The Philadelphia Union still have major goals to achieve before the end of the 2023 season, but will reportedly say goodbye to two key players heading into next year.
Midfielder Alejandro Bedoya and full back Kai Wagner are both set for offseason departures, as reported by The Athletic on Thursday. Both players’ contracts are set to expire at the end of the calendar year and it doesn’t look likely that the Union will retain them heading into the future.
Bedoya, 36, joined the Union in 2016 and has been a key leader, both on and off the field. A former Designated Player signing, Bedoya has scored 24 goals in 202 appearances for the Union, leading the team to a Supporters’ Shield in 2020 and a first-ever MLS Cup Final appearance in 2022.
He has made 35 combined appearances for the Union in 2023. Bedoya previously played in Sweden (Helsingborgs, Orebro), Scotland (Rangers), and France (Nantes).
The Union have reached the playoffs in seven of Bedoya’s eight seasons with the club and have already clinched their postseason berth for 2023.
The 26-year-old Wagner has been arguably viewed as the best left back in MLS since joining the Union in 2019 from German club Wurzburger Kickers. He has contributed seven goals and 31 assists in 168 combined appearances, earning All-Star nods twice (2021, 2022) and a Best XI nomination once (2022).
Wagner was also a finalist for the MLS Defender of the Year award in 2022.
He has been linked previously with a return to Europe, which included English club Leeds United, and most recently Greek side AEK Athens, according to recent reports.
The Union have replacements ready at both areas of the field, should both Bedoya and Wagner officially leave the club this winter.
Jose Martinez, Jack McGlynn, Daniel Gazdag, Leon Flach, and Jesus Bueno are all key midfield players in the squad. Homegrown defender Nathan Harriel could shift sides after mainly featuring as a right back in his early MLS days.
Matt Real is also a left back option, as well as Union II standout and U.S. youth national team defender Anton Sorenson.
The Union will close out their regular season schedule on October 22 against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium.
