Marco Fabián’s screamer stole the headlines, but it was fullback Kai Wagner’s well-placed pass that set up the sensational finish.
Wagner’s assist, his fifth of the season — equaling the total assists of all Union fullbacks in 2018 — should have been the first of two on the day. Anthony Fontana’s second half goal came from the German left back’s hustle and cross. A deflection meant Wagner wasn’t credited with the helper, but anybody that watched the match knows where the credit should go.
The most impressive part of Wagner’s showing was that he was questionable up until the day of the match. A quad injury ahead of last weekend’s loss to Real Salt Lake meant one of the Union’s top performers was missing during their worst showing of the year. That helps explain why, despite losing 4-0, Jim Curtin made only one change going into the match against Chicago: Wagner returned on the left.
It made all the difference.
And that’s the truth: Wagner is a difference-maker. He has been all season, and he earned this Team of the Week honor.
