Kai Wagner has warranted recent headlines for his play. He’s also been a little too present in them for non-soccer reasons.
It’s the latter again this week, with Wagner suspended three games by MLS for use of a racial slur in Game 1 of their playoff series with New England on Oct. 28.
Earlier in the day, Union coach Jim Curtin confirmed that Wagner would not travel with the Union to New England for Wednesday’s Game 2.
“There is currently an investigation going on that involves the players union, the disciplinary committee, the commissioner, lawyers,” Curtin said at his weekly press conference. “I’m not allowed to speak or comment on anything. That investigation is ongoing. Kai will not be a part of this trip, though, that much is certain.”
The left back has been superb of late, with six assists in his last nine games, including one in the 3-1 win over New England in Game 1 on Oct. 28. He had a hand in the buildup to all three goals and is the Union’s top chance creator.
But in a verbal altercation with forward Bobby Wood, Wagner admitted to using a racial slur.
Wood was born in Hawaii and is of Asian and African American descent. He spent much of his teen years and early professional career in Germany and has earned 45 caps for the U.S. national team. Wagner, 26, is of German descent. He will be suspended for Game 2 Wednesday night and a possible Game 3. He won’t be able to return until at least the conference final, should the Union advance that far. His suspension carries over to next season, should he still be on an MLS roster.
MLS issued a press release that stated Wagner had violated the league’s on-field anti-discrimination policy. He has already commenced league-mandated education sessions, which must be completed before his reinstatement. Wagner’s suspension length owes in part to his, “immediate acceptance of responsibility, willingness to participate in a restorative practices process to repair the harm caused, and his cooperation with the league’s investigation,” per the statement.
Wagner took to Instagram later in the day to offer an apology.
“The last few days have been very difficult for me and my family,” he wrote. “I said something I deeply regret in the heat of the moment that was in response to defend the unacceptable comments regarding my family. I sincerely apologize for this and will work on bettering myself and my actions. This is not a representation of who I am.”
It’s the latest nuisance supplied by Wagner, who is out of contract at the end of the year. With the Union unwilling to meet his salary demands, which would likely require making him a designated player, he’s openly celebrated his final regular season home game, with a likely exit to Europe on a free transfer looming. The MLS All-Star and Best IX left back has courted a move to Europe before, but no club has been willing to pay a fee for his services.
And now he’s forced Curtin to a significant rethink of his squad for at least one playoff game.
The likely fix is to move Nathan Harriel, who scored in Game 1, to the left. Harriel has played on his off side three times this year. Leon Flach is another option, as is the ostensible reserve left back Matt Real. Neither of their names was mentioned in Curtin’s 15-minute press conference, a pretty good indication of which way he’s leaning.
“Nathan has played both sides,” Curtin said. “He’s played as a center back for us. He’s done it all and he’s had a great season. I’m really proud of his development and growth.”
The fourth-seeded Union are also facing a game-time decision on Julian Carranza, who left Game 1 with hamstring tightness. The Argentine forward hasn’t trained fully this week. The challenge of playing on Foxoborough’s notoriously unforgiving turf plays into the matter, as does the possibility of a quick turnaround to a Game 3 Sunday in Chester if the fifth-seeded Revs prevail.
About Curtin’s only good news was that Jakob Glesnes (sports hernia surgery) is healing quickly. He went under the knife on Oct. 31 and is already back jogging. Curtin said he doesn’t “rule out him returning later in the playoffs if we’re able to advance.” The ludicrously drawn out playoff schedule – the winners of the first round have to cool their heels in the November international break, thus an MLS Cup final still a month away (and six weeks from Glesnes’ surgery) – works to their advantage.
If everyone was available, the Union may have opted for three center backs in New England, hoping to play out a low-scoring draw and take their chances in penalty kicks. Even without Glesnes, Harriel could’ve played as the right center back with Wagner and Olivier Mbaizo out wide.
But that’s off the table now. Curtin has little alternative to the 4-4-2 diamond and little depth within it.
“The circumstances are challenging, for sure,” Curtin said. “We’ll be missing two of the best defenders that this league has, that’s no secret. We’ve been a team, though, that’s found a way to rally around difficult situations and have guys step up when called upon.”
Source: Berkshire mont
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