KAI WAGNER NEWS

Whips in 14 crosses Wagner crossed 14 times (four accurate), created two chances and made five tackles (winning two) during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Chicago.

Impact Wagner was effective on both sides of the ball Saturday leading the Union in both crosses and chances created. The fullback is one of the most prolific crossers in the league with 269 across 29 appearances a year ago to go along with nine goal involvements.

FEBRUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Philadelphia's Kai Wagner reinstated for first Union game of the season

Philadelphia Union defender Kai Wagner’s suspension for violating Major League Soccer’s on-field discrimination policy has been lifted for the team’s opening game of the season

FEBRUARY 20 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Available for season opener Wagner will be available for Philadelphia's season opener against Chicago on Saturday after his suspension for an on-the-field incident from last season was lifted by the league.

Impact Wagner was suspended for using an alleged anti-Asian slur toward Bobby Wood during Philadelphia's 3-1 win over New England on Oct. 28 and received an initial three-game ban, which was set to end following the 2024 campaign opener. However, the league announced the suspension had been lifted after the left-back "completed the MLS' restorative practices program while keeping with the MLS-MLSPA Joint Anti-Discrimination Policy." As such, Wagner is expected to open the season as the Union's starting left wing-back, as has been the case over the last few seasons as well.

FEBRUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Re-signs with Philly Wagner has agreed to re-sign with Philadelphia, signing a deal through the 2026 season with an option for the 2027 season, the club announced Thursday.

Impact Wagner will be remaining with the Union after spending the past five seasons with them, signing a three-year contract with an option for the 2027 campaign. The defender has yet to play with any other team in his MLS career, appearing in 121 matches in his time with the club while notching five goals on 77 shots and 29 assists on 259 chances created. He has also been great in the defense with his 216 clearances, 230 interceptions and 300 tackles over that span. He should come back to the club as a regular starter once again, however, he will have to sit out for the first few matches of the season, as he will still be suspended for an on-the-field incident that occurred last campaign.

JANUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Union D Kai Wagner banned 3 games for racist language Oct 7, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Union defender Kai Wagner (27) sets up a cross against Nashville SC in the first...

NOVEMBER 7, 2023 • KANSASCITY.COM

MLS suspends Union's Kai Wagner for 3 games for violating league's anti-discrimination policy

Major League Soccer has suspended Philadelphia Union defender Kai Wagner for three matches for violating the league’s on-field anti-discrimination policy after the league launched...

NOVEMBER 7, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Philadelphia Union defender Kai Wagner suspended 3 matches | MLSSoccer.com MLS has issued a three-match suspension to Philadelphia Union defender Kai Wagner for violating the league’s on-field antidiscrimination pol...

NOVEMBER 7, 2023 • MLSSOCCER.COM

Union's Wagner not traveling for Wednesday's game MLS is reviewing a complaint filed Oct. 30 alleging that Kai Wagner directed a racial slur at the Revolution's Bobby Wood in a game.

NOVEMBER 7, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Handed three-match ban Wagner was handed a three-match ban for his use of a racial slur.

Impact Wagner will be suspended for Wednesday's clash with New England. If Philadelphia win that match he will miss the conference semi final and conference final. If Philadelphia lose that match and still progress he would be banned for Sunday's clash as well as the conference semi final. Either way it's a major blow as Nathan Harriel now is expected to move into the starting XI.

NOVEMBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will not travel Wednesday Wagner is under investigation for using an alleged anti-Asian slur toward Bobby Wood during Oct 28 3-1 win over New England and will not travel for game two on Wednesday, per Jonat...

Impact Wagner could be set for a suspension as he will not play Wednesday while under investigation. He has been an important part of the lineup since 2019, making been a consistent starter for the last five seasons. However, during his absence Olivier Mbaizo is expected to return to the lineup to play at right back, with Nathan Harriel playing at left back.

NOVEMBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Trains despite allegations Wagner still participated in practice on Monday ahead of Wednesday's match against the Revolution despite the ongoing allegations of using a racial slur, reported by Jonathan Tanne...

Impact Wagner was still in training and appears to be an option for Wednesday's match amid the allegations of using a racial slur in their opening playoff match against the Revolution. The MLS is still probing the incident, and a lot could happen between match day and now. As of now, expect the defender to be in the starting XI, but don't be surprised if he is suspended before the match.

NOVEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Kai Wagner practices with Union amid MLS investigation into allegations he used a racial slur on Saturday One source with knowledge of the proceedings said that the investigation is still in its fact-finding stage, and that for now, Wagner is not...

OCTOBER 31, 2023 • INQUIRER.COM

If this was Kai Wagner's last Union home game, he went out with a bang Wagner created the second goal against New England with a great pass, and the third with a pinpoint free kick. And he helped Mikael Uhre and...

