⚽️ Kai Wagner Suspended Three Games

Good morning. After all the drama of Kai Wagner yesterday there’s a game today. Wagner didn’t travel and will sit out the next three games. Julian Carranza might be a bigger concern though with a hamstring and may be better off not playing on the turf of Gillette Stadium tonight at all.

In the email today:

Philadelphia Union’s left back Kai Wagner will not be with the team for the next three games. Major League Soccer announced the three-match suspension as a result of Wagner violating the league’s on-field anti-discrimination policies. This development follows recent reports of Wagner’s non-involvement in the team’s travel to New England due to a pending investigation.

Major League Soccer’s decision comes in the aftermath of a reported incident that occurred during the Union’s first game with the New England Revolution on October 28. Initial reports suggested Wagner was under investigation for the use of a discriminatory slur. The league’s verdict underscores its strict policies against discrimination and its commitment to maintaining the sport’s integrity.

The suspension means he will miss the Union’s next playoff game against New England on November 8th and the if necessary the third game in the best of three series against the Revolution on November 12th. Depending on how the Union do with the rest of the playoffs, Wagner could return to the team for either the Eastern Conference finals or MLS Cup. The 26-year-old left back must also participate in mandatory educational sessions as part of his sanction.

Our take: Three games feels light and Wagner’s “but he started it” statement on social media was a weak apology does little to polish his image. Him playing again if the Union keep winning could be an unwanted distraction.

2) 🤕 Julian Carranza a Game-Day Decision

Kai Wagner won’t be the only star player potentially missing from the Union’s lineup tonight in Foxborough. Head coach Jim Curtin said yesterday that Julian Carranza will be a game-time decision due to some hamstring tightness.

That the game will be played on turf at Gillette Stadium could of course influence the decision.

“They’re putting him through some tests now and obviously we are a better team when Julian is there with us,” Curtin said.

Curtin acknowledged that missing potentially both Wagner and Carranza will be a challenge.

“This is a team that has found ways to rally around difficult situations and now have guys step up when they're called upon,” he said.

Jakob Glesnes, meanwhile, is recovery quickly from his sports hernia injury. Curtin said he won’t rule out a return later in the playoffs.

3) 🪑 Tweet of the Day: Front Three in the Front Row

4) 💧 Water Cooler: Left Back

Have additional thoughts? Reply directly to this email to comment, and see if we include your response tomorrow.

5) 🔗 Link Roundup:

• 🟥 Matt Miazga is being investigated for allegedly entering the referee’s locker room after FC Cincinnati’s game at Red Bull Arena. The defender is already suspended for Cincinnati's next playoff match against either the Philadelphia Union or the New England Revolution, after he was booked three times over the course of two matches of FCC's series win over the Red Bulls.

• 🏟️ A preview for tonight’s match.

• 🚒 Radnor’s PIAA Class 3A boys tournament game against Lampeter-Strasburg was suspended early last night due to a bomb threat that also led to an evacuation of the polling location at the high school.

6) 🏟️ Gamewatches

The newsletter today was written by: Sean Sullivan @Se_Sully and Matt Ralph @MattRalph_

Thanks for reading!