CHESTER, Pa. — Alejandro Bedoya has played at a World Cup and in some big leagues in Europe.
But for Jim Curtin’s money, the Philadelphia Union midfielder is currently hitting his peak.
“I think he’s playing as good as he's ever played in his career,” the Union head coach said after Bedoya netted the game’s only goal in Philly’s 1-0 win over Orlando City SC in Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal game. “I’ve been with him now for a short time so I can’t speak to his real younger ages at Nantes, but I think he’s playing exceptionally well. He should’ve been recognized for things like the All-Star Game. I continue to preach to my guys that if we have success as a group, the individual accolades will come, and by the end of the year, people will see that Ale is a Best XI player.”
What does Bedoya think that his coach said he’s playing at the highest level of his 10-year professional career?
“Ooh, big words,” the 31-year-old midfielder said with a smile. “I think I had some good runs in Europe, when I was in France and stuff. But look, I feel like I’ve been on a run where I’ve probably been one of the most consistent guys in the league. I think my play speaks for itself.
“I’ve been doing all the little things. If you watch me on the field, I think my passing has been great and I’m the guy that pretty much starts a lot of our attacks and is also able to intercept balls, get our defense going and counter-press and win balls back for our team. I’m just doing what I came here to do, be that No. 8, be that solid player in the midfield that can help the team out and get results.”
Bedoya has certainly made a huge impact in this year’s U.S. Open Cup, assisting both goals in the Union’s 2-1 Round of 16 win over the New York Red Bulls last month. But for a player who usually helps create goals, he was glad to get one of his own Wednesday, pouncing on a rebound in the fourth minute to deliver what proved to be the winner.
“It feels good, man,” Bedoya said. “I’ve been so close. Finally, it fell in for me so I’m happy about that.”
Bedoya was especially pleased that the goal came off a corner kick since the Union haven’t been especially proficient on set pieces this season. For him, the next step now is closing off games better as the Philly captain lamented the fact that the Union didn’t “kill off” Orlando in a game they mostly dominated.
“We just have to finish it off — then we’ll show what kind of team we are,” Bedoya said. “That’s the only thing we’re missing right now. I feel like we’re playing teams off the park at home, we’re playing better away. We’ve just got to finish our chances.”
And if the Union do clean up the parts of their game that are missing, and make a run at an Open Cup title and/or the 2018 MLS Cup, they'll likely do it on the back of their captain.
"You talk about a professional, a leader as a captain, a guy who has embraced a young group of players around him," Curtin said. "He does everything that does not show up on the stat sheet. He carries himself the right way, runs like crazy. ... He’s an example of how you should play the game."
