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Exclusive interview
Once a prospect in the 3. Liga with Würzburger Kickers Kai Wagner is now one of the big stars in Major League Soccer. The 24-year-old German left-back won the Supporters’ Shield with the Philadelphia Union in 2020 and reached the Eastern Conference final this season. In an exclusive interview with Transfermarkt, Wagner speaks about the highlights and disappointments of this season, his personal development in the league, and his desire to return to Europe this winter.
“It was a massive shock,” Wagner said when asked about testing positive for COVID-19 just before the MLS Cup Eastern Conference Final against New York City FC. “We have no idea where it came from. Thankfully, we are all vaccinated, and the symptoms were mild; it wasn’t even like a cold.”
Philadelphia had 11 players in quarantine—including star goalkeeper Andre Blake, captain Alejandro Bedoya, and center-back Jakob Glesnes—when they faced New York City FC and the Union, despite putting up a significant fight, would lose the game 1-2. “It was the most terrible experience in my life; to sit on the sidelines and watch and hope for the best,” Wagner said.
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There was some talk about moving the game, but Wagner acknowledged that the tight schedule made it almost impossible. Furthermore, the quarantine period could have meant that some players would have also missed the MLS Cup final as well. “That would have been harsh, as many players didn’t even have symptoms.”
In some ways, Philadelphia Union’s misfortunes are a great example of the difficulties clubs face on the road to the MLS Cup. The playoffs and the salary cap pretty much ensure that there is parity in MLS and that almost every club can win the league. But a misfortune like the one that the Union faced can lead to a sudden exit.
“Difficult to say,” Wagner said when asked whether the adversity that the Union faced over the last two MLS Cup Playoffs will eventually lead to the club finally bringing home the trophy. “The most important part is to ensure that you have a home game. You don’t have the away support like you have in Europe, where fans travel. Another aspect is to stay healthy; I am sure that with a full squad, we would have beaten NYCFC.”
“Certainly, it is more exciting,” Wagner said about the format. “But the structure means it isn’t really fair. Last year we dominated the regular season, but the national team break means you are rusty for the first game, making it hard. The bye in the first round is almost a disadvantage. Personally, I would prefer for the two teams that finished first in the East and West to face one another; that would be fairer.”
Kai Wagner: MLS Cup Playoffs “good advertising for the league”
Despite the criticism of the format, Wagner believes the playoffs make the league special. “It gives everyone a push,” Wagner said. “The level is very high. For the players, it was terrific that many games were played during a time that made it possible for Europeans to watch. That was good advertising for the league.”
Even though the last two MLS Cup Playoffs ended in disappointment for Wagner, the move to MLS overall has been excellent for the 24-year-old. Signed by Union sporting director Ernst Tanner for a small sum from 3. Liga side Würzburger Kickers, Wagner has increased his market value from $303,000 to $3.3 million over the last two seasons.
“Today, everybody would laugh about the small fee that Tanner paid to sign me,” Wagner said. “At the time, though, it was a difficult step. And I had to jump over my own shadow. But the talks with Ernst Tanner and head coach Jim Curtin helped me make my decision, and once I knew that my family was on board, the decision [to move to MLS] was made very quickly.”
Kai Wagner (c.) had two successful years with the Philadelphia Union
“From a footballing standpoint, I knew right away that it was a big chance,” Wagner said. And Wagner took the chance with both hands and made the most of it. In 91 games across all competitions, Wagner has scored four goals and 12 assists and is now one of the best, if not the best, left-backs in MLS.
Wagner saw MLS as a stepping-stone: “I want to make the step to Europe in January”
The 24-year-old, however, always viewed the move to MLS as a stepping-stone and a transfer that would allow him to show his talent on a bigger stage and eventually make the step back to Europe to a club in one of the top four leagues. Wagner’s ambitions highlight that the image of MLS as a retirement league is changing. Instead, it is a league for an in-between step, for players that are perhaps not quite ready for a top-four league but wish to play in a competitive league with a strong infrastructure and an eye to develop talent.
Although Wagner loves playing in MLS and for the Union, the left-back also stressed that the time has come for the next step. “I want to make the step to Europe in January,” Wagner said. “I want to prove to myself that I can play Europe; I am honest enough to say that I want to do it now. I also want to be closer to the family.”
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“It is still open and too early to say where I am going,” Wagner said when asked where he would want to go and whether the Bundesliga could be an option. “The transfer window will open in January; there are talks but nothing concrete.” The most important aspect for Wagner is that he gets the chance to play and further develop his game; being close to the family in Germany would be, of course, a bonus for the native of Geislingen an der Steige.
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