Photo: Simon Holmes
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Richard Odada
  • Nationality: Kenyan
  • Date of birth: November 25th, 2000
  • Position: Midfielder

Kenyan player Richard Odada is a midfielder for the Philadelphia club. He is among the Philadelphia Union soccer salaries under the international roster, earning $130,300.

Olwethu Makhanya - $263,875

Olwethu Makhanya
Olwethu Makhanya before a game between Philadelphia Union II and New England Revolution II at Gillette Stadium on May 19, 2024, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Photo: Andrew Katsampes
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Olwethu Mpilwenhle Makhanya
  • Nationality: South African
  • Date of birth: April 30th, 2004
  • Position: Defender

Olwethu joined the franchise in 2023 as the first signee of the Under-22 initiative. He previously played for South African club Stellenbosch and won the 2023 Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player award.

Jesús Bueno - $312,625

Jesus Bueno
Jesus Bueno during a soccer match at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sep 20, 2023. Photo: David Jensen
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Jesús Daniel Bueno Áñez
  • Nationality: Venezuelan
  • Date of birth: April 15th, 1999
  • Position: Defensive midfielder

Jesús started his career with Deportivo Lara, where he played from 2016 to 2021. The defensive midfielder also plays for his country's national team and earns over $300k with Philadelphia.

Leon Flach - $314,500

Leon Flach
Leon Flach during the match against CF Montréal at Olympic Stadium on March 5, 2022, in Montreal, Canada. Photo: Minas Panagiotakis
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Leon Maximilian Flach
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of birth: February 28th, 2001
  • Position: Midfielder

Flach joined the team in March 2021 and debuted in the first CONCACAF match against Deportivo Saprissa. The player also represents his country's national team.

Damion Lowe - $343,333

Damion Lowe
Damion Lowe reacts to a play during a match against the Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sep 20, 2023. Photo: David Jensen
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Deportivo Saprissa
  • Nationality: Jamaican
  • Date of birth: May 5th, 1993
  • Position: Defender

Lowe started his career with Reading United in 2013. He has also played for the Seattle Sounders and Al-Ittihad. He was nominated for the 2016 NASL (National American Soccer League) Young Player of the Year award. He debuted with Philadelphia in January 2023.

Joaquin Torres - $349,800

Joaquin Torres
Joaquin Torres during an MLS match between the New England Revolution and the Philadelphia Union on November 8, 2023, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Photo: Fred Kfoury III
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Joaquín Eduardo Torres
  • Nationality: Argentine
  • Date of birth: January 28th, 1997
  • Position: Winger

Torres spent the first six years of his senior career in his home country playing for Newell's Old Boys. Later, he played for Volos and CF Montreal before joining Philadelphia Union in January 2023.

Olivier Mbaizo - $423,589

Olivier Mbaizo
Olivier Mbaizo before an Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference game between Philadelphia Union and New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on November 8, 2023. Photo: Andrew Katsampes
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Olivier Mbaissidara Mbaizo
  • Nationality: Cameroonian
  • Date of birth: August 15th, 1997
  • Position: Defender

After spending the first two years of his professional career with Union Douala and Rainbow Bamenda, Oliver played for Philadelphia Union's affiliate team at the USL, Bethlehem Steel. He played with them for one year before joining the MLS side in 2018.

Alejandro Bedoya - $449,996

Alejandro Bedoya
Alejandro Bedoya before a game between the Philadelphia Union and New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on October 21, 2023, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Photo: Andrew Katsampes
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Alejandro Bedoya
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of birth: April 29th, 1987
  • Position: Midfielder

Captain Alejandro Bedoya earns one of the top Philadelphia Union players' salaries, over $449k. He joined the team in 2016 as a Designated Player. He won the MLS Supporters Shield with the team in 2020.

Jose Andrez Martinez - $674,167

Jose Andres Martinez
Jose Andres Martinez during the international friendly match between Saudi Arabia and Venezuela at Estadio Enrique Roca on June 09, 2022, in Murcia, Spain. Photo: Francisco Macia
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: José Andrés Martínez Torres
  • Nationality: Venezuelan
  • Date of birth: August 7th, 1994
  • Position: Midfielder

Andrez debuted his senior career with JBL Zulia in 2015. He joined ''The Union'' in 2020 and has become one of the best defensive midfielders in the MLS. The athlete also plays for the Venezuelan national team.

Tai Baribo - $760,000

Tai Baribo
Tai Baribo during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round match between Switzerland and Israel at Stade de Geneve on March 28, 2023, in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: Jari Pestelacci/
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Tai Baribo
  • Nationality: Israeli
  • Date of birth: January 15th, 1998
  • Position: Forward

Tai boasts one of the Philadelphia Union roster salaries, $760,000. The Israeli national joined Philadelphia in August 2023 from Wolfsberger AC.

