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MLS salary: Diego Rossi is Columbus Crew's highest paid player, surpassing Cucho Hernandez
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- MLS salary: Diego Rossi is Columbus Crew's highest paid player, surpassing Cucho Hernandez
The latest MLS Players Association salary guide has revealed that Cucho Hernandez is no longer the highest paid player on the Crew. That title now belongs to Diego Rossi .
According to the data released on Thursday, Rossi is making $3,376,827 in 2024, nearly $700,000 more than he made in his first season with Columbus, after joining the club in August. Hernandez is making $2,886,000, the same salary he had in 2023.
May 11, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Crew forward Diego Rossi (10) takes a corner kick during the first half of the MLS soccer game against FC Cincinnati at Lower.com Field.
The Crew's three designated players, Rossi, Hernandez and Darlington Nagbe make up over $7 million of the $15,186,365 Columbus is spending this season. The club captain and long-time MLS veteran, Nagbe had a slight pay cut from his 2023 salary, making $1,540,000 compared to the $1,800,000 he earned last year.
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Overall, as a club, Columbus spending over $125,000 less than they were at the end of last season ($15,313,747) and has the 21st-largest salary with 24 players, including Keegan Hughes, who is on loan to the USL team, Loudon United.
Apr 20, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Crew forward Cucho Hernandez (9) smiles at forward Diego Rossi (10) during the first half of the MLS match \AP\ at Lower.com Field.
One of the bigger contracts the Crew were able to get off their book in the offseason was Kevin Molino, who was making $735,367 in 2023. Columbus mutually agreed to terminate Molino's contract, though his buyout amount remains undisclosed. Julian Gressel was also making a high amount for the Crew last season, $930,406, before hitting free agency.
Sean Zawadzki and Mo Farsi have significant jumps in their contracts
Sean Zawadzki and Mo Farsi were two Crew players who signed contract extensions this offseason and have seen jumps in their contracts.
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Originally signed to a homegrown player contract, Zawadzki is now making $421,875 compared to the $93,200 he earned in 2023. Farsi's salary went from $74,735 to $380,000.
Mar 23, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Columbus Crew defender Mohamed Farsi (23) kicks the ball past Charlotte FC forward Iuri Tavares (38) at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cory Knowlton-USA TODAY Sports
Columbus Crew salaries for new players
Of the three players the Crew picked up during free agency this offseason, Marino Hinestroza - a U-22 initiative player for Columbus - is making the most with a salary of $574,750. Derrick Jones is earning $347,969 and Nicholas Hagen is making $100,340.
Columbus also signed homegrown players Taha Habroune and Cole Mrowka to first team contracts, and in their first year with the team, Habroune is making $83,401 and Mrowka is earning $91,409.
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Columbus Crew 2024 player salaries
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Midfielder Diego Rossi: $3,376,827
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Forward Cucho Hernandez: $2,886,000
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Midfielder Darlington Nagbe: $1,540,000
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Defender Steven Moreira : $882,000
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Midfielder Aidan Morris : $714,375
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Midfielder Yaw Yeboah: $663,750
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Forward Marino Hinestroza: $574,750
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Defender Yevhen Cheberko : $553,250
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Defender Rudy Camacho : $551,000
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Forward Christian Ramirez : $495,833
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Forward Alex Matan: $483,250
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Midfielder Sean Zawadzki: $421,875
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Defender Malte Amundsen : $398,700
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Defender Mohamed Farsi: $380,000
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Midfielder Derrick Jones: $347,969
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Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte : $160,603
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Defender Will Sands : $131,250
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Goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen: $100,340
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Forward Jacen Russell-Rowe : $97,105
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Midfielder Cole Mrowka: $91,409
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Goalkeeper Evan Bush : $89,716
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Defender Keegan Hughes: $89,716
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Midfielder Taha Habroune: $83,401
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Midfielder Max Arfsten: $73,246
2024 MLS team salaries
Here's a look at how much MLS teams are spending on players from most to least:
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Inter Miami : $41,679,126
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Toronto FC : $31,410,634
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Chicago Fire : $25,126,732
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Nashville SC : $21,397,303
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FC Cincinnati : $18,705,167
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Austin FC: $18,408,831
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New England Revolution : $18,320,184
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Los Angeles Galaxy: $17,931,232
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New York New Bulls: $17,111,222
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Houston Dynamo : $16,768,222
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Atlanta United : $16,663,279
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Seattle Sounders : $16,580,599
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New York City FC : $16,542,203
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Colorado Rapids : $16,328,472
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FC Dallas : $16,230,011
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D.C. United : $16,171,456
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Los Angeles FC: $15,903,820
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Sporting Kansas City : $15,874,516
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Portland Timbers : $15,367,900
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Vancouver Whitecaps : $15,203,269
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Columbus Crew: $15,186,365
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Orlando City SC : $15,066,500
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Minnesota United : $14,907,129
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Philadelphia Union : $14,821,159
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Charlotte FC: $14,529,129
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San Jose Earthquakes : $13,628,412
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Real Salt Lake : $13,604,922
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CF Montreal: $12,048,038
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Sr. Louis SC: $12,015,851
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew: Diego Rossi highest paid player, passes Cucho Hernandez
