Wagner Reveals Secret behind Union’s Impressive Start, Promises Great Show against Nashville

Heading into matchday four, Philadelphia Union sits comfortably at the top of the MLS table, with three wins in all three games and a plus-seven goal differential. High-flying Union fullback Kai Wagner, one of the exceptional performers in a flourishing Union team, revealed what a reinvented Philadelphia Union looks like and gave away some of their winning formulas that have sprung them to the top this season.

Arguably the best MLS fullback this season, Kai Wagner tops the league’s chart for the most assists, producing four assists in three games. The German remains one of Bradley Carnell’s main weapons this season, ensuring their defensive style doesn’t hinder their goalscoring outputs in any way.

Wagner is on the top of his game

The 28-year old couldn’t have asked for a better season, recently earning a spot in the league’s team of the week after a brilliant display that was capped off with an assist at the 76th minute against New England Revolution.

“I don’t think I’ve changed my game,” Wagner said.

“It’s more about pressing and wanting to win the ball higher, and I’m in a better position. For me, the freedom to go forward, I’m really happy with. The service that I produce, I’m really happy too. Keep working, keep grinding, and Tai has to be in the right spot.”

Wagner on the Union’s start to the season

While the Unions’ flawless results may have caught many by surprise, Kai Wagner believes the results are merely reflections of a new working system that has been built in the team from top to bottom, especially with the arrival of Bradley Carnell and other new signings.

“No, [I’m not] not surprised. Everybody probably wasn’t expecting a start like this. I think the front office handled the job pretty good with the new signings, I think that was very big. We had a long preseason, all together,” Wagner explained.

Amid the accolades and pressure from the fans and media, the left back doesn’t doubt the team’s confidence in situations like this. He believes that the Union’s quick success this term will not get into their heads.

“…but we’re all confident that we can handle all the stuff, all the pressure, all the outside noise.”

While many of the new signings have hit the ground running, Wagner credited the man who has successfully managed their talents and has taken them from a side that struggled in the miry areas of the league table to a team that’s now soaring at the top.

Union, MLS — Image Credit: Philadelphia Union

Praise for Coach Carnell Ahead of Matchday 4

He highlighted the team’s culture of unity, attention to detail, and tactical video sessions, which Carnell puts them through, as some of its secrets.

“He’s focused all the time. He talks a lot to the players. He talks about everything, the video sessions, that really helps us.”

Ahead of their home fixture against Nashville SC on Sunday, Wagner admitted that while they “never underestimate” their opponents, the Union’s focus more on themselves than their rivals—more on their strengths than their opponents’ weaknesses.

“You can never underestimate them, especially when you play at home in front of our fans. We have to go out, don’t think about them,” Wagner added. “It’s a Sunday kickoff, a little different, 2 p.m. kickoff. Happy for the kids that they can go a little bit earlier to bed.