Kai Wagner Suspended 3-Games For Use of A Racial Slur In Game 1
Philadelphia Union defender Kai Wagner (27) passes the ball during the second half against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium
The Union will be without defender Kai Wagner for the next 3 games. Why? Kai Wagner called Revolution Strike Bobby Wood an anti-Asian racial slur in German. But Wood, who is of Asian descent, played in Germany earlier in his career and understood the slur. It was reported to the MLS, and they found sufficient evidence to suspend Wagner for 3 games. The Union released this statement following the news.
The Union won game 1 over the Revolution. But there was a moment in the game where Kai Wagner and Bobby Wood exchanged words. Afterward, Bobby Wood went to the refs to tell them something, but play resumed quickly with nothing made of it. Now we have an idea of what happened.
Wagner will miss the next 3 games, assuming the Union get 3 more games in the playoffs. They are in the midst of a 3-game series vs the Revolution, which continues tonight in New England. If the Union win, they move on to play the winner of FC Cincinnati vs Red Bulls. But if they drop these next two games, Wagner won’t get a chance to even miss that 3rd game. It is the final year of Wagner’s deal with the Union, and the expectation is that he will not return. So game 1 could have been the last game of his Union career if his team does not continue to win.
Wagner did not deny the claim and accepted the suspension. He put out this statement on Instagram after the decision came down.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CzXjHUBN_NS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Wagner has been one of the best players to play for the Union. But if his Union career ends with him being suspended for the use of a racial slur, where does that leave his legacy here? It’s something every fan will have to decide on their own. But for now, they will be without Wagner, and there is no one to blame for that except Wagner himself.
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Union Open Up the Playoffs With a 3-1 Win Over The Revolution
The Union did not have the usual dominating season we have become accustomed to. In the last couple of years, it was clear they were one of the best teams in the MLS. This year, there were issues. Some were their fault, some were out of their control. It was a weird season for the MLS with interruptions by both the Leagues Cup and International Play. And that International Play meant star goalie Andre Blake was away from the team for several games during the regular season. All of it led to a sloppier season for the Union. They had to settle for the 4th seed in their conference after being either the 1 or 2 seed the past three seasons.
None of those issues were present in their first game in the playoffs though. They dominated the Revolution in the first game of a 3-game series. By the 37th minute, they were up 3-0. Daniel Gazdag, Mikkel Uhre, and Nathan Harriel all scored in the first half. The Revolution made a bit of a push in the second half. But it was never enough to undo the 3-0 lead. The Union won 3-1 to take game 1 of the series.
The win continues the tradition of the Union being downright dominant at Subaru Park. They have lost just one game in Philadelphia in MLS play all season long. Meanwhile, they were 5-8-4 when on the road. The bad news is if they continue into the playoffs, they will likely be on the road against all future opponents. The drawback of some of their struggles in the regular season, even if they looked much better today.
Next up for the Union is game 2 of the series with the Revolution. That game takes place back in New England, but won’t be played until Wednesday, November 8th.
Like the Union, New England tends not to lose games when they play at home. They were 12-1-4 when playing in Gillette Stadium. And these two teams met in the final game of the regular season, with the Revolution winning 2-1. If the Union can’t finish out the 3 game series in New England, it would come back to Subaru Park for a win on Sunday, November 12th.
Here are all the goals from the game:
Andrew Salciunas, “The Choonis,” has done it all at the station - screening calls, working events as a member of the street team, producing 7 days a week, doing updates, and now hosting his own show. Now with a wife and kid, his life experiences are far different than when he first started, but this “regular guy” knows how to relate to anyone. He writes about the Flyers, Phillies, Sixers, and Eagles.