Jack Elliot - $893,750

Jack Elliot
Jack Elliott looks on after the MLS game against D.C. United at Audi Field on August 20, 2022, in Washington, DC. Photo: Scott Taetsch
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Jack Stuart Elliott
  • Nationality: English
  • Date of birth: August 25th, 1995
  • Position: Centre-back

English player Jack Elliot started playing football at West Virginia University before joining South Florida Surf in 2016. He debuted with the Philadelphia Union in 2017.

Andre Blake - $919,375

Andre Blake
Andre Blake during the Semi-final CONCACAF Nations League match between Jamaica and United States at AT&T Stadium on March 21, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. Photo: Omar Vega
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Andre Jason Blake
  • Nationality: Jamaican
  • Date of birth: November 21st, 1990
  • Position: Goalkeeper

How much does Andre Blake get paid? The Jamaican athlete plays goalkeeper for Philadelphia Union and the Jamaican national team. He joined the team in 2014 and won the 2020 Golden Glove for the MLS is Back Tournament and the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award.

Julian Carranza - $1,000,000

Julian Carranza
Julian Carranza walks off the field after receiving a red card during the game against CF Montréal at Olympic Stadium on March 5, 2022, in Montreal, Canada. Photo: Minas Panagiotakis
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Julián Simón Carranza
  • Nationality: Argentine
  • Date of birth: May 22nd, 2000
  • Position: Forward

Julian is a Designated Player for the Union, which he joined in 2022. He earns one of the highest MLS salaries in Philadelphia Union, $1 million. He was the first team player to score multiple hat tricks (July and August 2022).

Kai Wagner - $1,032,500

Kai Wagner
Kai Wagner reacts after losing to LAFC at the MLS Cup Final 2022 at Banc of California Stadium on November 5, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Omar Vega
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Kai Harley Wagner
  • Nationality: German
  • Date of birth: February 15th, 1997
  • Position: Left-back

Wagner joined the Union in 2019 from Würzburger Kickers. The German player won the MLS All-Star in 2021 and 2022 and the MLS Best XI in 2022.

Jakob Glenses - $1,138,125

Jakob Glenses
akob Glesnes before a training session ahead of a match against LAFC as part MLS Cup Final 2022 at Banc of California Stadium on November 4, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Omar Vega
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Jakob Glenses
  • Nationality: Norwegian
  • Date of birth: March 25th, 1994
  • Position: Defender

Norwegian footballer Jakob joined Philadelphia in January 2020. The defender's first goal with the club was a free kick 35 yards from goal, a first for the franchise. He also plays for his country's national team.

Daniel Gazdag - $1,757,500

Daniel Gazdag
Daniel Gazdag gestures during the match between Pachuca and Philadelphia as part of CONCACAF Champions Cup 2024 at Estadio Hidalgo on March 12, 2024, in Pachuca, Mexico. Photo: Manuel Velasquez
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Daniel Gazdag
  • Nationality: Hungarian
  • Date of birth: March 2nd, 1996
  • Position: Midfielder

Gazdag is a Designated Player who plays midfield for the MLS franchise and has one of the highest Union League of Philadelphia salaries. He joined the team in May 2021 and is their top scorer and second-top scorer in the MLS as of June 2024.

Mikael Uhre - 2,040,000

Mikael Uhre
Mikael Uhre (7) rush off the field during the Philadelphia Union versus D.C. United Major League Soccer (MLS) game on August 20, 2022, at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. Photo: Randy Litzinger
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Mikael Brandhof Uhre
  • Nationality: Danish
  • Date of birth: September 30th, 1994
  • Position: Forward

Who has the highest salary in the Philadelphia Union? Designated Player Mikael Uhre earns over $2 million. The 29-year-old previously played for Danish club Brøndby, where he won the Danish Super Liga in 2021.

Frequently asked questions

Philadelphia Union has enabled homegrown players to grow and explore their talents. Here are some frequently asked questions about the Philadelphia Union salaries.

What is the Philadelphia Union's coach's salary?

The franchise's coach is Jim Curtin, who signed in July 2023. He is the second longest-serving MLS coach and has 127 regular season wins. The coach will earn approximately $500,00 per season, per Inquirer.

What is the Philadelphia Union average salary?

According to Capology, Philadelphia Union players earn an average of $7,601. The players' terms are reviewed regularly based on their contracts and designation.

What is the Philadelphia Union salary cap?

The club's gross salary for the 2024 season is around $10,671,579. However, designated players on the team, like Mikael Uhre and Daniel Gazdag, enjoy salaries higher than the stipulated league rate.

Final word

The Philadephia Union salaries and contracts have exposed fans to the club's workings and the factors that come into play when onboarding members. The Union was founded in 2008 and is among the most popular MLS franchises.

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Authors
Grace Waruguru photo
Grace Waruguru
Grace has over 4 years of experience in article writing and digital media content creation for various local and global brands. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication (Public Relations) from Daystar University, Kenya.