OCTOBER 29, 2023 • INQUIRER.COM

Assists in playoff win Wagner assisted once to go with six crosses (two accurate) and two chances created in Saturday's 3-1 victory versus New England Revolution.

Impact Wagner assisted the Union's third goal Saturday as his cross found Nathan Harriel's head in the 37th minute to take the 3-0 lead. It marked his eighth assist of the season, six of which have come in his last nine matches. He recorded six crosses, something he has done in 10 of his last 11 matches. He also won three of his four attempted tackles and made two clearances in the win.

OCTOBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Busy in loss Wagner recorded 10 crosses (two accurate) and three corners in Saturday's 2-1 loss to New England Revolution. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 24th minute.

Impact Wagner piled on the chances, as he has throughout his time in Philadelphia and added three more to his tally on decision day. The defender's long-term future is uncertain, but in the short term he heads into the MLS playoffs as one of the top attacking left-backs in the MLS. Wagner finished the regular season with 80 chances created and 262 crosses whipped in.

OCTOBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jim Curtin hopes the Union can somehow find a way to keep Kai Wagner "I am still very optimistic and hopeful that he can stay here,” Curtin said, even as he admitted it's not up to him.

OCTOBER 6, 2023 • INQUIRER.COM

Completes suspension Wagner finished serving his one-match suspension and is expected to be available for Saturday's match versus Nashville.

Impact Wagner continues to be one of the league's best left backs for the third straight season, totaling 239 crosses (75 accurate) thus far, which is the second most in the league. This also brings his average per game to 9.1, while also averaging 2.5 chances and 2.2 tackles per contest.

OCTOBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Busy day in draw Wagner assisted once to go with nine crosses (two accurate) and six corners in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Columbus Crew. He was subbed off due to injury in the 77th minute. He als...

Impact Wagner recorded his seventh assist of the season Saturday as his corner found Nathan Harriel's head in the 50th minute to take the 1-0 lead. Unfortunately for him, that was not his most important of the match. Not only was he injured and subbed off in the 77th minute, but he also picked up his fifth yellow card of the season which will force him out of Wednesday's match versus Atlanta United. The extent of his injury is currently unclear.

OCTOBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Assists on lone goal Wagner assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal), eight crosses (three accurate) and five corners in Wednesday's 1-1 draw against FC Dallas.

Impact Wagner helped his side open the scoring in the 25th minute, as he delivered a picturesque through ball up to Quinn Sullivan, who finished the job to give the Union a 1-0 advantage. The assist marked the sixth of the season for Wagner, which keeps him on pace to potentially surpass his career high of nine assists in a season, set last year. Wagner also accounted for a total of six chances created in the match, which ties his season high.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leader in crosses, chances created Wagner crossed seven times (two accurate) and created two chances during Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Charlotte.

Impact Wagner was held off the scoresheet while leading the Union in both crosses and chances created in the match. The fullback has three goal involvements in his past five matches, all coming in one game, as he remains one of the best attacking players in the league with 52 crosses and 22 chances created in that same timespan.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hat trick of assists Wagner had three assists while crossing 11 times (six accurate) and creating six chances during Sunday's 4-1 win over New York Red Bulls.

Impact Wagner set up three second half goals while also leading the Union in both crosses and chances created in the match. The wing-back broke a streak of four matches without a goal involvement but remains one of the best attacking players in his position in the league with double digit crosses and at least four chances created in each of his last three appearances.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ten crosses in win Wagner attempted 10 crosses (four accurate), took five corners and created four chances in Saturday's 3-1 win over D.C. United.

Impact Wagner attempted more than twice as many crosses as any of his teammates, regularly getting into attacking positions from the left-back position. He was also solid defensively, winning three of his four tackles. The defender ranks third in the MLS for accurate crosses with 52 and is unlucky two have only managed two assists so far.

AUGUST 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Four crosses in win Wagner registered four crosses (zero accurate) and two corners in Thursday's 2-0 victory against Nashville SC. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 44th minute.

Impact Wagner did not miss a beat in his return to the starting lineup as he once again led the team in crosses in Wednesday's game. The 26-year-old looked decent in his return from a hamstring injury as supplied four crosses, one tackle, and two clearances in the win. The German has been okay for Philly this year but is yet to see the same form he held last year when he compiled nine assists, compared to the two he has this season.

JULY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back in lineup Wagner is in the starting lineup during Wednesday's match versus Nashville.

Impact Wagner has the second most crosses in the league with 158, averaging about 9.2 per match. He has also started in every game featured in for the team since 2021, becoming one of the club's most reliable players in recent seasons.

JULY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out Wagner (hamstring) is out for Saturday's trip to La Galaxy, according to the Philadelphia injury report.

Impact Wagner will miss a second match in a row as he deals with a hamstring injury. The left-back is a major loss in the starting XI, though Leon Flach could fill in for Wagner once more against LA Galaxy. Wagner's next chance to return is a Wednesday trip to Nashville.

JULY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE