• Loading stock data...
Saturday, March 28, 2026

The 25 Highest-Paid MLS Goalkeepers

  • Roman Burki is the highest-paid MLS goalkeeper, earning $1.53 million.
  • Fifteen goalkeepers are earning under $500,000.
Jun 19, 2024; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis CITY SC goalkeeper Roman Burki (1) looks on during a match agains the Colorado Rapids at CITYPARK. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Puetz-USA TODAY Sports

With a record 11 million fans attending matches last season, the MLS continues to grow its presence among major soccer leagues worldwide.

But when two to three times more people show up to catch a match, it’s to watch their teams score goals. The highest-paid MLS goalkeepers earn their keep by preventing goals from hitting the back of their net. 

Roman Burki is the highest-paid MLS goalkeeper of 2025. His $1.53 million salary with St. Louis is $600,000 more than the next closest goalkeeper.

Burki is the only goalkeeper to earn over $1 million for his services and has the third most career clean sheets on the list.

Zack Steffen of the Rapids earns close to a million with his $900,000 earnings. Last January, he signed a three-year, $2.7 million deal.

Steffen has spent half of his career in the United States and the other half in England. He played for Manchester City for two seasons and won back-to-back Premier League titles.

Andre Blake of the Union and Pedro Gallese of Orlando City are tied for third at $800,000.

Blake was the number 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft and has made $4.7 million over his career. 

Gallese has been at Orlando City for five seasons, racking up 32 clean sheets. 

Fifth on the list is Yohei Takaoka of the Whitecaps. Takaoka earns $672,000 playing for Vancouver. He arrived from Japan in 2023 after signing a one-year deal. 

Ranking The Highest-Paid MLS Goalkeepers

Here is the entire list of the highest-paid MLS goalkeepers. The list was compiled with data from Capology.

  • Updated: April 30, 2025
RankPlayerTeamTotal Compensation
1Roman BurkiSt Louis City$1.53 million
2Zack SteffenColorado Rapids$900,000
T-3Andre BlakePhiladelphia Union$800,000
T-3Pedro GalleseOrlando City$800,000
5Yohei TakaokaVancouver Whitecaps$672,000
T-6Stefan FreiSeattle Sounders$600,000
T-6Joe WillisNashville SC$600,000
T-6Brad GuzanAtlanta United$600,000
9Maxime CrépeauPortland Timbers$555,000
10Kristijan KahlinaCharlotte FC$550,000
11Carlos CoronelNY Red Bulls$500,000
12Dayne St ClairMinnesota United$460,000
13Brad StuverAustin FC$459,000
14Sean JohnsonToronto FC$426,039
15DanielSan Jose Earthquakes$425,000
16Roman CelentanoFC Cincinnati$400,000
17Aljaž IvačičNE Revolution$385,000
18Hugo LlorisLA FC$350,000
19Zaz MacMathReal Salt Lake$350,000
20Drake CallenderInter Miami$349,992
21Maarten PaesFC Dallas $325,000
22John McCarthyLA Galaxy$275,000
23Josh CohenAtlanta United$265,000
T-24Andrew Tarbell Houston Dynamo$250,000
T-24Matt FreeseNYCFC$250,000
T-24Alec KannFC Cincinnati$250,000

Related lists:

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

MLS Leaders Think New Schedule Will Be ‘Transformative’

MLS teams have struggled to compete on the market for global talent.
Jun 29, 2024; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; Apple TV commentator Taylor Twellman reports from the pitch before the match between the New York Red Bulls and D.C. United at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
exclusive

Taylor Twellman Joins Yahoo Sports for World Cup

Twellman will regularly appear on multiple shows, including “Yahoo Sports Daily.”
Apr 16, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during a press conference at Audi Field.

FIFA Issues Light Fine to Israel Over Palestinian Team Complaint

FIFA said the West Bank’s status “remains an unresolved…highly complex matter.”
Oct 29, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; USA Head Coach Emma Hayes speaks with midfielder Lo’eau Labonta (11) during the second half of the match against New Zealand at CPKC Stadium.

FIFA Rules All Women’s Teams Must Have Female Coaches

One head or assistant coach must be a woman for FIFA competitions.

Featured Today

Maxime Vachier Lagrave

The Planet’s Best Chess Players Are Having Their LIV Golf Moment

Chess’s most prestigious tournament is battling a splashy Saudi event.
Beau Brune/LSU
March 22, 2026

College Athletic Departments Are Becoming Media Companies

“There’s only so many tickets you can sell, but content is infinite.”
March 18, 2026

AI College Recruiting Reels Aren’t Fooling Scouts

College coaches and recruiters are way ahead of cheating athletes.
March 7, 2026

Alex Eala Has Become One of the Biggest Draws in Tennis

Eala will face Coco Gauff in the third round at Indian Wells.
Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links GC tees off during match against Los Angeles Golf Club during the TGL finals at SoFi Center on March 24, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Tiger Woods Arrested for DUI After Another Rollover Car Crash

Woods was not seriously injured in the Friday afternoon accident.
Mar 17, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) reacts after a score next to center Jalen Duren (0) during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center.
March 20, 2026

How Cade Cunningham’s Injury Could Cost Pistons Nearly $50M

He’s four games shy of hitting the 65-game threshold for NBA awards.
exclusive
March 24, 2026

Star Marathoner Says Gel Company Dropped Her Over Pregnancy

Emma Bates says UCan let her go after she announced her pregnancy.
Sponsored

Cameron Boozer & Cayden Boozer Talk Pressure, Benefit of Playing Together

The Boozer twins have built their games, and their identities, side by side.
Feb 23, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Charlotte Hornets color commentator Dell Curry (left) talks with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (right) before the game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
March 19, 2026

Dell Curry Reveals He Almost Gave Up His Now-Iconic No. 30

Dell Curry will have his jersey retired in Charlotte on Thursday.
Mar 3, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
March 19, 2026

LeBron James Not Interested in Owning Las Vegas Team

James has previously expressed interest in owning an NBA franchise.
Mar 15, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Aryna Sabalenka (BEL) celebrates with the championship trophy after winning the women’s final of the BNP Paribas Open defeating Elena Rybakina (KAZ) at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
March 18, 2026

Sabalenka Suggests She Will Never Play in Dubai Tournament Again

Sabalenka won the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday.
Carlos Alcaraz waits to be announced an take the court of Stadium 1 for his semifinal match against Daniil Medvedev at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., Saturday, March 14, 2026.
March 16, 2026

Alcaraz Approaching Top 4 All-Time Career Earnings at Age 22

Carlos Alcaraz turns 23 in May.