Star bargains abound in MLS

Now that the MLS salaries have hit the street, and everybody has a better idea of just where the league's money is going, it is time to figure out where the bargains are.

Landon Donovan ($900,000) and Eddie Johnson ($875,000) earn the most because they are the best combinations of talent and marketability, but a league operating like MLS, with its small budget, is built on the players who perform well above their modest salaries.

Here is a look at the best team you could put together.

Goalkeeper: Matt Reis ($90,000). Some would argue that Kansas City starter Bo Oshoniyi ($45,625), the lowest-paid veteran starter, deserves consideration but Reis has been the best in the league and is just the sixth-highest-paid goalkeeper. His 0.94 goals-against average and seven shutouts are both league bests. Who is the worst value at the position? Try Columbus backup Matt Jordan ($99,780), who has missed the season thus far with a back injury.

Defenders: Gonzalo Segares ($11,700), John Wilson ($33,000), and Clarence Goodson ($36,500). The back line is where most teams save their money and this threesome is worth every penny. Segares is one of the league's lowest-tier players but has emerged as an impact player at left back. He has posted three goals and two assists in 11 starts, already more than the team could have expected from the 35th pick in the 2005 MLS Draft. His production is made even more impressive considering he has had more of an impact than either of Chicago's Honduran imports, Samuel Caballero ($162,750) and Ivan Guerrero ($127,500).

D.C. deserves credit for plucking Wilson from the Rochester Rhinos. By dealing Mike Petke ($100,000) and replacing him with Wilson, D.C. made enough room to sign an as-yet-named Argentine defender. Finding undrafted rookie Bobby Boswell ($28,000) hasn't hurt D.C. United, either.

Goodson struggled mightily last year as a rookie, but has settled into the FC Dallas lineup and is the only player on the Hoops to start all 16 games.

The Fire has its share of bargains on its roster but has a lot of dead money on defense, where Tony Sanneh ($365,000), Caballero and Guerrero can hardly be called successful investments. Other defenders doing better in their wallets than on the field include Chivas' Alfonso Loera ($94,500), who was cut by his team and re-signed to a smaller contract, and FC Dallas' Steve Jolley ($92,500), who has played in just three games this season.

Midfielders: Josh Gros, D.C. United (28,000); Thiago, Chicago Fire ($30,000); Mario Rodriguez ($30,000), Columbus; Clint Dempsey, New England ($57,875). It isn't easy finding impact midfielders at a bargain price but the players in this group are all playing above their salaries. After an impressive rookie year, Gros continues to prove his worth by becoming a steady starter for the defending champs. Thiago has helped energize a Chicago midfield that struggled early in the season. The Brazilian's dynamic play has helped the Fire move past the Revs in the East standings.

Rodriguez has managed to make a solid impression despite the struggles in Columbus. The Guatemalan international is a fast and skillful player who could blossom in the right system and under the right coach.

Dempsey is the highest paid field player on this Bargain Best XI, but when you can find an MVP candidate for under $60,000, you have to put him on this team. Dempsey's fearless play, sniper-like finishing and tireless work rate make him one of the league's brightest stars.

There has also been a good amount of money wasted in the midfield. Mexican legend Ramon Ramirez ($500,000) was supposed to be the game-breaker for Chivas USA but has not had the impact some expected him to have. D.C., which boasts bargains in Gros and Brian Carroll ($46,075), also has two expensive midfielders who have failed to make an impact due to injuries in Dema Kovalenko ($165,000) and Steve Guppy ($120,000).

Forwards: Chris Rolfe ($16,500), Nate Jacqua ($43,450), Alejandro Moreno ($37,500). The three forwards on this list have combined for 16 goals and six assists at a combined salary of less than $100,000. Rolfe has been one of the season's best rookies, showing a nose for the goal and fearless nature in the penalty area. Jacqua has already scored more goals this year (7) than he had in his first two years in the league. His combination of size and improving skill has him among the league leaders. Moreno has stepped in for the injured Brian Ching and helped San Jose go on an improbable run in recent weeks. Moreno's team-leading five goals has the Earthquakes in second place in the West.

It isn't difficult to point out the most disappointing striker in the league. Clint Mathis, whether you count him as a forward or midfielder, has done little to justify his $410,000 salary. He did score a nice free-kick goal last week (in a 5-1 loss), but Real Salt Lake had to be expecting more than just one goal through the first half of the season from their highest paid player. Alecko Eskandarian ($115,500) isn't among the league's highest-paid players, but he has yet to score a goal this season, earning him a place on the MLS Worst XI bargains.

So what is the final total salary for our Bargain Best XI? Try a tidy $282,325, less than the individual salaries for the 12 highest paid players currently playing in MLS.

Game Previews

How about those Goats? Real Salt Lake learned the hard way that it's no fun when the piņata has the stick. Between the Chivas rout and Clint Mathis scoring a goal, you wondered whether a certain warm place had frozen over.

With Gold Cup set to end this week, this will be the last set of games affected by the absence of key players. Look for role players to step up as they make the most of their last chances to impress.

San Jose at D.C. United
The Earthquakes are rolling, unbeaten in their past seven matches. They face a D.C. team that has fallen into the league's equivalent of the relegation zone (bottom two in the conference standings). D.C.'s success will depend on whether Jaime Moreno can play. Without him, United will struggle to break down a San Jose defense that has come together amazingly after losing starters Troy Dayak and Craig Waibel to injury. D.C. 1, Earthquakes 1.

Columbus at Chicago
The Robert Warzycha era begins for the Crew at Soldier Field, where the Fire is enjoying life atop the Eastern Conference. Chicago's attack is playing so well right now that it's hard to imagine Columbus being able to slow them down, but combine the motivation of playing for a new coach with the potential hangover Chicago feels after beating New England, and this could be the upset of the weekend. Crew 1, Fire 0.

Colorado at MetroStars
The last time these teams met, Amado Guevara torched the Rapids for a hat trick. Colorado is playing better defensively but hasn't faced an attack like the Metros' in several weeks. Youri Djorkaeff is set to return and should put on a show at Giants Stadium. MetroStars 2, Rapids 0.

FC Dallas at New England
Now that Dallas has replaced New England as the league's top team, the Revs get their chance to regain the top spot. Expect FC Dallas to put major pressure on a New England defense that has struggled in recent weeks. If Carlos Ruiz returns to the FC Dallas lineup, expect New England to taste a home defeat for the first time this sesaon. FC Dallas 2, Revolution 1

Real Salt Lake at Kansas City
Is there life after a blowout loss to Chivas USA? For Real, the 5-1 debacle last week could lead to a free fall, or it could be a wake-up call. We will find out at Arrowhead Stadium, where the Wizards are riding high after shutting out D.C. Expect Kansas City to keep Real Salt Lake tumbling toward the West cellar. Wizards 2, Real Salt Lake 0

Chivas USA at Los Angeles Galaxy
Two months ago, it seemed impossible to imagine a scenario where Chivas could beat the Galaxy. So much for impossible. The Galaxy attack is just too short-handed to do much against a Chivas defense that is still vulnerable. The question is whether Los Angeles can slow down a Chivas attack that is as confident as it has been all season. Antonio Cue can smile this week. He might finally win a bet against Galaxy president Doug Hamilton. Chivas USA 2, Galaxy 1

Last week's record: 4-1
Overall record: 40-32

Ives Galarcep covers MLS for ESPN.com and is also a writer and columnist for the Herald News (N.J.). He can be reached at Ivespn79@aol.com