OneFootball
Andrew Thompson¡20 October 2024
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Andrew Thompson¡20 October 2024
Philadelphia Union star left-back Kai Wagner had plenty to say in the wake of the Unionâs 2-1 Decision Day loss against visiting FC Cincinnati.
Wagner, who completed the full 90 minutes at Subaru Park on Saturday, levied his full-throated opinion after the full-time whistle, providing insight into the mentality of the Union dressing room.
âI think everybody has to look in their own heads now and ask themselves, did I give everything the season?,â he said.
âThat reflects the whole season. Itâs the players, itâs the owners, itâs everybody around, itâs coaches. Everybody has to reflect (on) the season now.
And dccording to Wagner, the mentality of his team-mates was below par.
âI love all our homegrown, but you donât win games in this league just with homegrown. And I think we have to go back to get winning players who have the mentality to win every game.
âI saw too many players today in the locker room who really like, probably donât care that we get out of the playoffs.
âThatâs something that really pisses me off, when you like players, who like, donât care, and just go home now and think. âOkay, nice, I have vacation in front of me.
âIâm not a player like this. This will stay with me. The 2022 MLS Cup stayed a lot with me, a couple of weeks. So I think thatâs even worse today, probably, not to make the playoffs.â
The German-born defender has been ever-present for the Union since his arrival from WĂźzburger Kickers in 2019, making over 170 appearances for the Union and playing a vital role in the clubâs 2020 Supportersâ Shield-winning season as well as their run to an MLS Cup Final in 2022.
On a night when younger Quinn Sullivan bagged the only goal against Cincy, Wagnerâs words certainly come at an interesting moment in the clubâs trajectory.
Photo Credit: Š Caean Couto-Imagn Images