When it comes to providing chances for his team, Kai Wagner has been one of the best facilitators of the ball for both the Philadelphia Union and across all of Major League Soccer in the 2024 season, and not just by defenders standards.
Kai Wagner is one of Major League Soccer’s best
The German LB is putting together another strong season on the offensive side of the pitch for the Philadelphia Union in 2024, one of his best ever by attacking statistics. But he’s not just impressing those who watch Philadelphia week in and week out, as his 10 Assists through 27 MLS games is tied for the 6th most in the Major League Soccer, and is the most by any defender playing in the league.
| Number of Assists | Player |
| 18 Assists | L. Acosta (CIN) |
| 16 Assists | Evander (POR) |
| 13 Assists | L. Messi (MIA) |
| 12 Assists | J. Gressel (MIA), R. Lod (MIN), D. Luna (RSL), A Rusnák (SEA) |
| 11 Assists | C. Arango RSL), C Espinoza (SJ), S. Moreno (POR), R. Puig (LA), D. Rossi (CLB) |
| 10 Assists | K. Wagner (PHL), R. Gauld (VAN), C. Hernandez (CLB), M. Klich (DC), N. Loderio (ORL), D. Mihailovic (COL), G. Pec (LA), J. Rosales (MIN), J. Stroud (DC) |
Wagner’s Historic Night
Wagner’s premier performance of the season thus far was his hat-trick of assists against New England Revolution in a 5-1 win back on July 17th. Maybe his best assist on the night was this ball that not only gave Tai Baribo his hat-trick goal, but Wagner his hat-trick of assists.
The 3-assist night made history for Kai Wagner, making him the only defender to produce at least 30 assists (31) across the last three seasons, and just the seventh player in Major League Soccer, regardless of position, to achieve that feat.
Another strong season in a strong career
Kai Wagner’s 15 assists in the 2022 season were the first by a defender in MLS history, and is a feat that’ll take incredible form and a bit of luck for him to reach or surpass with 7 games left to go in 2024. But that’s not because Wagner isn’t producing enough chances – Wagner’s 77 Key Passes, which is 2nd best in the entirety of Major League Soccer, is more than he had during 2022 when he broke the record for most assists by a defender in MLS history.
With a bit more form in front of goal for Philadelphia Union and their strikers, Wagner might be re-writing the history books yet again when it comes to assists by a defender. But regardless, in the season after Union almost lost him to free agency, Kai Wagner is still having one of the best attacking seasons of his career.
Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
