Philadelphia Union captain Alejandro Bedoya’s participation at MLS Cup remains in doubt, but the midfielder is optimistic he’ll play some part.
The Union travel to Banc of California Stadium to face LAFC on Saturday to decide the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs having already made it past FC Cincinnati and defending champions NYCFC.
However, Bedoya was only able to manage the first 45 minutes against NYCFC having missed the Cincinnati clash altogether with a leg injury. The 35-year-old could be seen limping as he carried the Eastern Conference trophy on stage following the 3-1 victory against New York.
But Bedoya has still been able to train on his own this week in the lead-up to Saturday’s clash and is working hard to make the squad.
“My leg is still recovering, I’m training to the side still, but I’m gonna do everything I can to get on that field,” Bedoya told reporters on Thursday. “It’s still a work in progress, but I remain optimistic I’ll be able to play a part in the game.”
Bedoya has been with the Union for six years now. During that time, the 66-time United States international has seen the club lose in US Open Cup and Eastern Conference Finals, and even fail to make the Playoffs at all in 2017.
After all the hard work he’s put in to help the Union become one of the most feared teams in MLS, it would be heartbreaking for Bedoya to miss out on the biggest game in club history.
“For me you know this means a lot obviously,” Bedoya said of Saturday’s final. “It’s a culmination of all the hard work we’ve put in since I’ve been here. I was sold on the project, the ambitions of the club, wanting to go in the right direction, wanting to earn the respect and I think we’ve earned that.”
In Bedoya’s absence, Jack McGlynn has been the player head coach Jim Curtin has turned to in midfield. Though still just 19 years old, McGlynn is among the most talented players in MLS, and Bedoya is more than sold on his ability to continue anchoring the midfield.
“McGlynn is somebody I believe in a lot,” Bedoya said. “I think we can all agree that he has one of the best left foots in the game. You know he’s got great vision and the game has slowed down for him a bit now as well.”
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