A great honor for Kai Wagner: The Philadelphia Union left back has been voted into the “Best XI” for the 2025 MLS season. This is already his second nomination.
Philadelphia Union is having a strong season, finishing top of the Eastern Conference with 66 points and easily clearing the first hurdle of the MLS playoffs.
Kai Wagner has once again played a key role in the team’s success this year.
The 28-year-old left-back played in 32 of the 34 games in the regular season, 30 of which he started. He is Philadelphia Union’s ever-present, with 2769 minutes on the field, no one has played more than the Geislingen native. With his performances, Wagner has now also made it into the best eleven players of the season.
In the “Best XI” vote held by journalists, players, and officials, Wagner was voted one of the four best defenders in the league. Incidentally, alongside his teammate Jakob Glesnes. No wonder, as Philadelphia had the best defense in the entire MLS with only 35 goals conceded in the regular season.
Messi the most famous name – Bouanga for the third time
This is Wagner’s second selection, having already been named one of the best eleven players of the season in 2022. The most famous name is, unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi. However, the Argentine from Inter Miami is overshadowed in attack by Denis Bouanga. The Los Angeles FC striker has been named in the “Best XI” for the third consecutive time — the last player to achieve this was Josef Martinez between 2017 and 2019.
Philadelphia has lived up to its role as favorite in the playoffs so far after a strong season. Chicago Fire was not too much of a hurdle in the first round, and the winner of the Charlotte FC vs. New York City FC matchup now awaits in the second round.