Kai Wagner's return to the Philadelphia Union has been a remarkable one, featuring three straight wins at Subaru Park for a nine points swing up the standings. The team's most recent triumph was a 3-2 comeback victory over Atlanta United on Saturday night, all three unanswered goals in the set up by Wagner himself.Â
After the final whistle, the German defender, who landed stateside less than three weeks ago after a seven-month transfer to Birmingham City in the English Championship, absorbed the post-win atmosphere on the riverfront, reflecting his team's second half rally.
Three straight Philadelphia Union wins -- this time by way of a second half comeback. What type of determination did it take to stay the course after Atlanta went up two-nil?
Belief until the last minute.
I just want to say to the fans who left early -- I saw a lot of people after the 2-0 left: Never go early, because this place is always capable of something special, and I think it was special what we showed today.
I think it was effort until the last second. 2-0 down at home, heads were down, but then we had to believe after the first goal. We know this fan base can help us to win important games. I think the whole team, the staff, everybody believed it after the first goal, and I;m just really, really proud of the boys. What a win!
Milan Iloski set the all-time scoring streak for the club tonight, and then you assisted both Neil Pierre and Ezekiel Alladoh. Izzy scored his first in MLS. Are moments like this why you decided to come back to Philadelphia?
Yes, of course. I want to help this team, and I think I did today again, and showed why John believed in me...why the team believes in me.
I just try to give everything my all the time -- my best. Sometimes it's working good, sometimes it's working better, sometimes it's not working, but I just try to be always positive, try to put as many balls in the box, and today we showed that we also can score some more goals.
I think when you saw the chance today, there's always, like in the last couple games, that we can score so many more goals, but today we just showed a lot of character and I'm really, really proud of the team.
Now the fans have been loud for you in the stadium over the past two weeks. How special has it been for you to get such a warm welcome back from these Philadelphia Union supporters?
Yeah, unbelievable. You heard it today again. I think every game there are like new people in the stadium, and to still receive this warm welcome..that's why this is my home, and this is my club, and this is my city. I'm just so proud to play in front of these fans. So proud to be a player for the Union. That's why I came back. That's one of the reasons why I want to be here forever. Hopefully we have a long, long love story.
