The best/worst values on Sporting KC’s roster

With the latest release of the 2024 Sporting KC salaries, we’re analyzing which players are the best and worst values on the roster. Daniel Salloi is on the unfortunate side of the list, while it’s more difficult to find great value beyond Jake Davis.

Questions about both the roster decisions, and who exactly makes those decisions, have been a focal point in recent seasons for Sporting KC. There’s been a lack of new signings, Peter Vermes (mostly) left the Technical Director role, and then came the Gavin Wilkinson debacle. Recently, we learned ownership was unwilling to spend the money on DP midfielder who was ready to sign.

This update from the MLSPA brings into the focus those issues with Sporting KC’s roster construction over the last few seasons.

Worst Values

The three highest paid players on the roster come in as our worst three values. Alan Pulido, Nemanja Radoja, and Daniel Salloi are the top three salaries.

SKC’s cost-per-goal from Alan Pulido was about $520,000. That number is ten times higher than his back up, William Agada, who scored ten goals to Pulido’s seven.

Salloi underperformed and seemingly lost his starting job to Stephen Afrifa being paid the league minimum. The fan-favorite failed to take the next step in his career this season, which was a large part of the offensive woes for SKC.

Mike Kuhn includes Radoja on this list, although that is partially because he missed time due to injuries. MLS roster rules are nuanced, but the DP label brings heightened expectations.

Best Values

One of the few offseason moves SKC made last year, was the addition of Memo Rodriguez. Memo played over 1600 solid minutes, while chipping in two goals and six assists as well. The 28-year-old MLS veteran was an important addition at just $100k.

Stephen Afrifa was a lone point of optimism for the club this season. With a league-minimum salary of $71,401, Afrifa scored four goals and two assists in MLS. He’s exactly the kind of player SKC need more of. Great value at the bottom of the salaries and he should continue to be so next season.

Jake Davis comes in as the best value on the Sporting KC roster. The 22-year-old was the team’s MVP this year and he only cost them $120,000. Davis signed a new (more expensive) contract which will go into effect next year. But the versatile youngster became a fan favorite, and absolutely vital to the team in 2024.

Listen to the full episode of Shades of Blue to get the full discussion (starts around 25mins) on the Sporting KC player salaries and if they can provide any insight into how the club will handle the roster decisions this offseason.

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