MLS salaries revealed for 2023: Flop-filled highest-paid list includes Xherdan Shaqiri and Douglas Costa in top 10

Shaqiri is coming off a good weekend, but it's still been a poor 2023 for the former Liverpool player. With just one goal contribution in MLS all season after 18 in his debut campaign, he hasn't provided enough punch for the Chicago Fire considering he is the most expensive player in the league by guaranteed compensation.

The Fire are in 13th place in the Eastern Conference and just let go of coach Ezra Hendrickson. Shaqiri needs to be much better the rest of the way to justify his wages.

Staying fit has been a huge problem for Insigne, as he's had moments of brilliance when healthy but only played in 17 MLS matches since joining Toronto FC from Napoli last year. To his credit, though, he has halved his wages from his debut campaign to provide more flexibility to his struggling club.

Toronto FC are dead last in the Eastern Conference through 12 matches.

With 17 goals scored in 2021 and 18 goals scored in 2022, LA Galaxy striker Chicharito has overall been a worthwhile signing. His cultural significance as a Mexican icon is also valuable from a marketing perspective.

That said, he's endured a difficult start to 2023, with injuries limiting him to six MLS appearances so far. This could go down as a rough campaign for him if the Galaxy don't turn around their form soon.

Toronto FC simply aren't getting enough out of their stars. Bernardeschi has been decent in 2023 with three goals and three assists, plus quality 1-v-1 dribbling skills, but he needs to hit an elite level if the club is to salvage its season.

At 29 years old, there is still time for the former Juventus player to elevate his game.

Austin FC convinced Driussi to sign a new contract rather than transfer to Europe, and he reportedly even had Premier League interest. It was a reward for an MVP finalist 2022 season.

Driussi is trying to shake off an injury-plagued start to this year, and while he's been underwhelming over the past few months, it's far too early to cast judgement on him.

The Houston Dynamo brought in Herrera to boost their midfield and further tap into the Mexican fan market, and he's quietly been a solid player for them in his first two seasons. His passing and forward movement from midfield are as good as anyone in MLS, and the Dynamo are now in the playoff hunt.

Costa's Gremio tenure ended in disgrace, with him feuding with fans on the way out, so it's a wonder that the LA Galaxy gave him a fat contract. Predictably, he's struggled to live up to his wages, making just one start in 2023. His club is one of the worst in MLS this year. Just an all-around bad situation.

Atlanta United do good business, and their handling of Araujo has been an example of their intelligent approach to the international market. The 26-year-old arrived from Lille not as a finished product, but someone the club could develop long-term.

Araujo hasn't been Atlanta's best player by any stretch of the imagination, but he's a solid piece for a playoff contender who could spend many more years at Mercedes Benz Stadium.

Benteke is proving his doubters wrong this year with D.C. United, scoring five goals in 11 appearances in a squad that has been one of the pleasant surprises of the early season.

"Defenses are scared of him,” teammate Lewis O'Brien recently said to the Washington Post. “He has his abilities in the air and abilities on the floor. I mean, they’re going to double up on him. They’re going to try to be aggressive with him, and that opens spaces everywhere.”

Once an amazing player? Yes. Still at that level? Not really. Inter Miami's marquee offseason addition has managed just seven starts and three goals, still looking for the burst that made him one of the most feared forwards in MLS.

Fortunately for Martinez, Inter Miami are playing well and enjoying a surge in attendance. He might not be their highest-paid player for much longer, as Lionel Messi would smash his wages if David Beckham convinces the Argentine to come to MLS.