If money could win MLS Cups, Atlanta United would already be building another trophy case.
With nearly $28.5 million in guaranteed compensation, Atlanta ranks third in the entire league, just behind the megawatt payrolls of LAFC and Inter Miami. That’s 4.8% of every MLS dollar going to a roster that’s as flashy as Peachtree Street on a Saturday night — and about as unpredictable.
Let’s dig in.
🥇 Miguel Almirón — Gold-Plated and Still Golden?
Base Salary: $6,056,000
Guaranteed: $7,871,000
Yes, that Miguel Almirón — the one who used to run circles around MLS defenders before his European adventure — is back. Atlanta didn’t just roll out the red carpet. They lined it with gold flakes and wired it with direct deposit.
At nearly $8 million guaranteed, he’s chewing up more than a quarter of Atlanta’s entire payroll. But when he’s on, he’s poetry in motion — gliding past defenders like he’s got somewhere better to be.
If he stays healthy and keeps finding the net, this deal could look smart. If not? Let’s just say “Miguel Money” might become “Miguel Maybe.”
🥈 Aleksey Miranchuk — The $5 Million Mystery
Base Salary: $3.6 million
Guaranteed: $4.89 million
If you’ve ever wondered what $5 million of pure potential looks like, meet Aleksey Miranchuk. The Russian attacking midfielder brings class, creativity, and an occasional jaw-dropper from distance.
But fans want consistency — not just glimpses. At this price, Atlanta’s brass are praying for more assists than adjectives.
Still, when he’s linking up with Almirón, it feels like a highlight reel waiting to happen.
🥉 Emmanuel Latte Lath — Bronze and Bargain(ish)
Base Salary: $3.53 million
Guaranteed: $4.03 million
The Ivorian striker’s got one of those names that sounds like an expensive drink — and Atlanta’s certainly paying café prices. But when he’s hot, he’s worth every sip.
Latte Lath has the instincts you can’t teach and the hustle you can’t fake. He might not be a steal, but compared to some of MLS’s overpaid forwards, he’s giving solid caffeine for the coin.
💰 The Supporting Cast: Value or Vanity?
Behind the headline acts, you’ve got Juan Berrocal ($1.2M) and Steven Alzate ($1.44M guaranteed) — dependable, if not dazzling. Enea Mihaj earns just over a million and plays like a guy who wants three.
Then there’s Brooks Lennon, quietly doing the work for $740K — a steal considering how often he saves Atlanta from themselves. If MLS had a “Bang-for-the-Buck” award, Lennon’s in the running.
Veteran keeper Brad Guzan, at $312K, has gone from warhorse to wise mentor. He’s not stealing the spotlight — or the budget — anymore. And that’s fine. Every great play needs a good narrator.
🧮 Big Picture: League Context
Atlanta’s spending is wild — third-highest payroll in MLS, behind Miami’s glitzy “Messi & Friends” operation and LAFC’s Hollywood budget.
But unlike Miami, where one guy (Messi) makes over $12 million, Atlanta spreads the wealth. A whopping three players make north of $3.5M each — and together, they account for more than 57% of the team’s payroll.
That’s like building a mansion on a foundation of three pillars — strong if they hold, catastrophic if they crack.
⚖️ Best Bang for the Buck
Want value? Look down the list. Tristan Muyumba ($591K) and Bartosz Slisz ($870K) punch above their paychecks. Jamal Thiaré ($730K) adds some solid minutes for the money too.
And Noah Cobb, earning just $109K, might be the real unsung hero. The kid defends like he’s auditioning for a raise — and given this roster’s salary scale, he might deserve one before halftime.
🔮 The Verdict
Atlanta’s payroll reads like a wish list — world-class names, million-dollar price tags, and a front office unafraid of zeros.But in a league where chemistry often beats cash, the question is whether this collection of high-paid talent can actually play like a team — or just look good on paper.
So far? The checkbook says “championship.”
The results say, “work in progress.”
And in Atlanta, that’s the most expensive phrase in sports.
If there are any new signings or any other updates to the player salaries, I will update the information above.
| Player | Pos | Base | Guaranteed | Rank | % Base | % Guar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miguel Almirón | Right Wing | $6,056,000 | $7,871,000 | 1 | 25.7% | 27.6% |
| Aleksey Miranchuk | Attacking Midfield | $3,600,000 | $4,885,441 | 2 | 15.3% | 17.2% |
| Emmanuel Latte Lath | Center Forward | $3,534,546 | $4,030,546 | 3 | 15.0% | 14.2% |
| Juan Berrocal | Center-back | $1,200,000 | $1,200,000 | 4 | 5.1% | 4.2% |
| Steven Alzate | Central Midfield | $1,125,200 | $1,440,101 | 5 | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Enea Mihaj | Center-back | $1,030,000 | $1,372,000 | 6 | 4.4% | 4.8% |
| Saba Lobjanidze | Left Wing | $900,000 | $998,750 | 7 | 3.8% | 3.5% |
| Stian Gregersen | Center-back | $800,000 | $920,000 | 8 | 3.4% | 3.2% |
| Brooks Lennon | Right-back | $740,000 | $740,000 | 9 | 3.1% | 2.6% |
| Jamal Thiaré | Center Forward | $700,000 | $730,000 | 10 | 3.0% | 2.6% |
| Bartosz Slisz | Defensive Midfield | $670,000 | $870,000 | 11 | 2.8% | 3.1% |
| Tristan Muyumba | Defensive Midfield | $550,000 | $591,600 | 12 | 2.3% | 2.1% |
| Edwin Mosquera | Left Wing | $425,000 | $455,833 | 13 | 1.8% | 1.6% |
| Brad Guzan | Goalkeeper | $300,000 | $312,500 | 14 | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Josh Cohen | Goalkeeper | $289,992 | $328,492 | 15 | 1.2% | 1.2% |
| Ronald Hernández | Right-back | $275,000 | $290,750 | 16 | 1.2% | 1.0% |
| Pedro Amador | Left-back | $231,996 | $267,608 | 17 | 1.0% | 0.9% |
| Noah Cobb | Center-back | $109,000 | $109,000 | 18 | 0.5% | 0.4% |
| Ajani Fortune | Central Midfield | $109,000 | $109,000 | 18 | 0.5% | 0.4% |
| Cayman Togashi | Center Forward | $104,000 | $104,000 | 20 | 0.4% | 0.4% |
| Luke Brennan | Right Midfield | $104,000 | $104,000 | 20 | 0.4% | 0.4% |
| Nyk Sessock | Right-back | $104,000 | $104,000 | 20 | 0.4% | 0.4% |
| Will Reilly | Central Midfield | $80,622 | $80,622 | 23 | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Cooper Sanchez | Central Midfield | $80,622 | $80,622 | 23 | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Adyn Torres | Defensive Midfield | $80,622 | $80,622 | 23 | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Jayden Hibbert | Goalkeeper | $80,622 | $80,622 | 23 | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Leo Afonso | Left Wing | $80,622 | $80,622 | 23 | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Dominik Chong Qui | Left-back | $80,622 | $80,622 | 23 | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Ashton Gordon | Right Wing | $80,622 | $80,622 | 23 | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Matthew Edwards | Right-back | $80,622 | $80,622 | 23 | 0.3% | 0.3% |
Here are the player salaries for all the teams In the MLS.
