The Philadelphia Union does not plan to offer a contract extension to club captain Alejandro Bedoya, multiple sources briefed on the matter told The Athletic this week. Those sources requested anonymity to protect their positions.
If carried out as planned, the move would end Bedoya’s eight-year tenure at the club, as his contract expires after the 2023 season.
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Bedoya, 36, was informed of the Union’s plan in a conversation after a training session last week. Bedoya approached Tanner and asked for some clarity on his situation, the sources said and was told he would not be returning and that he’d need to find a new club. The conversation lasted “less than 20 seconds,” according to one source which was confirmed independently by others aware of the encounter.
In addition to Bedoya, sources briefed on the Union’s plans told The Athletic that star left back Kai Wagner will likely depart as well.
Wagner, 26, is also out of contract at the end of the season and sources say talks about a potential extension have gotten nowhere all season. The defender has received strong European interest, including an offer from Greek club AEK Athens, sources familiar with the situation said on Thursday. The Greek side is coached by former San Jose Earthquakes head coach Matías Almeyda. Earlier this year, The Athletic reported that Wagner had drawn interest from English Premier League side Leeds United.
When reached on Thursday afternoon, the Philadelphia Union declined to comment.
Bedoya joined the Union in 2016 and in time became the face of the franchise, having been integral to the Union’s growth from a league afterthought to one of MLS’ most consistent clubs. He has scored 24 goals in 202 appearances for the club since joining as a designated player from FC Nantes, a constant at the heart of Philly’s midfield as players and style around him have changed. Since his debut, the club has made the playoffs in seven of his eight years, including winning their first-ever trophy in 2020, the Supporters’ Shield, then a trip to MLS Cup final in 2022.
“To be honest, they should build a statue for this guy at the club,” Union head coach Jim Curtin said during a press conference last year.
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This year, the veteran has played in 35 matches across all competitions and has remained an essential piece for a Union side that currently sits in third place in the Eastern Conference. Just three teams across all of MLS have earned more points this year than the Union. The Union made the playoffs once in their first six years before Bedoya joined.
In September of last year, Bedoya signed a one-year contract worth a guaranteed $1,060,000. At the time, Tanner praised his influence on the Union’s youngest players.
The Union has made a habit of redeveloping their roster to great success over the last five years under Tanner and Curtin. Key starter Haris Medunjanin was let go after 2019, an unpopular decision within the club and fanbase, but one which paved the way for Jose Martinez to be signed and eventually thrive. Center backs Auston Trusty and Mark McKenzie have moved on, as well as fellow rising young talents Brenden and Paxten Aaronson, plus leading goal scorer Kacper Przybylko as the team continued to evolve.
Bedoya earned 66 caps during a seven-year run with the U.S. men’s national team, starting all four matches at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Prior to his arrival in Philly, Bedoya played in France, Scotland and Sweden in the first seven years of his professional career.
Wagner joined the Union in 2019 from German third-tier club Wurzburger Kickers. Signed as a little-known left back, Wagner quickly became a fan favorite and has consistently been viewed as the best left back in MLS. He set a new league record for assists for a defender in 2022 with 15 (MLS officially counts secondary assists in their totals). He was named a finalist for the defender of the year award and was named to MLS’s best XI in 2022.
Wagner’s future has been a constant point of speculation over the last few years. He was linked with a potential move to Leeds under former head coach Jesse Marsch, but no offer came. He is eligible for MLS free agency and could stick around the league as well this winter.
The Union, which has already clinched a playoff spot, will close its season this weekend when the club travels to New England for a match against the Revolution.
GO DEEPER
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(Top photo: Mohammad Karamali/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)