The Philadelphia Union is set to part ways with club captain Alejandro Bedoya, according to sources familiar with the matter. The decision not to offer Bedoya a contract extension would bring an end to his eight-year tenure at the club, as his current contract expires after the 2023 season.
Sources have revealed that Bedoya was informed of the Union’s plan in a brief conversation with club sporting director Ernst Tanner after a training session last week. The conversation lasted less than 20 seconds, with Bedoya being told that he would not be returning to the club and would need to find a new team.
In addition to Bedoya, sources have also indicated that star left back Kai Wagner is likely to depart the club. Wagner’s contract is also set to expire at the end of the season, and talks about a potential extension have not progressed throughout the season. The 26-year-old defender has attracted interest from European clubs, including Greek side AEK Athens, who have made an offer for his services. Wagner has also been linked with English Premier League side Leeds United earlier this year.
When contacted for comment, the Philadelphia Union declined to provide any information on the situation.
Bedoya joined the Union in 2016 and quickly became a key figure at the club. He has scored 24 goals in 202 appearances for the team since joining from FC Nantes. Bedoya has been a consistent presence in the Union’s midfield, helping the team achieve success and make the playoffs in seven of his eight years at the club. Under his leadership, the Union won their first-ever trophy, the Supporters’ Shield, in 2020 and reached the MLS Cup final in 2022.
Despite his age, Bedoya has remained an essential player for the Union this season, featuring in 35 matches across all competitions. The team currently sits in third place in the Eastern Conference, with only three teams in MLS earning more points than them this year. Bedoya’s influence on the Union’s younger players has been praised by head coach Jim Curtin, who even suggested that a statue should be built in his honor at the club.
The Philadelphia Union has a history of redeveloping their roster with great success under the leadership of Tanner and Curtin. They have made difficult decisions in the past, such as letting go of key players like Haris Medunjanin, which paved the way for the emergence of new talents like Jose Martinez. The team has also seen the departure of promising young players like Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie, Brenden Aaronson, and Paxten Aaronson, as well as leading goal scorer Kacper Przybylko.
Bedoya has also had an impressive international career, earning 66 caps for the U.S. men’s national team. He started all four matches for the team at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Before joining the Union, Bedoya played in France, Scotland, and Sweden.
As for Wagner, he joined the Union in 2019 from German third-tier club Wurzburger Kickers. Despite being relatively unknown at the time, Wagner quickly became a fan favorite and has consistently been regarded as the best left back in MLS. He set a new league record for assists by a defender in 2022 with 15. Wagner was named a finalist for the defender of the year award and was included in MLS’s best XI that year.
Wagner’s future has been the subject of speculation for some time, with Leeds United showing interest under former head coach Jesse Marsch. However, no offer materialized, and Wagner is now eligible for MLS free agency. It remains to be seen whether he will stick around in the league or explore other options.
The Philadelphia Union, who have already secured a playoff spot, will conclude their season with a match against the New England Revolution this weekend.
In conclusion, the Philadelphia Union’s decision not to offer a contract extension to Alejandro Bedoya and the likely departure of Kai Wagner marks the end of an era for the club. Bedoya has been a key figure in the Union’s success over the past eight years, while Wagner has established himself as one of the best left backs in MLS. The Union’s ability to rebuild their roster and continue their success will be tested once again as they look to fill the void left by these two influential players.