Every Inter Miami player's official salary in 2022

The MLS Players Association, bless their incredibly helpful souls, have published their regular list of each player's salary for the 2022 season – listing base salaries and guaranteed money, including every Inter Miami contract. The Herons' high-priced roster hasn't translated into on-pitch production, but a closer look at IMCF's complicated situation reveals hope for a brighter future.

We're working with guaranteed compensation for this list because...well, that's how much money the team's committed to the players and the squad. That's just common sense, isn't it?

These salaries are all correct as of 15 April, the date that collection stopped before this week's release of the numbers. Cost-per-point figures are current as of May 20.

Almost one third of Inter Miami's payroll goes to players no longer with the Herons

IMCF's total payroll of $18.8m is the league's third highest, behind Atlanta ($20.99) and the Galaxy ($20.13). With 12 points so far this year, the Herons are paying $1.57m per point, second only to Chicago's $1.6m (11 points for a payroll totalling $17,650,000).

At first glance, that seems to be a terrible return on investment; based on the MLSPA figures, four teams -- Real Salt Lake ($550,000), Philadelphia ($560,000), Orlando City ($580,000), and New York Red Bulls ($590,000) -- pay less than $600,000 per point and only 10 of 28 clubs pay $1m or more per point.

BUT WAIT, there's more to Inter Miami's story: the salary scandal that led to MLS sanctions and a dramatic offseason roster rebuild left the books bloated with "dead" contracts. Three of the team's highest paid players -- Rodolfo Pizzaro ($3.35m), Blaise Matuidi ($1.5m), and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez ($1.1m) aren't with the club and aren't expected back. That's almost $6m -- almost one-third of the team's total payroll. If you subtract those salaries, Miami's cost-per-point shrinks to a much more reasonable $1.08m.

Gonzalo Higuain, the Herons' most recognizable star and the league's third-highest paid player, has contributed very little to the side's modest success this spring while battling injuries and trying to find a role in coach Phil Neville's system. Take away his $5.8m salary and Inter Miami's cost per point drops below the $1m threshold ($980,000). Only Dallas ($680,000) and New York City FC ($770,000) have better value among the 10 teams with MLS' highest payrolls.

Of course, Miami can't just write-off its high-priced mistakes, and cost-per-point figures will change as the season progresses. But it's encouraging to consider what our actual team -- the players who helped secure our 12 league points (and two U.S. Open Cup wins) -- is actually costing us. It supports the idea that maybe -- maybe -- Inter Miami's brain trust finally has the Herons' flying in the right direction.

Among the players who ARE making a difference for the Herons this year, none make more than Deandre Yedlin's $848,750. Breakout star Leonardo Campana, the team's leading scorer, will earn a pedestrian $135,680 and defensive stalwart Damion Lowe will bank $268,333. With another year of payroll restrictions mandated by MLS for the team's past sins, such productive bargains are a godsend.

Below is the guaranteed compensation for each Inter Miami player in 2022, according to the MLSPA's figures. Remember, this list is accurate as of April 15; it does not include the recent acquisition of Indy Vassilev, for example.

Defenders

Noah Allen -- $67,167

Ian Fray -- $84,000

Kieran Gibbs -- $378,167

Leandro Gonzalez Pirez -- $1,052,750

Joevin Jones -- $458,100

Damion Lowe -- $268,333

Aime Mabika -- $73,625

Christopher McVey -- $224,292

Jairo Quinteros -- $85,000

Ryan Sailor -- $65,500

Brek Shea -- $206,100

Deandre Yedlin -- $848,750

Forwards

Leonardo Campana -- $135,680

Gonzalo Higuain -- $5,793,750

Ariel Lassiter -- $230,280

Robbie Robinson -- $185,000

Robert Taylor -- $278,900

Goalkeepers

Drake Callender -- $130,000

Clement Diop -- $136,250

CJ Dos Santos -- $70,800

Nick Marsman -- $587,184

Midfielders

George Acosta -- $65,500

Mo Adams -- $150,000

Edison Azcona -- $65,500

Gregore de Magalhaes Silva -- $801,000

Bryce Duke -- $120,000

*Blaise Matuidi -- $1,500,000

Jean Mota -- $805,000

*Rodolfo Pizarro -- $3,350,000

Emerson Rodriguez -- $350,500

Victor Ulloa -- $250,000

Felipe Valencia-Barona -- $65,500