Montreal has the smallest payroll in MLS... and Toronto the biggest

Comparisons between Toronto and Montreal will never cease in Quebec. There’s certainly a certain jealousy when it comes to NBA and MLB teams nesting in the Six.

If the Habs and Leafs have a similar market in field hockey, then comparisons are often made to soccer.

Today, the headline is jubilant for Toronto:

Toronto FC has the largest payroll in MLS ($25.7m), while Montreal CF has the smallest ($10.5m).

But that doesn’t mean the subtitle is.

CF Montreal beat Toronto FC twice last week, eliminating their Canadian championship rivals and taking the lead in the overall MLS standings.

As expected, @cfmontreal has the smallest payroll in the @MLS. #CFMTL
$10.5M. https://t.co/qGO67CDJ5Y

– Jeremy Filosa 🎙 (@JeremyFilosa) May 16, 2023

In fact, Toronto’s two Italian stars, Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi, earn more than Montreal’s entire payroll, just under $13.4 million.

Money doesn’t buy championships in MLS. Is it even legitimate to wonder what Montreal CF could do with a purchasing power similar to Toronto FC’s, given that its spending strategy would certainly not be the same?

Nevertheless, Toronto has the power to bring stars to Montreal, which would certainly help grow the sport in the Quebec metropolis.

For now, we have to make do with a “well-built” team that must exceed expectations through line-up construction and development.

On the move

– Still in MLS.

The @mls is set to announce on Thursday that San Diego will become the league’s 30th franchise. The new club would debut in 2025 at a cost of $500 million. Quite a bit more than the $40M Saputo paid back then. This league moves so fast! pic.twitter.com/zUegYLfExW

– Jeremy Filosa 🎙 (@JeremyFilosa) May 16, 2023

– Bobrovsky changed the series, for him.

Everything changed from that moment on!👀https://t.co/ajraP7uL4e

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) May 16, 2023

– Promotion at the Kings.

We’ve promoted Bill Ranford to Director of Goaltending after serving the last 17 years as Goaltending coach.

📝 https://t.co/EUrqbGKL5G#GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/apX1up3yQh

– LA Kings (@LAKings) May 16, 2023