Highest Paid Players in MLS 2017 Kaka On Top

Orlando City captain Kaka is still the highest-paid player in MLS for a third straight season, this  according to figures released Tuesday by the MLS Players Union. He has $7.168 in guaranteed compensation topping Toronto FC star Sebastian Giovinco $7.116 million.

The report also stated that Chicago Fire newcomer Bastian Schweinsteiger is being paid $5.4 million for this season, while Atlanta United spent over $3 million combined for the DP tandem of Miguel Almiron and Josef Martineznot including their transfer fees.

Michael Bradley remains the highest-paid American in the league, with a $6.5 million salary.

Here is the full list of the top 50 Highest Paid Players in MLS 2017:

1. Orlando City MF Kaka (Brazil): $7.168 million
2. Toronto FC MF Sebastian Giovinco (Italy): $7.116 million
3. Toronto FC MF Michael Bradley (U.S.): $6.5 million
4. New York City FC MF Andrea Pirlo (Italy): $5.915 million
5. New York City FC F David Villa (Spain): $5.61 million
6. Los Angeles Galaxy F Giovani Dos Santos (Mexico): $5.5 million
7. Chicago Fire MF Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany): $5.4 million
8. Toronto FC F Jozy Altidore (U.S.): $4.875 million
9. Seattle Sounders F Clint Dempsey (U.S.): $3.892 million
10. Portland Timbers MF Diego Valeri (Argentina): $2.607 million
11. Colorado Rapids GK Tim Howard (U.S.): $2.475 million
12. Atlanta United MF Miguel Almiron (Paraguay): $2.297 million
13. New York City FC MF Maxi Moralez (Argentina): $2 million
14. Los Angeles Galaxy MF Romain Alessandrini (France): $1.999 million
15. Real Salt Lake F Yura Movsisyan (Armenia): $1.973 million
16. Chicago Fire F Nemanja Nikolic (Hungary): $1.906 million
17. Vancouver Whitecaps F Fredy Montero (Colombia): $1.8 million
18. Seattle Sounders MF Nicolas Lodeiro (Uruguay): $1.743 million
19. Portland Timbers F Fanendo Adi (Nigeria): $1.736 million
20. Colorado Rapids F Shkelzen Gashi (Albania): $1.668 million
21. New York Red Bulls F Bradley Wright-Phillips (England): $1.635 million
22. Philadelphia Union MF Alejandro Bedoya (U.S.): $1.197 million
23. Seattle Sounders MF Osvaldo Alonso (Cuba): $1.141 million
24. Portland Timbers MF Sebastian Blanco (Argentina): $1.075 million
25. Columbus Crew MF Federico Higuain (Argentina): $1.05 million
26. Colorado Rapids F Kevin Doyle (Ireland): $1.045 million
27. Atlanta United F Josef Martinez (Venezuela): $1.041 million
28. Portland Timbers F Lucas Melano (Argentina): $1.010 million
29. New England Revolution MF Xavier Kouassi (Ivory Coast): $891,000
30. Vancouver Whitecaps MF Matias Laba (Argentina): $886,000
31. Real Salt Lake MF Albert Rusnak (Czech Republic): $883,000
32. FC Dallas MF Mauro Diaz (Argentina): $881,000
33. Sporting Kansas City MF Roger Espinoza (Honduras): $850,000
34. Orlando City MF Antonio Nocerino (Italy): $850,000
35. Columbus Crew D Jonathan Mensah (Ghana): $844,000
36. Real Salt Lake MF Kyle Beckerman (U.S.): $825,000
37. Chicago Fire F David Accam (Ghana): $821,000
38. Philadelphia Union MF Maurice Edu (U.S.): $819,000
39. New England Revolution F Kei Kamara (Sierra Leone): $800,000
40. San Jose Earthquakes F Chris Wondolowski (U.S.): $800,000
41. San Jose Earthquakes F Simon Dawkins (England): $800,000
42. New York Red Bulls MF Sacha Kljestan (U.S.): $788,000
43. Orlando City F Giles Barnes (Jamaica): $781,000
44. FC Dallas MF Roland Lamah (Ivory Coast): $774,000
45. New York City FC MF Mix Diskerud (U.S.), on loan in Sweden: $773,000
46. Atlanta United F Hector Villalba (Argentina): $771,000
47. Sporting Kansas City D Matt Besler (U.S.): $758,000
48. Sporting Kansas City D Graham Zusi (U.S.): $757,000
49. FC Dallas MF Carlos Gruezo (Ecuador): $732,000
50. Atlanta United MF Carlos Carmona (Chile): $725,000


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Tibet Women's Soccer Team US visas Denied

 

A women's soccer team in Tibet said that they have been denied from getting United States visas to join a tournament in Texas. They said that the US officials told them that they had "no good reason" to visit the US.

