Major League Soccer reinstates Philadelphia Union defender Kai Wagner
- Wagner was set to miss the first game of the 2024 MLS season
- He was originally suspended for his actions vs the Revs in game two of the playoffs
- 27-year-old is now available for selection on Saturday against Chicago Fire
Major League Soccer has reinstated Philadelphia Union defender Kai Wagner just days before the start of the 2024 season.
The decision to reduce Wagner's suspension comes after the 27-year-old completed the necessary Anti-Discriminatory programs after being suspended during MLS Cup playoffs action in October. Wagner was suspended after using a racial slur directed at New England Revolution player Bobby Wood during the first round of playoffs action in late October.
The initial three-game suspension for Wagner, who returned to the Union as a free agent this offseason, saw him miss game three vs the Revs as well as the Eastern Conference semifinal against FC Cincinnati, where the Union were eliminated 1-0 at TQL Stadium. He was set to miss the Union's opening game against Chicago Fire this weekend, but is now available for selection.
"Following Kai Wagner's completion of MLS' restorative practices program and in keeping with the MLS-MLSPA Join Anti-Discrimination Policy, Major League Soccer announced today that Wagner's previously announced three-game suspension will no longer carry forward into the first match of the 2024 season. Wagner is therefore eligible to play when the 2024 season begins," the league said in a statement.
The Union's first competitive game of the 2024 season comes against Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa in the Concacaf Champions Cup on February 20 at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Ayma. Wagner was already set to feature in the midweek clash as the MLS suspension does not carry over to the Champions Cup.
Philadelphia begin their 2024 MLS season on February 24 at Subaru Park against Chicago Fire, with Wagner now likely to start the game if he's fit enough to do so.