Alejandro Bedoya Is Back With The Union, And Has a New Role

Author and Dylan MacKinnon

February 1st 1:27 PM

There were a few big questions heading into 2024 for the Philadelphia Union. Some we already got answers to. For one, Kai Wagner re-signed with the Union, despite the common belief that his time here was over. But heading into their pre-season, we still did not know if their team captain, Alejandro Bedoya, would be back with the team this season. Now we do. The Union themselves took to Twitter today and announced that he will be back for 2024 on a 1-year deal

Alejandro Bedoya has been with the Union since he first came to the MLS in 2016. Before that, he played in France and Sweden, on top of representing Team USA on the International Stage. In his 8 seasons here he has 22 goals and 23 assists. He is 7th all-time in goals in Union history and 3rd in assists. Bedoya is also one of only 3 players to play 200 games for the team. The others being GK Andre Blake and former Union defender Ray Gaddis.

In addition to returning to play this season, he will also take on a new to as “Player Development and Front Office Specialist.”

In the team’s official statement, this is what Alejandro Bedoya had to say about his return and the new role.

“The development and ever-evolving success of both the team and the organization from the first day I started here until now has been nothing short of incredible to witness, and I’m grateful to be able to continue to contribute to both sides of the business going forward. I will continue to give everything I have to this organization, and I look forward to a successful 2024 campaign.”

While Bedoya may not contribute as much on the field as he used to, he scored 0 goals last season for the first time since signing here, he still plays a massive role in the team’s culture as the team leader. He has been here for the team’s ups and downs. Bedoya saw the team transform into one of the giants of the league. Keeping him around was a priority for the team, and they have accomplished that and perhaps found a way to keep him in the building for the long term.

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Lionel Messi Visits Philadelphia And Blows Out The Union (Gallery)

• Messi Warms Up At Subaru Park Before the Game

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  The first time Messi took the field was not in the game, but for Pre-Game Warmups, with an already packed crowd at Subaru Park.

• Union Starters Pose Before Match

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  Andre Blake, Jack Elliott, Kai Wagner, Damion Lowe, Jakob Glesnes, Leon Flach, Jose Martinez, Nathan Harriel, Chris Donovan, Daniel Gazdag, and Jesus Bueno pose on the field before the game.

• Miami’s Starters Pose Pre-Game

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  And here we See Miami's starters. Lionel Messi, Robert Taylor, Josef Martinez, Dixon Arroyo, Benjamin Cremaschi, Sergio Busquets, Deandre Yeldin, Jordi Alba, Serhiy Kryvtsov, Kamal Miller, and Drake Callendar.
• Packed Crowd at Subaru Park

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  To be fair, the Union don't need Messi to pack Subaru Park. The crowd there is always great. But tickets were an even hotter commodity than usual, with even first hand tickets cost hundreds of dollars per person.

• More Shots of Subaru Park

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  Result aside, it was a cool night at Subaru park. The energy was sucked out early thanks to Miami just outplaying the Union. But Union fans still showed up in droves.

• Riverside Shot of Subaru Park Before The Game

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• Messi and Josef Martinez Celebrate Their First Gaol

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  It was not Lionel Messi who scored first for Miami. That honor belonged to Josef Martinez, who had been their best player before they acquired basically every former Barcelona player. But Messi was right there to celebrate with his new teammate after he made it 1-0.

• Messi Makes it 2-0

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  The Union would not hold Messi off the board for long though. Before the 20th minute he scored a semi-long range goal to make it 2-0. Just sneaking the ball by Andre Blake, who probably should have saved it. Here he is celebrating after that goal.

• Jack McGlynn Controls the Ball vs Messi

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  McGlynn, at 20 years old, likely grew up watching Messi and Ronaldo battle in El Clasico. Well last night he got to face Messi in person. here he was with the ball as Messi defended him.
• Jordi Alba Makes It 3-0

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  Late in the first half, Jordi Alba made it 3-0. Alba was one of many former Barcelona teammates with Messi who followed him to South Beach to play for Inter Miami. They played together there from 2012 until Messi left in 2020. Now they reunite in the MLS.

• Alejandro Bedoya Scores The Lone Union Goal

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  At least the Union didn't get shut out. Alejandro Bedoya came off the bench, and in the 73rd minutes, got a goal off a corner kick to make it 3-1. Here he is celebrating with Jakob Glesnes after the goal.

• David Ruiz gets on back for Miami

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  That did not lead to anything for the Union though. About 10 minutes later, another guy who played with Messi at Barcelona made it 4-1 for Miami. David Ruiz netted his first MLS goal, and he can be seen here celebrating with Messi and Alba.

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Author and Dylan MacKinnon

Category:

• Union

Tags:

MLS,Philadelphia Union,Soccer