Philadelphia Union Captain Alejandro Bedoya to Retire After 2026 Season

Philadelphia Union captain Alejandro Bedoya is retiring. The club announced on November 2 that Bedoya will end his professional playing career when the 2026 season concludes, closing a 17-year career.

Bedoya is 39. He joined the Union in August 2016 from Nantes in France as a designated player and has worn the captain’s armband since 2017. In nine seasons as captain, he led the team to two Supporters’ Shields, in 2020 and 2025, and to the club’s first MLS Cup final in 2022. The Supporters’ Shield goes to the team with the best regular-season record.

He leaves with records, too. Bedoya played 287 MLS regular-season games for the Union, scoring 25 goals with 43 assists. He is one of three players in club history with at least 25 goals and 25 assists, and one of two to make more than 300 appearances in all competitions.

Before Philadelphia, he played in Europe: Orebro in Sweden from 2009 to 2011, Rangers in Scotland from 2011 to 2012, Helsingborg in Sweden from 2012 to 2013, and Nantes in France from 2013 to 2016.

He also had a long international career. Bedoya earned 66 caps for the United States national team and scored two goals. He played in all four of the United States’ matches at the 2014 World Cup and won the Gold Cup in 2013 and 2017.

He was known beyond the field as well. He was named the MLS Humanitarian of the Year in 2022 and won the Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award in 2023. Since 2024, he has also worked with the club on player development and front-office duties while still playing.

Club owner Jay Sugarman said Bedoya’s impact extends far beyond what he accomplished on the field. Bedoya said he will miss the city and the club, adding that he takes comfort in knowing he gave everything on the field.

The Union have qualified for the 2026 playoffs. Bedoya still has one last chance to chase the MLS Cup title that has eluded him.