Seattle Sounders general manager Adrian Hanauer is well aware that striker Eddie Johnson is not getting paid enough.
The former Fulham man has made it public in the past that he is not happy with his contract and added to that with a 'pay me' goal celebration after he scored the winning goal against Columbus Crew on the weekend.
Johnson gestured for more money after scoring the goal and although it was a very suggestive move, Hanauer was not at all taken aback.
"I've said it before, Eddie is underpaid at this point and we'll address that behind closed doors," Hanauer told reporters on Monday.
"For me, as long as those sorts of things aren't getting in the way of us winning a championship, I couldn't really care less. When it becomes a distraction to the team, then it's an issue with me.
"For now, we picked up a great win, Eddie was a huge part of it, he was great with his teammates, so for me it's not an issue.
"A little controversy, a little interesting flavor to some of our games isn't always a bad thing."
Head coach Sigi Schmid added: "Hopefully, there will be some kind of agreement that will be able to be reached that will solve it.
"He's playing well, he's working hard for us, he was engaged in the game, it didn't take away from his engagement in the game. Even when I subbed him out, he was fully committed to the team, he was happy as anyone when we won, he was as animated and fully involved in the game.
"That's what I'm looking for in a player. I need a player who's committed to the team, who's committed to winning games, which he is."