Most of the players are Tibetan refugees living in India, and had applied at the US embassy in Delhi. The United States has temporarily barred people from seven countries. But Tibetans and Indians are not on the list.

Cassie Childers, the executive director of Tibet Women's Soccer and a US citizen, said  that went with the group of 16 players for their interviews at the embassy on February 24.

"I am disappointed because we had planned the trip for months. It was a big moment in every player's life when they were told about the trip. It was their opportunity to tell the world that Tibetan women are capable of achieving anything," she said.

Ms Childers added that she was "ashamed" that her country refused to grant visas to a women's football team.

However, she said she did not think the denial had anything to do with the Trump administration.

"I had feared an outcome like this because Tibetans usually struggle to get US visas as officials fear that they might request asylum," she said.

She added that her team "was in good spirits despite this setback".

"The players are very positive. I was very dejected but they motivated me. I hope some other place will invite us where Tibetans are welcomed. Otherwise, we will just get together in an Indian city and practice anyway."

Most of the women in the team carry Indian Identity Certificates, which are documents issued by the Indian government to Tibetan refugees and function as passports.

Two members of the group held Indian passports.

A US official told the AP news agency that they did not comment on individual cases, but that the US position on Tibet had not changed, which is that Tibet is still recognized as part of China.

They were planning to take part in the Dallas Cup, a yearly tournament for youth teams from around the world.


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US Soccer team victorious against Panama

CHICAGO USA - A surprising victory indeed. In just 42 seconds after coming into the game as a substitute Sunday, Shea looked sharp and scored his goal in the 69th minute that gave the United States a 1-0 victory over Panama and the CONCACAF Gold Cup title.

This is the fifth Gold Cup title of the U.S.A., their first was 2007.

"I was there just to put it away," Shea said.

When they heard the final whistle, team USA began celebrating while the rest of the team raced off the bench. Several players jumped up and down, and hugs and high-fives were exchanged. Klinsmann, who watched the game from a luxury box after being suspended for his tirade over the officiating in the semifinal, quickly made his way down to the field, pumping his fists in the air as he walked.

"They wanted to send out a signal that they are the best group in CONCACAF, and they are," Klinsmann said. "For today."

Millions watched the Women's World Cup final

Whoa! According to this news the Women's World Cup final has been watched by 13.5 million viewers, which is the highest television rating for any soccer game on an ESPN network. It was the sixth most watched soccer telecast ever in the United States. The record is still held by the 1999 Women's World Cup final, which had an 11.4 rating. 

Japan beats the USA to capture the Women's World Cup.

Philippines' Azkals blank Sri Lanka, march to World Cup 2nd round

THE Philippine National Football Men’s Team Azkals' dream to qualify in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil lives on, as the nationals blanked the visiting Sri Lanka Brave Reds, 4-0 Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Azkals’ victory gave them the ticket to the 2nd round of the World Cup qualifying tournament against Kuwait on July 23 and July 28 on a home and away game.

In Sunday’s win, Ilonggo Azkals midfielder Chieffy Caligdong nailed a goal in the 19th minute to open up the scoring for the nationals.

Drilling from the left side just inside the box and passing through two Sri Lankan defenders, Caligdong struck the ball towards the right of keeper Manjula Fernando. The ball hit the right bar before it entered the goal.

With 1-0 advantage, the Azkals picked up the tempo, as striker Phil Younghusband scored the squad’s second goal in the 43rd minute.

In the second half, striker Angel Guirado fired the team’s third goal in the 50th minute on a pass from James Youghusband. Guirado drilled past a Sri Lankan defender and escaped Fernando’s defense for an open goal.

After seven minutes, the Azkals got another goal opportunity when Stephan Schrock was fouled on the right side of the goal just inside the box. Phil Younghusband was tasked to take the penalty kick and he nailed the squad’s 4th goal in the 57th minute.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) chairman and Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Advisory Council member Monico Puentevella lauded the Azkals’ performance. “Our Azkals’s performance yesterday was great,” he said.

“But it would be an uphill game against Kuwait. We will be underdogs but we have a bigger chance. We will have a bigger crowd, too,” Puentevella stressed.

On the other hand, sportsman Oscar ‘Dodong’ Bascon praised the Azkals’ game. “They did great on defense and, most especially, improved their offense. It is noticeably that the team played well. They slowly got the chemistry. We just hope they play much better in the next round,” said Bascon.

Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on July 04, 2011