Which MLS teams are getting most from their money?

The release of each team’s salaries by the MLS Players Union on Tuesday has enabled the building of a snapshot of points-per-dollars spent through the first eight weeks of the season.

In the table below, I’ve totaled each team’s guaranteed compensation (for some reason Atlanta United goalkeeper Alec Kann is listed as being paid by Sporting KC and not Atlanta United), divided that total by the number of games played, and then divided that total by the number of points earned to come up with points-per-dollars spent. For example, if a team is going to spend $10,000,000 in guaranteed compensation and has played 10 games and earned 5 points, it’s points-per dollars spent is $10,000,000/10 for $1,000,00, divided by 5 for a total of $200,000 per point.

As you can see, Houston, Columbus, Dallas, New York Red Bulls, Sporting KC and Portland seem to be spending wisely while Philadelphia, the L.A. Galaxy and Colorado aren’t. Of course, the Union remain the only winless team in the league and Colorado has just one win, so their points are slightly skewed. And those that seem to be spending wisely have already earned a lot of points so their ratio is slightly skewed.

Of those that are among the elite, Toronto and NYCFC are spending the most by a wide margin.

Atlanta United seems to be spending prudently.

The points-per-dollars spent will change throughout the season as more games are played and more points earned.