Kai Wagner
Wagner with the Philadelphia Union in 2019
Personal information
Date of birth (1997-02-15) 15 February 1997
Place of birth Geislingen an der Steige, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Left-back
Team information
Current team
 Philadelphia Union
Number 27
Youth career
2001–2009 SV Lonsee
2009–2014 SSV Ulm
2015 FC Augsburg
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2016 SSV Ulm 32 (1)
2016–2017 Schalke 04 II 33 (0)
2017–2019 Würzburger Kickers 40 (0)
2019–2023 Philadelphia Union 138 (5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16 December 2023

Kai Wagner (born 15 February 1997) is a German professional footballer who plays as a left-back

Career

SSV Ulm

Ahead of the 2015–16 season, Wagner signed his first professional contract at 18 years old with SSV Ulm competing in the Oberliga Baden-Württemberg, the fifth tier of German football.[1] Wagner made 32 appearances and scored one goal, helping earn SSV Ulm the championship title and promotion to the fourth tier Regionalliga.[1]

Schalke 04

In summer of 2016, Wagner secured a transfer to Schalke 04 II competing in the Regionalliga West, the fourth tier of German football.[2]

Würzburger Kickers

Wagner playing for Würzburger Kickers

In June 2017, Wagner secured a transfer to Würzburger Kickers competing in the 3. Liga, the third tier of German football after being relegated at the conclusion of the 2016–17 season.[3]

Philadelphia Union

In February 2019, Wagner signed with Major League Soccer club Philadelphia Union for an undisclosed transfer fee.[4] Wagner would emerge as one of the best left backs in MLS, contributing 30 appearances and 8 assists in his first season with the Union.[5][6]

The 2020 season improved on the 2019 season, despite the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kai contributed to the Union's advancing to the semi-finals of the MLS is Back Tournament including his first goal for the Union in a 2–1 win over Inter Miami CF.[7] The Union finished the season with the best league record earning the team's first trophy, the 2020 Supporters' Shield.[8][9] Wagner contributed 14 starts, one goal, and two assists in the Union's championship season.[10]

In January 2021, Wagner signed a new contract with the Union through the 2022 season, with an option for 2023.[11] In August 2021, Wagner was selected to the 2021 MLS All-Star Game versus the Liga MX All-Star team.[12]

On 7 November 2023, Wagner was suspended for three games by Major League Soccer for violating the league's anti-discrimination policy. The violation happened on 28 October 2023, during a match against New England Revolution when Wagner called an opposing forward, Bobby Wood, a slur considered racist towards Asian people.[13]

Career statistics

Club

As of 28 October 2023[14]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
SSV Ulm 2015–16 Oberliga Baden-Württemberg 32100––321
Schalke 04 II 2016–17 Regionalliga West 330–––330
Würzburger Kickers 2017–18 3. Liga 27000––270
2018–19 13000––130
Total 400000000400
Philadelphia Union 2019 MLS 3002[lower-alpha 1]0–2[lower-alpha 2]0340
2020 14100–4[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3]0181
2021 333005[lower-alpha 4]02[lower-alpha 5]0403
2022 330005[lower-alpha 4]03[lower-alpha 5]0410
2023 28100009[lower-alpha 6]2373
Total 1385201002021707
Career total 2436201002002738
  1. ↑ Appearances in U.S. Open Cup
  2. 1 2 Appearances in MLS Cup Playoffs
  3. ↑ Appearances in MLS is Back Tournament
  4. 1 2 Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League
  5. 1 2 Appearances in MLS Cup Playoffs
  6. ↑ One appearance and two goals in U.S. Open Cup, seven appearances in Leagues Cup, one appearance in MLS Cup Playoffs

Honours

SSV Ulm

Philadelphia Union

Individual

References

  1. 1 2 3 Gerold Knehr (21 July 2020). "Kai Wagner: Von den Spatzen in die US-Profiliga MLS – eine nicht alltägliche Karriere". swp.de (in German). Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  2. ↑ "RL West: Holtby und Neustädter sind dabei". fussball.de (in German). 29 July 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  3. ↑ "Würzburger Kickers verpflichten zwei Fußball-Talente". welt.de (in German). 10 June 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  4. ↑ "Philadelphia Union Sign Defender Kai Wagner". Philadelphia Union. 6 February 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  5. ↑ Matthew De George (9 April 2019). "Once an unknown, Union's Kai Wagner emerges as one of MLS's best left backs". The Athletic. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  6. ↑ Joe Tansey (15 September 2019). "Philadelphia Union's Kai Wagner adds to resume as "best left back in league"". ProSoccerUSA. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  7. ↑ Jonathan Tannenwald (15 July 2020). "Kacper Przybylko, Kai Wagner lead Union over Inter Miami, 2-1, and into MLS tournament round of 16". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  8. ↑ Jonathan Tannenwald (8 November 2020). "Union seal the Supporters' Shield, their first-ever trophy, with 2-0 win over New England". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  9. ↑ Dave Uram (9 November 2020). "Philadelphia Union win their first trophy — the Supporters' Shield". KYW Newsradio. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  10. ↑ Daniel Garza (19 November 2020). "Philadelphia Union: Will Kai Wagner be the next big departure?". mlsmultiplex.com. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  11. ↑ "Philadelphia Union Sign Defender Kai Wagner To New Contract". Philadelphia Union. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  12. 1 2 Jonathan Tannenwald (5 August 2021). "Union's Kai Wagner celebrates his first MLS All-Star team selection". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  13. ↑ "Philadelphia Union defender Kai Wagner suspended 3 matches". MLS Soccer. 7 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  14. ↑ "United States – K. Wagner – Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway.
  15. ↑ "Philadelphia Union win 2020 MLS Supporters' Shield on regular season's final day". Major League Soccer. 8 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  16. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (5 November 2022). "Hollywood ending! LAFC win legendary MLS Cup 2022 over Philadelphia Union". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  17. ↑ "2022 MLS All-Star Game Roster". Major League Soccer. 12 July 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  18. ↑ "2022 MLS Best XI presented by Continental Tire". Major League Soccer. 2 November 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
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